More than 175 police buildings in Scotland are in need of repairs, with nearly 500 separate works required at an estimated cost of over £20m, according to figures released following a freedom of information request from the Liberal Democrats to Police Scotland.
Of the 460 repairs identified, 57 relate to fire safety, 33 to security, and 28 to roofing. Police stations in Glasgow account for some of the highest numbers of repairs, with ten needed at London Road Station, ten at Meiklewood Road Complex, and eight at Govan Police Station. The Scottish Police College in Tulliallan has 17 outstanding repairs.
Investment needed for modern policing
The request also revealed that an investment of £510m is required to upgrade the estate in line with modern policing needs. In 2024, the national force closed its headquarters in Forfar over concerns about the building’s structural safety and water ingress.
Lib Dem MSP Yi-pei Chou Turvey said: “The scale of the repairs needed across the police estate should be a wake-up call to this SNP government.
“With the number of sexual crimes at their highest level in over 50 years and an increasing number of complex mental health cases to deal with, Scottish policing is already under strain.
“Police officers need to be able to do their work in safe buildings that are fit for purpose - that should be a bare minimum.
“The SNP’s centralisation of the police has already failed to deliver many of the improvements and efficiencies that ministers promised.
“The new Justice Secretary needs to start getting this right.
“That means working with the police service to ensure they are well-resourced to fight crime and keep communities safe.”
Police Scotland response
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “In the last financial year, £27 million has been invested in refurbishing 22 buildings, and opening three new stations and other facilities across our estate. For the financial year 2026-27, we are investing a further £30 million with further station upgrades planned at around 20 sites.
“Our ongoing programme of upgrade work will ensure that Police Scotland’s estate can meet modern demands, allow for a visible and accessible police presence in locations that serve communities best, and provide quality accommodation for police officers and staff, and those in our custody and care.”
