 |
Rennie calls for Scotland-wide solution to armed response for Fife
June 5, 2006 1:31 PM
Following last week's publication of the Inspector's report into the performance of Fife Police which included recommendations on a Mobile Armed Response Unit, local MP, Willie Rennie, has called on the Chief Constable to seek a Scotland-wide solution to the issue.
Mr Rennie believes that it would be a waste of taxpayers money and a diversion from frontline police work to invest in an expensive Mobile Armed Response Unit for Fife only.
Mr Rennie said:
"Out of thousands of incidents in 2004 only six were spontaneous fire arms incidents. To invest in a specialist unit of dedicated officers with specialist training and equipment to deal with just six incidents a year would be an inappropriate use of resources.
"I therefore am urging the Chief Constable to open up a dialogue with his colleagues in other police forces in Scotland to consider a national response to this issue. Perhaps we could have regional Mobile Armed Response Units which would have the ability to move swiftly around the country to respond to incidents.
"Liberal Democrats want an effective, safe and secure response to this issue. The Inspector believes there is a need to address the issue but that does not mean that Fife must have its own Mobile Unit. Firearms incidents can be extremely dangerous and we must have a system that handles that effectively."
Willie Rennie's comments are in line with the approach taken by Lib Dem Opposition Spokesperson for Community Safety, Councillor Margaret Kennnedy. Sitting on the Community Safety Committee, she has spoken up for a Scotland-wide approach to this issue.
ENDS
What would you like to do next?
-
Subscribe for updates
Follow the party's activity on...
- Twitter:
- Liberal Democrats
- Facebook:
- Liberal Democrats
- YouTube:
- Liberal Democrats