The cuts are not of our making - the whole of the public sector is facing unprecedented cuts. The exact scale of the cuts will not be fully known until after November 2010, however the Force has been preparing for these, working to the planning assumptions agreed by ACPOS, based on guidance from Scottish Government Officials. Initial indications estimated budget cuts across the next four years amounting to 9%, 5%, 5% and 5%.

The cuts announced in the Scottish Government budget on 17 November, indicate a reduction in police budgets in the region of 2.6% for 2011-12. Taking current inflation figures of around 3% into account, this could mean a budget cut of just under 6% for 2011-12. The full implications will become clearer over the weeks following the budget announcement.

The huge amount of work put into the plans and proposals to manage the anticipated cuts will be immensely valuable in ensuring we are well positioned to quickly respond to and manage a reduction of around 6% in our budget. Whilst this is not as deep a cut as anticipated, it is still a very significant figure equating to the need to identify savings of around £3 million. These are a scale of cuts, which have not been seen in modern times and mean we have to plan for cash cuts to balance the budget for 2011/12 and onwards.

These are unprecedented cuts, which have not been seen in modern times and have necessitated a consistent focus to assist the Force in developing a deliverable efficiency plan of cash cuts to balance the budget for 2011/12 and onwards.

Opportunities for sharing existing offices with partner agencies are being explored at a number of locations, which allow for the joint provision of services and shared maintenance costs.

The Force currently has 59 operational police stations, one of these being provided within a shared service point in a Highland Council premises in Golspie. Where some station closures have been suggested, alternative methods of delivering services have been identified or are being explored. In many cases officers were being briefed and dispatched from larger premises nearby, and these smaller stations were to a significant extent standing empty.

In some cases the Force is exploring the potential to utilise premises occupied by partner agencies to allow for the deployment of well trained and well equipped officers, who will continue to work closely with local communities and allow the force to maintain current levels of visibility and engagement. This would allow resources to be targeted to meet local community needs and priorities.

In the course of this review, detailed analysis has been undertaken to assess the viability of some police stations. This has identified a total of 16 stations which could be closed, with alternative service provision put in place to maintain a visible police presence in these communities. These police stations are Scalloway, Dunrossness, Stromness, Bettyhill, Lybster, Evanton, Cromarty, Barvas, Carloway, Ness, Tarbert, Broadford, Spean Bridge, Beauly, Drumnadrochit and Ardersier.

Supported by detailed evidence, it is proposed that reception hours would be reduced during the night for a number of stations. During these hours, telephone calls would be diverted to divisional hubs, which would be staffed 24/7 at the Force Operations Centre in Inverness, and police stations at Wick and Fort William.

It is proposed that the Divisional Headquarters buildings at Wick, Dingwall and Inverness will retain a 24 hour reception facility, together with Fort William Police Station. The Front Counter service at 10 police stations (Lerwick, Kirkwall, Thurso, Alness, Portree, Stornoway, Aviemore and Nairn, Dornoch and Tain) would have reduced reception hours.

Any stations without 24 hours staffing would have external telephones available.

The Northern Joint Police Board agreed the closure of a number of police stations at its meeting in January, in order to avoid a further reduction in police staff numbers and to maintain officers at highest possible levels within communities. This enables the Force to meet the reduced budget for 2011-12, whilst retaining officer numbers above a minimum of 761 for the coming year.

The proposals identified a total of 16 stations across the Highlands and Islands which could be closed, with alternative service provision put in place to maintain a visible police presence in these communities. These police stations are Scalloway, Dunrossness, Stromness, Bettyhill, Lybster, Evanton, Cromarty, Barvas, Carloway, Ness, Tarbert, Broadford, Spean Bridge, Beauly, Drumnadrochit and Ardersier.

In line with this decision, 14 of these Police Stations will close on 31 March 2011 with Stromness and Tarbert earmarked for closure during 2012-13.

Police officers will still be visible and accessible and working within communities as usual, holding regular surgeries in many areas. People can also still speak to an officer at any time by telephoning their nearest police station or dialling 0845 600 5703.

In recent years Northern Constabulary has carried out a significant amount of planning and preparation which puts us in a better position than many other forces or organisations to deal with the challenging years ahead. We are already highly efficient and have maximised resources into frontline policing. The measures taken to rationalise our estate and reception services allow us to retain the highest possible numbers of officers in our communities.

Closed police stations will be disposed on the open market in due course.