TOP cops have vowed there will be no disruption to services should plans to close two of Renfrewshire’s police stations get the green light.

Proposals to shut offices in Quarry Street, Johnstone, and Dunlop Street, Linwood, will be discussed at tomorrow’s meeting of the Scottish Police Authority Board.

It is part of Police Scotland’s efforts to assess its estate assets.

A number of officers are already operating out of a new base at Johnstone Town Hall, with the old station in Quarry Street becoming increasingly surplus to requirements.

If the closure plans go ahead, officers from Quarry Street will be relocated to a station in Renfrew.

And police chiefs insist there will be no impact on efforts to fight crime.

Inspector Cassie Glass, who is based in Johnstone, said: “Johnstone Town Hall police office was built as a direct replacement for the Quarry Street police office.

“All of the Johnstone-based officers, including community policing and response, have now been relocated to the town hall and it is now at full capacity.

“The remaining officers at Quarry Street, on closing, would relocate to Renfrew, which they currently cover, over the next few months.

“At this stage, no decision has been taken in relation to Johnstone and Linwood.

“The proposal is to commence a three-month period of formal engagement with communities, partners and staff before any decision is taken.

“There will be no negative impact as a result of these buildings’ closure and we will continue to operate our current policing model.”

The new police base at Johnstone Town Hall is open from 9am to 5pm, with the exception of lunchtime closures from 12.30pm to 1.30pm.

The Dunlop Street station has been unused for some time.

If the closure plans are approved, police will consider offering both of the old stations for community use.

Ron Ewing, chairman of Johnstone Community Council, has welcomed the possibility of being able to use the Quarry Street office as a community space.

He said: “As the Quarry Street base isn’t used to report crimes and we wouldn’t be losing any community officers, the closure wouldn’t make any difference to the area.

“It’s a nice idea about opening the space for public use and it would be interesting to see what it is used for if that went ahead.”

To have your say on the plans, call 0141 435 8856 or email editorial@the-gazette.co.uk.