A small Dundee community group is taking on the might of Police Scotland, defiantly insisting it will not be “dictated to” by the national force
West End community council members and residents had a “passionate” meeting with representatives from Police Scotland to discuss the possible closure of Ryehill police station.
Over 200 people have signed a petition asking the force to save the station, which has been earmarked for closure as part of Police Scotland’s estate review.
North East MSP Jenny Marra is set to ask the Scottish parliament to withdraw the consultation.
Addressing the community council, Chief Inspector Gary Ogilvie said no decision had been made and nothing “was set in stone” as to whether the station would definitely close.
Attendees grilled officers over the course of the meeting, leading Chief Inspector Ogilvie to say the force would not be “dictated to” by the community council, a statement which riled some attendees.
He said: “Police Scotland will not be dictated to about where we put our resources.”
A minute was passed by the community council responding to the chief inspector’s remark, which said: “West End community council will not be dictated to by Police Scotland.”
The chief inspector said there were times the station was only manned by one officer, but he could not give meeting attendees an exact number of police based at the station.
Peter Menzies, chair of West End community council, said: “We were very disappointed Police Scotland didn’t have a more engaging reaction to the residents’ concerns.
“The chief inspector did at times seem quite dismissive of the concerns raised by members of the community council, elected representatives and residents.
“He could not give attendees a straight answer to the straight questions being asked.
“There was a united agreement from all of Dundee’s political parties at the meeting that Ryehill should not be closed.
“Policing in the West End has its own requirements, and the alternative — having local policing conducted from Lochee or Bell Street police stations — would not be suitable.”
Labour MSP Jenny Mara, who was at the meeting, said the closure of Ryehill police station would not fall in line with Police Scotland’s commitment to community policing.
She said: “It was clear from Police Scotland’s response that if the station is closed, then officers will be based at Lochee and Bell Street stations.
“These stations are not local police stations for West End residents, so this will not be a local service for West End residents. I am sure residents will not be happy with this.
“Closing Ryehill would not be in line with Police Scotland’s local policing commitments.
“I am going to call a motion in parliament asking Police Scotland to withdraw this consultation process.”
It is understood a decision on the station’s future will not be made by Police Scotland until the beginning of next year.