Single Scottish police force a thoroughly bad idea - Brown

9.46.37am GMT Fri 18th Dec 2009

Commenting on reports that the Chief Constable of Strathclyde Police force Steve House has floated the idea of a single Scottish police force, Liberal Democrat Justice spokesperson Robert Brown MSP said:

"Centralisation of Scotland's eight police boards is a thoroughly bad idea.

"Liberal Democrats are opposed to a one-size fits all approach for policing in Scotland.

"We need a police service that is responsive to local needs not subject to central diktat and centrally imposed targets.

"We have already learnt from the horrendous experience of big banks, huge government departments and centralising failures of all sorts, that big is not necessarily best.

"Centralisation is usually inefficient and inflexible, this idea should be junked."

Ends.