KINCARDINE and Rosyth could be about to lose their police stations for good after a proposal by Police Scotland to get rid of 53 unused properties across the country.

All of the bases are already considered empty or soon to be empty and are no longer deemed necessary to provide policing services to local communities.

The Rosyth station, at Crossroads Place, has been vacant since last year however it is occasionally used by officers for a refreshment break during their patrol. 

Police Scotland said the facility at Kincardine, on Feregait, is rarely used.

Rosyth Community council chairperson Danny Hughes said they raised the matter at their community council meeting on Tuesday.

There have been general concerns raised that closing police stations could have a negative impact on crime and reduce the force's presence in communities, but he told the Press: "The general consensus was that nobody has any strong objections to this, as the station has not been manned for several years. 

“Our two community officers operate from Dalgety Bay Police Station at present which they are quite satisfied with.

“Police Scotland, like most organisations these days, are not as well funded as they would like and we feel that the money raised from the disposal can be put to better use like community policing.”

However, Kincardine Community Council chairperson Donald Campbell was disappointed that their facility may close for good.

“It is mostly used by the community police officers who have surgeries there,” he said.

“It is good to be able to pop down and let them know what is happening. 

"If it was to close, we would lose that and have to go somewhere else for it.”

West Fife Local Area Commander, Chief Inspector Irene Ralston, said the station at Kincardine had not been used as an operational police station for many months and was no longer fit for purpose.

“No officers are based at the premises and it has no front counter facilities,” she explained.

“At the moment, no decision has been made to dispose of any station including Kincardine.

“We will shortly commence a consultation process with local communities and partners seeking their feedback and views on the future use of empty stations. 

“Maintaining empty stations does not provide best value for local communities, but it is important that local communities are involved and have their say hence the reason we are consulting before any decision is made.”

A three-month public engagement exercise is now to take place. If the stations end up going under the hammer, groups and locals could take ownership under the Community Empowerment Act.