Record Numbers of Police in Scotland

Details

Friday, 03 August 2012

Clydesdale Constituency MSP Aileen Campbell has welcomed figures which show Police numbers in Scotland have reached 17,436, the highest ever recorded level in stark contrast to the latest Police figures for England & Wales.

The most recent quarterly strength statistics for Scotland show that the number of officers has increased by 7.4 percent or 1,202 officers between March 31, 2007 and March 31, 2012.

At the same time police numbers in England & Wales are revealed to have fallen to their lowest level in nine years.

Figures from the Home Office released today reveal that full-time equivalent officers in the 43 forces in England and Wales fell by 5,000 (3.6 per cent) compared to a year earlier, and have fallen by 9,625 since the 2010 general election.

Clydesdale’s MSP says the contrast in police numbers north and south of the border could not be more different.

Commenting on the figures she said:

“The figures could not be more stark between Scotland and England & Wales – while police officer numbers south of the border are at a nine-year low, they are at a record high in Scotland. This is definitely ‘a tale of two governments’.

“Whilst police officer numbers are cut where the Westminster Tory-led government makes decisions, the Scottish Government has delivered and retained over 1,000 extra police officers for Scotland.

“I know how important it is to the people of Clydesdale to have a visible police presence on the streets of our towns and villages and we all appreciate the difference good policing can have in the community.

“That’s why I warmly welcome these figures which show the highest ever number of police officers in our communities the length and breadth of Scotland.

“Crime is at a 35 year low, fear of crime is down, the risk of being a victim of crime in Scotland is falling and is lower than in England and Wales. People are feeling safer in their communities and these record police numbers prove that this Government is delivering on its commitments to protect police services and deter crime.

“We can all be proud of our police and the excellent job they do, that’s why the Scottish Governments plans for a new Police Service of Scotland will ensure that frontline policing is protected and our communities kept safe.

“However, there is no room for complacency and I will continue to listen to the concerns of my constituents and work closely with the local police to ensure that we can build on the successes to date”.