Population change will impact on police and other public services

Minister for Public Service Reform Tom McCabe told a Population Summit in Inverness that senior officers were eager for a debate on rationalisation.

He said there was "clearly" a contradiction in one force covering almost half of Scotland and the other seven dividing up the rest.

Mr McCabe also suggested changes in the number of local enterprise companies (LECs) and councils.

On the police, Mr McCabe said: "Look at some of the comments made by some senior police officers in Scotland, they clearly see there is a case for a debate.

"They are interested in a debate, interested in examining what is the best way forward for effective policing in our communities and we very much want to encourage that."

Out of a population of five million, 2.2 million people live within the boundaries of the Strathclyde Police area.

No specifics

Mr McCabe said the debate would be driven by the "needs of the Scottish population", but declined to give specifics on the numbers of police forces and LECs the Scottish Executive was considering.

The minister said local communities would be encouraged to suggest solutions on how best to provide rationalised, but quality, public services.

Northern Constabulary Chief Constable Ian Latimer said he would welcome an exchange of views on the future shape of Scotland's police forces.

He said: "Whilst I am not one for the status quo or protectionist for the sake of it, I think there is a debate which actually needs to be had in the sense that we are the largest geographical force in the UK."

Northern's force area was the safest place to live in the UK and its officers were held in "high regard" by local communities, Mr Latimer added.