The number of police has reached a record high, new figures show.
Scotland had the equivalent of 17,496 full-time police officers at the end March, according to Scottish Government statistics.
That is an increase of 7.8%, or 1,262 officers, on the total from March 2007, shortly before the SNP came to power with the pledge to recruit 1,000 additional police officers.
There are now the equivalent of 60 more full-time police officers than at the end of last year, the figures show.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said the “visible presence” the extra officers provide on the streets helped to reduce recorded crime to its lowest rate for almost four decades.
He contrasted the situation with that in England and Wales where police numbers are falling.
“This Government is continuing to deliver on our commitment to put 1,000 additional police officers in communities, and police numbers in Scotland are now at a record high,” Mr MacAskill said.
“This visible police presence has contributed to reducing the recorded crime rate to its lowest level for 37 years.
“We have pledged to protect police posts and frontline police services, and although the numbers above the target will fluctuate over time, we will keep our 1,000 extra police officer promise.
“This is in direct contrast to the picture in England and Wales where police numbers have fallen to their lowest level since 2002 and are expected to drop by 16,000 in total.”
A “new era of policing came into being” on April 1 when the nationwide Police Scotland came into force, replacing the previous eight regional forces, Mr MacAskill said.
The first officers employed by the new force are included in the new figures.
“I know Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority will continue to deliver excellent policing and build on the high public confidence communities have in our police service in Scotland,” the Justice Secretary said.