Figures released under freedom of information show the maintenance backlog for Scotland’s police stations stands at £231.6 million. The greater Glasgow division holds the largest share, with £46.5 million of repairs outstanding, around a fifth of the total.

A report to the Scottish Police Authority last year described the police estate as unsustainable and not fit for modern policing, noting that alleviating the backlog would address the fabric of the buildings but would not in itself upgrade them for a future policing model.

Scottish Conservative community safety spokeswoman Sharon Dowey said the neglect of frontline policing has resulted in this truly staggering backlog. ‘It’s appalling that already overwhelmed Police Scotland officers are being forced to work in crumbling conditions. This is unsafe and can’t be allowed to continue.’ The Scottish Government said it backs efforts to provide a safe environment and pointed to increased policing capital spending since 2017-18, including a record £1.64 billion for policing this year and £70 million for estates to support the Estates Masterplan. A Police Scotland spokesperson said the Scottish Police Authority endorsed the Estates Masterplan in November 2024, a 10-year programme to improve the estate and welfare facilities; by the end of this financial year upgrades will have been carried out on a significant number of buildings, with the plan aiming to deliver uniform facilities across the country.