03/02/15 09:34
Police target maintained
Police commitment continues to be exceeded with over 1,000 extra officers.
The number of additional police officers in Scotland is being maintained at more than 1,000 compared to 2007, figures have revealed today.
The latest quarterly strength statistics show that there were 17,254 police officers on 31 December 2014, an increase of 6.3 per cent or 1,020 officers since March 31, 2007.
Commenting on the publication, Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said:
“Recorded crime is at a 40 year low while this Government is continuing to deliver on our commitment to put 1,000 additional police officers in communities, which we’ve met every quarter since 2011.
“We have always said that police numbers will fluctuate and this publication shows we are continuing to exceed the target while keeping costs down. Alongside Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority, we are strongly committed to delivering 1,000 additional officers.
“This is in direct contrast to the picture in England and Wales where police numbers have fallen to their lowest level in since 2001 and are expected to drop even further, by more than 15,000 in total.”