A Scottish Labour General Election candidate has warned cuts to officer numbers mean Police Scotland will no longer be able to support community events in Fife, putting Armistice Day commemorations and other activities at risk.
Graeme Downie, Scottish Labour Candidate for Dunfermline and Dollar has been told Police Scotland will not be carrying out support for events such as Remembrance Day and Galas and that this will affect all events across the Kingdom.
With many events requiring Police support to ensure safe road closures, Mr. Downie is concerned that events may not be able to take place at all.
An email to Mr. Downie from Fife Council states: “Police Scotland has made us aware that they will not be carrying out the support they have done in previous years at some events such as Remembrance Day and Galas. The level of support given, if any, is to be determined on a case by case basis. All remembrance and gala parades…will be impacted by this change.”
The news comes just a week after it was announced that Police Scotland would no longer investigate every crime amid suggestions from the Scottish Police Federation that this was due to financial pressures.
Commenting, Graeme Downie, Scottish Labour candidate for Dunfermline & Dollar, said:
“It is a disgrace that SNP cuts mean not only will all crimes not be investigated but that important local events such as to commemorate Armistice Day are under threat.”
“It is a dereliction of duty by the SNP that they have let the situation slide to a point, where they are not only failing communities across Fife but the rank and file of dedicated Police officers across the country who deserve to be supported.”
“At a time when people across the Kingdom want to feel safe and secure as well as continue a strong sense of community, the news that crimes won’t be investigated and local events might not be able to go ahead or will cost significantly more will be a bitter blow.”
“At the next UK General Election, voters in Dunfermline & Dollar will have a choice to continue with the failing SNP and Tory governments or to deliver more Scottish Labour MPs who will deliver the change people need as part of a UK Labour government.”
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