Scottish Government maintains committment to providing 1,000 extra police officers

• Scottish Government maintain pledge to committ 1,000 extra police officers to patrol streets

• Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill pledges to protect frontline policing in Scotland

Latest figures show the total rose by 1,139, or seven per cent, to 17,373 officers in the three months leading up to 30 June.

A bigger test is expected to come in April next year, when Scotland’s eight forces merge to one, in the hope of saving £106 million over the next four years, and £1.4bn over four years.

Kenny MacAskill, justice secretary, said: “The Scottish Government is continuing to exceed its commitment to put 1,000 extra officers in communities across Scotland and that is to be welcomed.

“Our communities are becoming safer - fear of crime is down, recorded crime is at its lowest level for 37 years and the risk of being a victim of crime is falling, backed by the additional officers policing our towns, villages and cities.

“People are feeling safer in their communities, and nine out of ten people in the 2011 Scottish Household Survey saying that their neighbourhood is a ‘very’ or ‘fairly’ good place to live.

“Meanwhile in England and Wales officer numbers are now at their lowest level since 2003, falling by over 9,600 in the two years since March 2010 and expected to drop by 16,000 in total.

“We will not let this happen here. Our plans for reform will ensure that the new Police Service of Scotland continues to protect frontline policing for all of our communities, keeping our streets safe and our people protected.”