New policing arrangements for Beauly and Muir of Ord
Issued on behalf of the Northern Joint Police Board
The Northern Joint Police Board has confirmed future policing arrangements in the Beauly/Muir of Ord area.
At its last meeting, the Board delegated to Board Clerk, Michelle Morris, and Northern Constabulary Chief Constable Ian Latimer the responsibility of making the final decision, in consultation with the Convener and Vice Convener, and further to consultation with councillors in Aird and Loch Ness and Dingwall and Seaforth.
It has been agreed that Muir of Ord Police Station will continue to provide a service to the public and that it should be developed as a shared service community hub, with the Service Point at Muir of Ord relocating to the police station at a date yet to be determined.
It has also been agreed that Beauly Police Station will close with effect from 31 March, but that police officers , based at Muir of Ord, will provide regular surgeries in the village. Initially, these will be held within the police station at Beauly.
The Board clerk has written to Board members and local members to advise them of the new arrangements.
She said: "As a result of recent discussions, the Chief Constable has agreed to the provision of regular police surgeries with members of the community in Beauly as a consequence of the station closure. In the first instance the police station will be used for this purpose until a suitable alternative location has been identified within the village. Arrangements will now be put in place to publicise the times of these surgeries to members of the public."
The Highland Council and Island Authorities and Northern Constabulary have been involved indetailed discussions over sharing premises throughout the Highlands and Islands to provide a more efficient service to the public. For example, Police reception facilities are being provided at Bettyhill and Broadford Service Points and local authority service points will be delivered from within Lairg and Gairloch Police Stations.