LOTHIAN and Borders Police Board have offset the loss of three rural Borders stations by approving the purchase of two new community contact vehicles at a cost of £50,000, writes Kenny Paterson.
The board met at Newtown St Boswells recently and decided to back the recommendation by Chief Constable David Strang to introduce the vehicles, which could be stationed at Peebles and Galashiels.
Tweeddale councillor Gavin Logan told the meeting that the loss of the West Linton and Innerleithen stations, which along with the closure of Newcastleton are expected to save the police service £119,000, meant it was important one of the vehicles was based in his district.
The vans will be used by community beat officers in remote areas of the Borders as well as attending major incidents in the region.
Councillor Logan said: “This is a great step forward after losing so many of the more traditional policing facilities in Tweeddale.”