Lothian and Borders Police refer to a former police force that served the areas of Lothian and the Scottish Borders in Scotland. The term encompasses both a geographical region and the law enforcement agency responsible for maintaining law and order in that region.
Lothian and Borders Police were established in 1975 as a merger of the former city police forces of Edinburgh and Glasgow, along with the county police forces of Berwick, Dumfries, East Lothian, Midlothian, Peebles, Roxburgh, Selkirk, and West Lothian. This merger aimed to streamline law enforcement operations and enhance cooperation between various jurisdictions.
As a policing authority, Lothian and Borders Police were entrusted with a wide range of responsibilities. These included the prevention and detection of crime, maintenance of public order, safeguarding the community, responding to emergencies, and providing assistance to those in need. The force also conducted investigations, arrested and detained individuals suspected of offenses, and gathered evidence to support criminal prosecutions.
Throughout its existence, Lothian and Borders Police actively engaged with the local community, working on initiatives such as neighborhood policing, crime prevention, and community outreach programs. The force collaborated with other agencies and organizations, including the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, to ensure a coordinated approach to law enforcement and justice.
In 2013, Lothian and Borders Police were amalgamated with three other Scottish police forces – Central Scotland Police, Fife Constabulary, and Tayside Police – to form Police Scotland, a single national police service for Scotland.
