THE DALGETY Bay police station counter was closed for business 25 per cent of the time it was supposed to be open last year. 

It's advertised as being open 260 days of the year to the public but a freedom of information request revealed it was shut for a quarter of that time. 

The force said that 22 of the 65 days missed were because staff were sent to cover shortages at Dunfermline. 

And with the Rosyth station set to close, there will be concerns among the public about a reduced police presence in the area. 

Scottish Conservative Mid Scotland and Fife MSP, Murdo Fraser, submitted the FOI and said: “When Police Scotland originally made the decision to downgrade and close counters across the country it was done with the understanding that those remaining counters would be open as advertised. 

"This is clearly not happening in Fife.

“Ultimately, the loser in all of this is the public and it’s really important people can go to a police station as and when they need to.

“Many elderly and vulnerable residents will prefer to speak to an officer face to face and the failure to provide that, even on a reduced timetable, is bitterly disappointing.

“The last thing people in Dalgety Bay want to hear is that their community officers are off covering shortages in Dunfermline."

Police Scotland made the controversial decision in 2014 to close or reduce the operating hours of public counters. 

And in October last year, they put forward a proposal to get rid of 53 unused properties across the country, with the vacant Rosyth station in Crossroads Place set to be axed. 

Mr Fraser added: “Ultimately, I fully understand the staffing pressures Police Scotland is operating under and these closures will no doubt be a result of this, therefore it is important that the Scottish Government properly supports police officers in our communities.”

Fife Division Superintendent Irene Ralston said: “We try to maintain our front counter service whenever we can but, as an alternative, members of the public can access our services by phone and online.

“We will always prioritise Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy police stations which are open 24 hours a day, but it would be inappropriate to take officers from frontline duties in order to staff front counters. 

"This does mean that sometimes this service will be closed as officers are far more valuable in our communities, preventing crime and responding to incidents that arise.

“If a member of the public calls at a station where the front counter is closed, they will be able to speak to our service centre using the free public contact telephone and officers will return to the station if required.”