Warning over national police body

The new body aims to aid co-operation between police forces

The creation of a national police board has been criticised by opposition MSPs for "centralising" Scottish policing.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said the new Scottish Policing Board would look at cross-border crime such as human trafficking, fraud and terrorism.

The body was a key recommendation in a recent review by the former chief inspector of constabulary.

But Lib Dem justice spokesman Robert Brown branded the plan a "one-size-fits-all" approach to policing.

The national board will be chaired by Mr MacAskill, who said it would also seek to increase co-operation between Scotland's eight police forces.

Centralisation of policing in Scotland is a thoroughly bad idea Robert Brown MSP Scottish Lib Dems

He added: "This new body will make sure that the challenges facing our police do not impact on frontline policing and help ensure that Scotland's communities continue to be well served by our police service," he said.

"It will act as a single collective voice for policing, helping to strengthen governance and accountability at a national level.

"Already with our commitment to recruit an additional 1,000 police officers we have signalled our commitment to build policing capacity and capability."

The board, which was recommended in the review by former Chief Inspector of Constabulary Paddy Tomkins, will meet for the first time later this year.

'Constructive dialogue'

Mr Brown warned the proposals would be viewed with "huge concern across Scotland, where the value of local policing has long proved its worth to local communities".

"Solutions that are suitable for Glasgow or Edinburgh may well be entirely wide of the mark for Wick or Kelso," Mr Brown said.

"Centralisation of policing in Scotland is a thoroughly bad idea."

However, a Scottish Government spokesman stressed that a single national police force was not being planned, and added: "Scotland needs its eight police forces to be able to work together seamlessly."

Tory justice spokesman Bill Aitken said: "The Scottish Conservatives believe in the autonomy of our existing Scottish police forces with strong links to local communities.

"It is right that there should be regular and constructive dialogue between them to share best practice and policing priorities."

Mr Aitken also called for the Scottish Crime and Drugs Enforcement Agency to be given its own chief constable.

"Its role cannot be underestimated in Scotland's fight against organised crime and in cross-border co-operation," he said.