'Police on the street to rise'

More officers will police the streets in Scotland's biggest force area under plans revealed by the country's top chief constable.

Strathclyde Police Chief Constable Stephen House said five times more constables will go back on the beat.

The number of officers on patrol every day would rise from 500 to 2,600 in the plans which will see "old-style policing with a hard edge".

They will be backed by 2,000 other officers who will only respond to 999 calls and other emergencies.

Mr House said: "We are giving the public what they demand - more officers on the street to reduce the fear of crime and make people feel safer."

He said the overhaul, which will come into effect next Monday, can be achieved through a rethink of shift patterns and how officers are deployed.

The moves come as British police forces are facing massive budget cuts and job losses.

He added: "We have surveyed each area and asked people what they want from the police.

"The biggest issues seem to be drunk and disorderly behaviour, drug misuse and speeding. We will also be using community officers to monitor known sex offenders and domestic abusers. We take domestic abuse very seriously as an offence."