The Herald - Jul 31, 2006
Police vessel is ‘not giving value for money’
By STEWART PATERSON
A new police unit to patrol coastal waters and the River Clyde is not giving value for money, according to a police watchdog.
Strathclyde Police launched its marine policing unit last year, after almost 20 years without a patrol vessel, to fight crime on the west coast and on inland waters.
Two sergeants and 10 PCs staff the MV Strathclyde round the clock dealing with marine crime and helping to patrol seaside towns and villages.
However, Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary Andrew Brown said the force should look instead at using other bodies such as the coastguard and Fire and Rescue to deliver a service.
In a report, Mr Brown, said: "Whilst a service is clearly being delivered, HMIC has yet to see evidence to justify the significant costs. Progress will be reviewed during the next inspection.
"In the meantime, Strathclyde Police may well wish to consider an interim evaluation to weigh up the benefits of the marine policing unit against the service that could be provided without the unit but through enhanced relationships with other relevant service providers like Strathclyde Fire and Rescue, Maritime and Coastguard agency, MoD Police and Loch Lomond park rangers."
The service has a remit of 12 miles from the coast covering 4860 square miles of sea. The unit works with agencies such as Fire and Rescue, Coastguard and Customs on joint operations as well as patrolling the coastline.
There was a police presence on the River Clyde from 1938 to the 1980s when the introduction of the force's helicopter led to the demise of the service.
However, three years ago it was decided a vessel and team should be put back on the water.
Strathclyde Police pointed out that while there are other agencies providing a service on the waters, they are not able to provide a policing service which only they had the authority to do.
Chief Superintendent Charlie Harper said: "We felt there was a huge part of the force area where we were not aware of what was going on.
"The Marine Policing Unit provides a service to the marine community and the towns along the coast.
A spokeswoman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said they were not aware of the report but that they had no powers to carry out police work and few vessels and their resources were used up with their own operations.
George Parsonage of the Glasgow Humane Society, who patrols the river Clyde in Glasgow and liaises with police and other rescue services, said the more people working to save lives the better.
He said: "I am always pleased to see the police. The Marine Policing Unit is a good idea for the coastal communities and areas where there are marinas."