Single police force to go ahead in Scotland

A new national police force is to be created in Scotland after it was voted through the Scottish Parliament, prompting claims that the move will place too much power in the hands of politicians.

The current set-up of eight regional forces will be merged into a single body, after the overhaul was passed by MSPs last night. The country’s eight fire services are also being amalgamated.

The move has been designed to create estimated 'efficiency savings' of £1.7 billion over 15 years. But opposition parties fear it could hand the SNP government too much power to get rid of the new head of the force if there is a clash.

Both the new national police and fire service will come into force next April. The bill last night was eventually backed by Labour, although the Tories abstained while the Lib Dems and Greens voted against it.

For the full story from scotsman.com, click here.

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