Highland Council welcomes creation of NDEU in Inverness

The Deputy Leader of The Highland Council, Cllr Alasdair Christie has welcomed the creation of the Police Scotland National Database Enquiry Unit (NDEU) in Inverness with the new service starting today (1 May 2018).

The NDEU will support operational policing by undertaking live time database checks for frontline officers across the North and East of Scotland.

Cllr Christie said: “I am pleased to see the plans for the NDEU come to fruition at last in Inverness. We have worked very hard to keep a significant police service function in Inverness and although the NDEU will not now cover the whole of Scotland, we have established a key principle in that a national service can be based in the Highlands.

He added “The Council remains disappointed at the decision to close the control room in Inverness, as our preferred model is, and always has been, a joint 999 control room based in Inverness.  However we accept the decision has been made and we very much hope that the new arrangements will be effective and succeed given how important this service is.”

Scrutiny Lead for the Highland Council, Cllr Mathew Reiss said: “In our scrutiny role, the Council will be watching with interest and monitoring the effectiveness of the new arrangements and look forward to seeing the Inverness NDEU going from strength to strength in the service it provides.   

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the committed and professional staff who have provided an excellent local service for the Highlands and Islands over many years and wish those remaining staff well in their new and vital role.”