MONTHLY POLICE REPORTS to Moray’s network of community councils will be restored just weeks after they were withdrawn by Police Scotland.
Last month Community Councils were informed that the time taken to prepare reports and have officers attend meetings was no longer sustainable.
However, following the matter being raised by Douglas Ross MSP, who is the Tory opposition spokesman on Justice at the Scottish Parliament, the decision has been delayed pending further consultations.
After failing to get a change to the decision by local police chiefs, the MSP took his case to Police Scotland’s national HQ – and it was relayed to Mr Ross in a written reply from Deputy Chief Constable Rose Fitzpatrick that a hold was being placed on the move.
Mr Ross said: “As an MSP for the area and Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Justice I am very well aware of the importance to local community councils and other organisations throughout Moray such as Neighbourhood Watch of the continued engagement with Police Scotland.
“The regular police reports have proved a valuable resource to community councils and village associations who then spread the information they contain even further.
“I was greatly concerned when a number of Community Councillors advised me that the Police would no longer be providing such detailed information and having originally had my request for these reports to be reinstated turned-down by the local Chief Superintendent, I took the matter up at a national level.”
The MSP and local councillor said that he was concerned that if the reports stopped for a significant time it would be more difficult to reintroduce them.
He added: “I’m pleased that community councils in Moray will continue to receive the information they require pending the outcome of discussions to be held in the coming months – and I know many community councils will accept this offer from Police Scotland to continue with their reports.
“Community Councils and other organisations play an important role throughout Moray and it’s only right that they continue to receive the support and backing of Police Scotland.
“I would encourage people to fully engage in the forthcoming discussions to guarantee that they continue to receive the information they require and to ensure that the positive links which exist between the police and local communities in Moray continues unhindered.”
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