Police target exceeded

The number of police officers in Scotland continues to exceed the target set in 2007, figures have revealed today.

The latest quarterly strength statistics show that there were 17,324 police officers on June 30, 2013, an increase of 6.7 per cent or 1,090 officers since March 31, 2007.

Commenting on the figures, 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 seven per cent 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."

Background

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/publications

The police quarterly strength statistics have been published by the Scottish Government as official statistics since 2008.

Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority formally went live on April 1, 2013. This statistical publication is the first to fully reflect the new policing arrangements, giving officer numbers at a national level as at June 30, 2013. Further regional breakdowns will be available in future publications.