BARRHEAD Police Station could be closed as part of swathing cost-cutting plans outlined by Police Scotland this week.

The town is one of 58 communities nationwide facing the prospect of losing their dedicated police station as part of a review of the force’s estate that is aimed at saving to save up to £18 million a year.

Police Scotland has named the Bank Street building as one that does not match “policing requirements” – sparking an angry reaction in the Barrhead community.

Cllr Danny Devlin said: “It sounds totally unacceptable.

“As far as I’m led to believe, there’s not been any consultation whatsoever which is sad.

“It’s going to have a massive impact on crime and disorder in Barrhead if the force is being taken out of the town.

“It’s going to affect law and order, it’s as simple as that.

“Instead of the police being two minutes away, they’d be 20 minutes away.

“It’s all down to the SNP cuts, they’re destroying the local identity of Barrhead.”

SNP councillor Tommy Reilly told the News: “It’s disappointing to say the least.

“It’s detrimental to the area because people feel safer if they have somewhere to go to where they can get help – they need a physical police presence in the town.

“I know the public counter got cut the last time but they need to keep a public presence.

“If it’s out for consultation I’d certainly like to be consulted on it because I don’t think it’s a good idea at all.”

“It would be interesting to know if there are alternative proposals, it might be a rearrangement of resources. I dare say we’ll need to just wait and see.”

Barrhead has been without a late-night public police desk for two years since a cost-cutting exercise saw more than 60 public counters throughout Scotland have their opening hours reduced.

Giffnock Police Office, which serves as a base for East Renfrewshire’s chief inspector, was also listed.

The latest review, which could save the force between £5m and £18m a year, could allow for some buildings to be retained while others may be declared “surplus to requirements”.

As a result, some officers could be forced to share an office with other public agencies.

Gordon Crossan, president of the Association of the Scottish Police Superintendents, insisted the new measures will help to improve efficiency.

He said: “Many of these stations are already obsolete, they’re expensive to run, they’ve limited facilities, so we’re reviewing that to see what could provide a better service for the public for the money that they give us to deliver policing.”

Assistant chief constable Andrew Cowie added: “Engagement will be carried out by local policing teams to ensure any future decisions are built upon local consultation with communities and partners to ensure our estate continues to meet our needs and the needs of the public.”