Police officer number pledge fulfilled despite slight drop

Police Scotland has fulfilled the SNP’s commitment to maintain 1,000 extra police officers despite a slight drop last quarter, official figures show.

There were 17,324 full-time equivalent officers on June 30, up 1,090 since the SNP began its first term in government in 2007.

Officer numbers have dropped by 172 (-1.0%) since March 30 and by 49 (-0.3%) since June 30 last year.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: “These statistics show our target to ensure 1,000 extra police officers is continuing to be met, and exceeded, and that is welcome news for our communities. Our additional officers are keeping our streets safe and have helped reduce recorded crime to its lowest level for 39 years.

“We have always said that police numbers will fluctuate over time and the most recent figure shows an increase of almost 7% since March 2007 and is still well above our target.

“This Government has kept its promise to protect police posts in direct contrast to England and Wales where police numbers have fallen to their lowest level in 11 years.

“I welcome the continued hard work by Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority to keep our communities safe.”