Record number of police officers in Scotland

By GARETH ROSE
Published on 04/12/2012 11:55

POLICE officer numbers have hit a new high of 17,454 with the Scottish Government continuing to hit a key target of putting 1,000 extra bobbies on the beat than in 2007.

• Police numbers in Scotland at record high of 17,454

• Scottish Government have exceeded target of having 1,000 more police than in 2007 by 220 officers

The latest quarterly strength figures were released less than four months before the launch of the national force, Police Scotland.

There are currently 1,220 more officers on the beat than in March 2007.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: “Police numbers have increased again this quarter and are now at an all time high.

“There’s now a record number of police in our communities helping to keep our recorded crime rate at its lowest level for 37 years and the crime clear-up rate at its highest level in over 30 years.

“Meanwhile violent crime is at a 30 year low, crimes of handling offensive weapons are down to the lowest level in over a decade and Scots are feeling safer in their streets and communities.”