Police Scotland to create two hubs amid closure of four stations in Aberdeen

Police Scotland are to launch two new hubs in Aberdeen after announcing the closure of four local stations.

The new response hubs will be located at Woodhill House, in an annexe building next to the building’s main reception, and at the existing police station at Nigg.

It comes after police announced plans to close police stations across the country as part of their estate transformation strategy in December 2023.

Public consultations were opened on the proposed closure of Rosemount, Mastrick, Whinhill, Torry and Seaton police stations.

Following the consultation, Seaton station was declared as “surplus” and closed earlier this year.

Plans have also been approved to close the four other stations with officers based at Rosemount, Mastrick and Whinhill relocating to Woodhill House and officers in Torry moving to Nigg police station.

Speaking about the estate changes, divisional commander for the north east, chief superintendent Graeme Mackie said creating larger hubs at Woodhill House and Nigg would create a more “efficient and effective” policing service.

Mr Mackie added that officers will benefit from being a part of larger teams with more experience, support and resources available.

“Support functions transferred to the main building at Woodhill House in advance of the sale of Queen Street police station in 2022. Operational officers will benefit from being able to access these teams within the same site.

“Mastrick to Woodhill House is just over a mile away, as is the distance from the Rosemout base to Woodhill House. Whinhill is just over three miles away from Woodhill House.

“Having one fully utilised building instead of three within 3.5 miles of each other makes operational and financial sense.

“In the south of the city, Torry and Nigg police stations are less than two miles apart. Historically having two stations in each community was a benefit, but having two separate buildings has become less essential in today’s modern world.

“With investment in our fleet and digital device technology, plus significantly less traffic congestion in that area of the city, our officers are now fully mobile to be able to police the communities without the need for two physical bases in such close proximity to each other.

“Although I fully appreciate that the people of Rosemount, Mastrick, Torry and Ferryhill may be concerned, I would reassure them that there is no change to policing services in the area.

“Disposing of a building does not mean there will be a withdrawal of service from the area. I would like to reassure them and the wider community that the local team will continue to be active, visible and accessible, and the public will continue to receive the same high level of service from local officers.

“I also realise that for many, the physical presence of a police station has provided reassurance and confidence to the local community over the years. However, our presence in communities is not defined by buildings but by the officers and staff who work in the area.

“All of our buildings incur running costs and ongoing repairs and maintenance and in Aberdeen city it makes sense to dispose of the four smaller buildings to create bigger policing teams at Nigg and Woodhill House that can serve our communities more effectively.

“We anticipate that officers currently based at Torry will move into Nigg later this year and thereafter the building at Torry will be disposed.

“The creation of the new hub at Woodhill House will take some time and we anticipate officers will start to move later in 2025. Until then, all officers will remain in their current stations.

“We are committed to maintaining a strong presence across Aberdeen and ensuring the safety of local communities.”