A new police station has been opened in the heart of an Aberdeenshire town.
The Laurencekirk office was formally unveiled to the public at a ceremony yesterday, which police say marks their commitment to keeping people safe in the Mearns.
The ceremony was attended by Assistant Chief Constable Campbell Thomson, Chief Superintendent Mark McLaren, local police commander for Aberdeenshire and Moray, and Chief Inspector Richard Craig, area commander.
The purpose-built facility shares its site with the new Mearns Academy Campus and provides accommodation for the Mearns Community Policing Team.
It is hoped that by opening the station on the same site as the school, police will be more visible and accessible and therefore make the community feel safer.
Police constables, special constables and sergeants will all be based at the office.
Ch Supt McLaren said: “Today’s event reflects Police Scotland’s long term investment in modern community policing across the north-east of Scotland. We are delighted to have this new facility and it represents our commitment to partnership working across the area.
“Strong visibility and local policing is at the heart of what we do and this new resource will allow us to deal with local needs. It also allows us to develop longer term solutions to some of the issues in our communities.
“Investing in modern facilities where our officers can base themselves in the heart of communities helps them to provide the right response.”
Ch Insp Craig added: “I am pleased to see that the new police office on the site of the Mearns Academy Campus is already benefiting the community. We will continue to work with partners to address local concerns and this new facility will only help us to strengthen the strong relationships which have already been established.
“The foundations of Police Scotland are built on strong local policing which serves the public and delivers upon the needs of communities from the most urban environments to the most rural.”