Localism Prioirity for Police Scotland - Keep Ryehill Police Station

 I welcome the publication of Strategic Police Priorities for Scotland by the Scottish Government. I particularly welcome the commitment to localism in the document which makes the case for investment in the Police Station at Ryehill in the West End ward rather than its closure which is planned by Police Scotland. I"ve written to Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for Justice asking him to support the campaiIgn by local people in the West End to keep Ryehill Police Station open.

I welcome the Scottish Government's strategic priorities for policing. The first priority is localism. This flies in the face of attempts to close the local police station in the West End. I think that the priority around 'localism' makes the case for developing the services available from Ryehill rather than for its closure.

Whilst localism is clearly the top priority which would lead to the retention of Ryehill Police Station all the other priorities set out in the document also contribute to the case for keeping Ryehill open.

I  will be making the case to the Scottish Government and to Police Scotland that the needs of the local community in the West End are to have a local police presence which is accessible and public-facing.

I have written to the Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Michael Matheson, asking him how the priorities that he has set out are compatible with the plans that Police Scotland have the closure of our local police station in the West End. Given Mr Matheson's commitment to localism I have asked him to support the campaign to keep Ryehill Police Station open and to sign the petition which I have launched on this important issue.

You can also sign the petition by clicking here  

https://www.change.org/p/councillor-richard-mccready-keep-ryehill-police-station-open?lang=en-GB  

Richard Sloan RIP

I was saddened to hear of the death of my friend and comrade Richard Sloan.  Many people like me will know Richard through politics but at this sad time it is important to remember Richard as a husband and father and friend to many and to pass on our condolences to Mairi and the family he leaves behind.

When i first met Dick Sloan he was serving as one of my predecessors as a District Councillor for parts of what is now my ward. Dick stood down from the council at local government reorganisation.

Dick and I worked hard in the run-up to the 1997 General Election to assist in the successful election campaign for Anne Begg in Aberdeen South.

I have enjoyed campaigning with Dick over many campaigns. I will miss his enthusiasm and his irreverent sense of humour.

I was speaking to Dick only on Wednesday of last week and we were discussing next year's council elections. It is an appalling thought that when that election comes round Dick won't be there to help.

Dick had recently been helping with our campaign to keep Ryehill Police Station open.

I shall miss his commitment, his intelligence and his sense of fun

My thoughts are with his family at this very sad time. Rest in Peace Dick.

Dick Sloan and me collecting signatures for the petition to Save Ryehill Police Station

.