Police station damaged by storm to close 'indefinitely'

Police Scotland have relocated officers from Forfar Police Station to the local council headquarters due to health and safety concerns.

The building, on West High Street, suffered significant damage during Storm Babet in 2023 and was closed earlier this month.

A spokesperson said staff and officers would begin moving to Angus House at the Orchardbank Business Park this week.

Officers hope to move in to a permanent home in the town in the near future.

The station was not on the list of 29 earmarked for closure as part of a Police Scotland drive to bridge a budget gap in December.

Large parts of Angus bore the brunt of the storm in October last year.

Hundreds of homes were affected, while Angus council estimated repairing damage caused by surging floods at £4m.

Ch Insp Ross Fitzgerald, area commander for the region, said officers had intended to remain at the office until a suitable alternative location could be found.

But he said the health and safety of staff was paramount after a public consultation on vacating the building.

He said: “When we opened public consultation in July on our proposal to relocate, our intention was to remain at West High Street until a decision was approved and a new location was ready.

“However, the health and safety of our officers and staff is a top priority, and unfortunately a compliance concern arose which necessitated the difficult decision to close the building.

“Angus House in Forfar will provide our officers with a suitable, modern and safe environment to work in for the time being, and we are very grateful to Angus Council for assisting us at such short notice.”

A total of 117 local residents responded to the consultation.

Ch Insp Fitzgerald said front counter services would remain in operation in Arbroath, about 15 miles away, and Dundee.

Bosses said they hoped to secure the use of William Wallace House, close to the council headquarters, as a new front office location.

Angus Council leader, Bill Duff, said: “The police have acted very responsibly in vacating the building on West High Street and it shows an appropriate concern for the public and their staff.

“Moving to Angus House is a creative solution demonstrating the close partnership working that we enjoy between Police Scotland and the council, and it is good to see them maintain a presence in Forfar.”