Police / Bill to keep Brae police station running nearly £150k over last decade
IT HAS cost Police Scotland nearly £150,000 over the last ten years to keep the Brae police station running – despite it rarely being used by officers.
The highest cost over this period, more than £51,000, relates to electricity usage.
The station is set to be sold off by Police Scotland after the organisation went out to consultation earlier this year on its closure.
Officers said closing the station would not change operations in Shetland as it is not routinely used.
Speaking at the time of the consultation, Shetland’s then area commander chief inspector Stuart Clemenson said officers supporting the mainland currently deploy from Lerwick and have done for “many years”.
Figures obtained by Shetland News through a freedom of information request shows that in 2024 the spend on running the station has already amounted to nearly £19,000.
In 2023 more than £22,500 was spent on the station.
Over the last decade more than £43,000 has been spent in total on repair work at the Brae station.
Other costs include non-domestic rates (£40,500 since 2015), waste, water and sewer charges and cleaning.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Brae police station was built in the 1970s in an age when the road network and transport options was not as advanced as they are now.
“Over the last eight years, local policing officers have mostly deployed from Lerwick and continued to support and serve the surrounding areas. The last officer based at Brae retired in June 2022.
“Vacant buildings incur running costs and ongoing repairs and maintenance and so it makes sense to dispose of surplus buildings and invest in areas where it is most needed.
“Over the last year we have invested in the housing for local officers on mainland Shetland. Officers play an integral part in community life and it is vital we support them to remain or relocate to these areas.”
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