Lib Dems Concerned By Police Scotland Firearms Licensing Reforms

Concerns have been raised that plans to reform Police Scotland's firearms and licensing sections could compromise public safety.

Liberal Democrat justice spokeswoman Alison McInnes has written to Chief Constable Sir Stephen House about the potential loss of specialist civilian staff.

The reform of the force has come under fire following the deaths of Lamara Bell and John Yuill in a crash on the M9 that took police three days to investigate.

Parliamentary questions lodged by Ms McInnes reveal that the number of civilian firearms licensing staff reduced from 35.5 to 32 during the force's first two years.

Over the same period, the number of civilian firearms enquiry officers (FEOs) also reduced from 41 to 34.

In her letter, Ms McInnes said she had been told that it was proposed to cut that number to 14 despite the forthcoming introduction of a licensing scheme for air weapons.

Ms McInnes called on Sir Stephen to explain the reasoning behind the proposed changes and give assurances that public safety would not be affected.

The plans are likely to be discussed at the next meeting of the Scottish Police Authority in August.

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: Operational decisions are the responsibility of Police Scotland.

This is a proposal by Police Scotland that will be considered by the Scottish Police Authority at its next meeting, in their role in providing scrutiny of policing in Scotland and any organisational changes proposed, to ensure that the basis for them is sound and that full consideration is given to any implications for public safety.

Police Scotland staff are currently being consulted on any potential changes and we expect both Police Scotland and the SPA to engage appropriately and meaningfully with trade unions and staff associations on organisational change.

We recognise that civilian police staff play a significant and important role in keeping Scotland safe.

We have always stated that we place a high priority on protecting front line policing in the face of the financial constraints arising from UK Government imposed austerity, and stakeholders have been aware from the outset that staff reductions were projected as part of the necessary reform process.

However, it is important to stress that there will continue to be no compulsory redundancies as a result of any change.''