BARRHEAD residents are being urged to have their say on how the town should be policed.

A 10-year strategy outlining the future of policing in Scotland has been published, with a public consultation to be staged.

Chief Inspector Angela Carty, area commander for East Renfrewshire, said: “The strategy is currently in draft format and Police Scotland will be seeking the views of staff, stakeholders and communities to inform what the final strategy will look like.

“With this in mind, I would like to give readers a very brief overview of the main themes of the strategy, what we aim to achieve by implementing it and ask them to become involved in shaping the future of policing in Greater Glasgow and across Scotland by giving feedback and providing their views.

“This consultation is designed to ensure as many voices as possible are heard to help the Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland design services to keep people safe over the next decade.”

Members of the public have until May 8 to share their views.

Chief Inspector Carty added: “The strategy has been developed in response to the changing demands on policing and shifting patterns of crime, often enabled by new technologies.

“Our population is ageing and becoming more diverse in terms of language and culture and the duty to protect vulnerable people is becoming ever more complex.

“None of us know what Scotland will look like in 2026 but it is important that, as an organisation, we try to look ahead and make changes to ensure that we maximise public safety and remain operationally and financially stable.”

For more information about the draft strategy, click here or write to Policing 2026 Consultation, Clyde Gateway, 2 French Street, Glasgow.