Scotland’s Deputy First Minister patrolled the streets of Blairgowrie as he sought to learn about modern policing methods in the town.
John Swinney MSP met with Sgt Nicky Forrester and local police officers to find out more about their roles.
Mr Swinney discussed local policing before accompanying officers on the beat to gain a better understanding of their role.
He said: “I was grateful for the opportunity to spend time with local police officers and to learn more about their daily responsibilities.
“It is difficult to overstate how important the work of Police Scotland is to our daily lives, and it is right that they are recognised for their significant contributions to Perthshire.
“It was also beneficial to have an opportunity to discuss local policing challenges and opportunities and to speak about issues that have been brought to my attention by constituents.
“I am always keen to meet with local police and it was particularly interesting to learn how new technology is being used here in East Perthshire.”
Officers explained to the parliamentarian new equipment allows police to report crime as they encounter it.
The investment is designed to speed up the process in which incidents are noted and processed, meaning less time is spent by officers filling out paperwork and more time is spent on the beat.
“New devices are allowing police to report to crimes remotely while they are on the move. This means that officers can spend more time on the street and have a much more noticeable presence in communities,” Mr Swinney added.
“This also means that they will have more time to do their job, which is to look out for crime and to keep people safe. It was great to hear how officers are using these tools and how they are assisting in day-to-day policing in Blairgowrie and the surrounding areas.
“In particular, these devices will be very effective when dealing with incidents relating to the new Domestic Abuse Bill which was recently passed by the Scottish Government.
“The Scottish Government is continually working to improve policing in communities across Scotland and make the most of new technologies available. Policing will always be a priority for us.”
