Police Numbers In Slight Fall

The number of police in Scotland has fallen slightly, though the commitment made by SNP ministers to have 1,000 additional officers continues to be met.

There were the equivalent of 17,254 full-time police officers at the end of last year - a drop of 13 from the previous quarter and four lower than in December 2013.

But the overall total is 1,020 more than the 16,234 officers the SNP inherited when it came to power in 2007.

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said the picture in Scotland is in direct contrast to south of the border, where he said police numbers are at their lowest level in almost 15 years.

Mr 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.''