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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Stephen Norris

Dumfries and Galloway councillors to scrutinise Police Scotland's local policing plan

Councillors will scrutinise Police Scotland’s Dumfries and Galloway local policing plan for 2023-26 on Wednesday.

And the police, fire and rescue sub committee will hear that the force will focus on five key priorities.

The report follows revelations that some community-based officers could be temporarily redeployed to ensure an effective police response to incidents and emergencies.

In her foreword, Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Carol McGuire, states: “The plan itself has been developed through consultation with communities and partners, analysis of current and emerging threats and risks, consideration to national issues and strategic policing priorities, which ensure that our local priorities are based on the needs of the Dumfries and Galloway community.

“Our priorities are closely linked to the local outcome improvement plan, with a key focus on the delivery of our shared outcomes.”

The five priorities – reducing violence and disorder, reducing harm caused by substance misuse, road safety and road crime, acquisitive crime and emerging trends, and protecting people most at risk of harm – will guide policing in the region over the next three years.

Chief Supt McGuire added: “Our local communities are at the heart of everything we do as is the local police plan – the areas of focus and the intended outcomes can only be delivered with the continued support of our partners and communities.

“I will continue to look forward to working closely with the people of Dumfries and Galloway and our partner agencies, to ensure that Police Scotland delivers a locally focused service .”

According to Labour‘s spokesperson on the sub committee, Linda Dorward, latest figures show in the three years to March 2023 police officer numbers in the region have dropped from 401 to 345.

She said: “This long-term funding model by Scottish Government has had a detrimental effect on frontline policing in Dumfries and Galloway.”

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