Police numbers in court to be reduced in dangerous plan

About 150 officers are on duty in courts to protect the public and staff from dangerous individuals. But their numbers are to be reduced as police numbers fall to their lowest level in 16 years.

Police Scotland made the decision after Chief Constable Jo Farrell revealed the cost to the single force of staffing courts was around £7 million a year.

Ms Farrell said: “Whether we can release officers, whether through our own re-design or resetting relationships, I’m committed to returning… officers to the frontline of operational policing.”

Scottish Tory justice spokesman Russell Findlay said: “It is right that more is done to prevent precious police time being wasted due to court churn when officers are cited as witnesses.

“But any reduction in a policing presence during trials cannot result in victims, witnesses or court staff being put at risk.”

A pilot reduction of police on court duty will start in Edinburgh this month.

David Threadgold, chairman of the Scottish Police Federation, commented: “In my experience of sheriffs, I would not be surprised if they had real objections to the plan to cut the number of officers on duty in court. If police are not going to be doing these important duties, who will be?”

A Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) spokesman said: “The SCTS is currently working with Police Scotland on piloting a new policing model at Edinburgh Sheriff Court which will maintain safety.”

A Police Scotland spokesman added: “The pilot will move away from having an officer in individual court rooms on a routine basis, towards a more risk and intelligence-based deployment model within Edinburgh Sheriff Court, with a small reduction in the total number of officers.”