A crime deterrent could be lost if police station public counters are axed, a Fife MP has warned.
Sir Menzies Campbell said the presence of stations discouraged criminal behaviour.
Scores of public counters throughout the country face closure in an attempt by Police Scotland to save money and standardise services. In Fife as many as a dozen stations could be closed to the public or have their opening hours reduced.
The North East Fife MP has asked Chief Constable Sir Stephen House for assurance the deterrent effect had been taken into account.
He said: “The presence of manned centres and public stations in remote communities provides more than simply convenience for the public.
“Such facilities operate as a deterrent to criminal behaviour since they make a public statement about deployments.”
Sir Menzies said there was considerable disquiet over the proposals in his constituency, where the stations in Auchtermuchty, Anstruther and Newport are up for closure to the public and those in St Andrews and Cupar will operate reduced opening hours.
He said: “From my own observation, the public police presence in Auchtermuchty has an impact on speeding through the burgh.
“There must be similar effects elsewhere.”
Auchtermuchty and Strathmiglo Community Council is due to discuss the potential impact on the village and the surrounding district at its next monthly meeting on Monday.
The station, which serves the entire Howe of Fife area, is presently open daily to the public from 9am to 5pm.
A recent survey found that over a 10-day period only five demands classed as core public counter functions were made of the station assistant, all involving found property.
Police Scotland said it would respond to Sir Menzies’ request.
The consultation continues until October 31.