Oakley police station earmarked for closure

A Fife police station could be closed in the near future. 

Oakley has been earmarked for closure as part of a Scotland-wide cull.

A new location for its services has not been confirmed - with a consultation underway. 

Police Scotland is also asking what to do with the station in Burntisland as it has been vacant for more than three years. 

The closure strategy hopes to help officers better meet the demands of 21^st century policing and highlight underused buildings.

Deputy Chief Constable, Malcolm Graham said: “Our estate needs to be fit for 21^st century policing, putting service enhancement, visibility, and engagement at the heart of the communities we serve.

“These are core components of the legitimacy and consent on which policing in Scotland relies.

“Our presence in communities is not defined by buildings but by the officers and staff who work there, and we have already introduced technology that enables our officers to remain in local areas, reducing the need for them to return to police stations to deal with paperwork.

“We are determined to continue to improve our visibility and accessibility, as well as to bring partners together to deliver services in the most efficient and effective way."

But Pamela Nash, chief executive of Scotland in Union, said: “This is all symptomatic of an SNP government which has driven public services into the ground over 16 years of negligence and chronic mismanagement.

"Now Police Scotland has been forced to make yet another difficult and unpopular decision.

“Police stations are essential safe havens, and communities worried about crime levels need visible and accessible police stations.

“Many will be anxious about public safety after this disappointing announcement.”