Closure of Scottish Borders Last Road Policing Unit Described as Sad Day

For the first time in nearly six decades, the Scottish Borders are operating without a dedicated roads policing department, following the August 31 closure of the region’s last traffic depot in Duns, according to reporting by the BBC. The withdrawal leaves approximately 2,000 miles of public roads without a local base for traffic officers, drawing criticism from police representatives over officer welfare and public safety.

Closure of the Duns Traffic Depot

The final traffic depot in the Scottish Borders, located at the Duns station, shut down on August 31, according to the BBC. This closure follows the earlier shutdowns of roads policing bases in Galashiels and Hawick over the past decade. Prior to the 2013 merger of eight regional police forces into Police Scotland, a traffic department for the Lothian and Borders region operated with three sergeants and 20 constables under the command of Brian Jones, who is now the vice-chair of the Police Federation.

With the closure in Duns, the four traffic officers previously stationed there have been relocated to Dalkeith in Midlothian, alongside officers moved from East Lothian. According to the BBC, these shifts mean many roads policing officers now face commutes of up to an hour just to reach their base before starting their shifts behind the wheel.

Concerns Raised Over Officer Welfare and Cross-Border Crime

Brian Jones, vice-chair of the Police Federation, criticized the changes, noting that the reorganization occurred without consultation. He told the BBC that it is a very sad day for the region to lose its last roads policing department after a 60-year presence. Jones highlighted potential commuter fatigue for officers driving to and from Dalkeith after night shifts, stating that senior officers are examining these welfare concerns.

Beyond local patrols, the historical traffic department engaged in initiatives for young drivers and motorcyclists and tackled cross-border crime through joint operations with police in Northumberland and Cumbria. Jones noted that the region no longer has the same level of interaction on the road network, including multi-agency road checks addressing travelling criminality. The federation has written to politicians in the Borders and traffic police commanders to formally raise these issues.

Police Scotland and Scottish Government Response

Police Scotland maintains that the restructuring is necessary due to ongoing funding pressures and asserts that the changes will not impact overall road safety. Supt Andy Barclay, deputy head of road policing, stated via the BBC that the force previously outlined the need to implement a sustainable model for road policing nationwide, confirming that officers will continue to operate in the Scottish Borders and provide a visible presence.

The Scottish government defended the state of policing resources, pointing to record funding of more than £1.7bn provided to maintain officer numbers at 16,500 under the chief constable. In a statement reported by the BBC, the government noted that Scotland continues to maintain a higher number of police officers per capita than England and Wales, with recorded crime falling by almost half since 1991. The administration added that a single police service ensures local divisions can access specialized expertise at regional and national levels when needed.