Dumfries and Galloway Labour councillor John Syme said local knowledge has been lost with the closure of the area’s police control room.
Mr Syme, vice-chairman of council’s police, fire and rescue sub committee, said when he called the non-emergency 101 number to report a traffic accident, the operator in Govan had no idea where he was talking about when he mentioned three local locations.
“In the end, I had to spell out each place to the operator and it was only after I explained that they are in Dumfries and Galloway did they find where the area was,” he said.
“I am deeply worried that if this had been an emergency situation, there would have been serious delays”.
Chief Superintendent Val Thomson said a review of a recording of Mr Syme’s call showed it was “handled professionally and accurately”.
“It is clear from the call that the call taker was not familiar with the location of this incident but, through asking the right questions, she quickly identified the exact location and there was no delay in dispatching officers to deal with the situation,” she said.
Dumfries councillor claims local knowledge has been lost
