Ms Baillie has said that Police Scotland also failed to deliver its promise to relocate the front counter to the One-Stop Shop on Mitchell Way after closing Alexandria Police Station to the public in March 2014.

Ms Baillie told the Reporter: “People in Dumbarton and the Vale of Leven deserve a force which is easily contactable and rooted in the community. It is unacceptable that after cutting back on police station opening hours, promises made are now being ignored. I understand that Police Scotland is under considerable pressure from the SNP Government to make savings but people must be consulted before any changes are made to services.

“Given the the planned merger of K and L Division, Police Scotland must set out a plan to maintain access to police stations. This pattern of breaking promises is cutting services back by the back door.”​​ Chief Superintendent Helen Swann said: “I have received correspondence from Jackie Baillie regarding concerns around closures of Dumbarton police office within normal hours and I will look into the reasons behind these, however, I must emphasise that a decision to close is not one taken lightly and a last resort.

“Police Scotland continues to provide regular surgeries at the One Stop Shop facility in Mitchell Way, Alexandria, ensuring that policing remains accessible. Work is still ongoing to allow community officers to work from these premises on a permanent basis. Two community officers patrol the town centre providing a front line service.

“In relation to the proposed merger of L & K Division, I would emphasise that we are continuing to consult with communities. This is still a proposal and no decision has been made to merge Divisions or on the location of the headquarters for any new Division. In either event, policing services will continue to be delivered from the Dumbarton area by the Local Area Commander and local teams, ensuring policing is in the heart of the community listening and responding to the needs of the public.”