United campaign hopes to halt Glenrothes police call centre’s closure

People from across Fife have united online to try and save Police Scotland’s contact centre in Glenrothes.

More than 500 people have signed a petition to be sent to the office of Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, urging her to save the region’s call centre.

The founder of the petition, Allan Reid from Kinglassie, is targeting 1,000 signatures and says local knowledge is essential for the effective policing of the region.

“Fife is a complicated region of many towns and villages,” he said.

“To do away with local knowledge from any of our emergency control rooms is putting the people of Fife at risk.

“This does not need to happen. A person from Glasgow is not going to know the difference between Valleyfield and low or High Valleyfield.”

The Courier revealed a fortnight ago Glenrothes and Stirling would lose their police control rooms, where emergency calls are answered.

Across Scotland it is estimated up to 500 staff could be affected, either by relocation or redundancy. Officials feel the proposals will give a better service.