A vanishing police presence in a Perthshire village has sparked fears about future cover.
Community councillors at Stanley believe their local police station could be under threat after an apparent downturn in visible patrols.
The group said residents had reported dwindling police attendance over the last year, leaving a question mark over the force’s Perth Road HQ.
Local MSP John Swinney met community councillors to hear their concerns and has agreed to report back to police chiefs.
Community council chairman William Lindsay said: “You used to always see police cars parked outside the station it was something that was quite reassuring to see and it would work as a deterrent.
“But the station has not been properly manned for some time and we are seeing police in the village less and less.”
He said: “We know that frontline officers are doing their best under the circumstances and this is in no way a criticism of their work, but it seems to me that there is simply not enough officers to cover us properly.”
Locals claim officers have all but stopped responding to relatively minor matters like vandalism and theft.
“They have to remember it’s a two-way street,” said Mr Lindsay.
“We rely on the police for protection, but they rely on the public for information.
“A lot of people have started asking ‘what is the point of telling them anything if they won’t help us?’”
Mr Swinney said: “I have recently met with representatives of Stanley and Kinclaven Community Council who are concerned about the ongoing police presence within the village.
“They are seeking assurance around the Policing Plan for the community and I have contacted Police Scotland on their behalf.”
A Police Scotland spokeswoman confirmed no announcements had been made on the future of the village station, adding: “We remain committed to all of our communities, including Stanley.”
Earlier this year, police launched Operation Mithrill, a shake-up of its Tayside operations. The plan included new shift patterns for frontline uniformed officers.