McArthur: SNP creating padlocked neighbourhoods as 46% doing DIY security

Following a new poll commissioned by the Liberal Democrats, which reveals that 46% of Scots have either changed their behaviour or increased security measures at home as a result of concerns about local crime, Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Liam McArthur MSP has accused the government of "creating padlocked neighbourhoods" and urged the SNP and Greens to return to community policing.  

The party uncovered that in the last year:

• 18% of Scots have installed a camera doorbell.  
• 15% of Scots have installed CCTV in their homes.  
• 15% of Scots have avoided leaving the house when it’s dark.  
• 11% of Scots have bought a dog.

Scottish Liberal Democrats are now calling for a burglary response guarantee so that victims are visited by a police officer at the scene, and a meaningful return to proper community policing.    

Mr McArthur said:  

“The SNP's centralisation of policing was supposed to deliver savings that could be reinvested in the service but instead it has led to more officers stuck in the office doing paperwork.

"No wonder so many Scots are left feeling DIY security is their best hope.  

“The SNP's neglectful approach has seen officers removed from the streets, local police counters closing and padlocked neighbourhoods springing up.

“Scottish Liberal Democrats are urging the government to bring forward a burglary response guarantee which will ensure victims are visited by a police officer at the scene. We need a proper return to community policing to increase the visibility of officers and strengthen the safety of our neighbourhoods.”