Extra police resources are unlikely to come to Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands during the summer season, one of the area’s officers has admitted.
The issue of police manpower was raised by Kintyre and the Islands independent councillor Alastair Redman during a meeting of community chiefs.
But Sergeant Matthew Shaw conceded that officers who were previously seconded to the area during the tourist season will instead be based in another part of Argyll and Bute.
The discussion took place during a meeting of Argyll and Bute Council’s Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands community planning group on Wednesday May 1.
Councillor Redman asked: “In my ward, and across the board, I would say there seems to be a front line manpower issue. What is being done to address that?
“In many areas of the Kintyre and the Islands ward, the number of people increases dramatically in the summer. But we do not seem to have the manpower on the ground and I do not think it is enough for any problems that may arise.”
Sergeant Shaw responded: “I agree regarding this area, its infrastructure and the fact that during the summer months trade does increase.
“We have used summer secondment to meet this flux for the likes of Islay in previous years, and at one point had two extra staff.
“But the very short answer is that we did bid for these secondments again but did not get them. They were put into the Oban area because of increased demand.
“I am a firm believer in having logistics in place, rather than being reactionary.
“What I can say is that I put representations in beforehand saying that I did not think we were making the right decision, but they went in the opposite direction.
“I can see if there is still scope to look at summer secondments.”
Councillor Redman said: “There is risk in not having sufficient manpower on the ground. When it comes to law and order, I argue that it is like a game of Jenga, pulling away one block to see if it still stands without collapsing.
“We need to put law and order first, dealing with the problems in winter and summer.”
Yes! I would like to be sent emails from West Coast Today
I understand that my personal information will not be shared with any third parties, and will only be used to provide me with useful targeted articles as indicated.
I'm also aware that I can un-subscribe at any point either from each email notification or on My Account screen.