MacAskill calls for police reform

Mr MacAskill said he wanted more community policing

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has criticised the UK Government over a bid to free up more police officers for front-line duties.

He said he was "disappointed" and "frustrated" with their response over the issue.

He called for an end to the need for vehicle inspection officers carrying out roadside checks in Scotland to be accompanied by police officers.

He wrote to the UK Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly on the issue in October.

He said that while she had told him such powers could be extended to Scotland, she could not "make any definite promise as to when this will be".

Ms Kelly acknowledged that what we propose would lead to service improvements and result in efficiencies Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill

Mr MacAskill now wants Ms Kelly to agree an urgent timescale for giving inspectors from the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) the power to stop vehicles themselves - as they already have in England and Wales.

He said if that did not happen, UK ministers should devolve the powers to Scotland to allow this.

The justice secretary claimed that ending the requirement for police officers to accompany vehicle inspection officers could free up hundreds of days of police time.

'Widely supported'

He said: "I am disappointed by the response to our request for a change in the law, which can help us redirect more police time to where they and our communities want them - on the streets, detecting and deterring crime or promoting road safety.

"Ms Kelly acknowledged that what we propose would lead to service improvements and result in efficiencies, and she indicated that this could be achieved without the need for primary legislation.

"So I am frustrated by the lack of any commitment to a timeframe for delivering this widely supported change.

"I appreciate the legislative pressures at Westminster, but the Scottish Government is keen to give this issue a higher priority."

Mr MacAskill said changing the law in this area would allow police to spend more time "protecting our communities not chaperoning officials".