SNP pledge as '1,000 extra police' target missed

The Scottish Government has slipped below its key target of putting an additional 1,000 police officers on the streets since coming to power.

However, it expects the 51 probationers already at Tulliallan Police College, and the next intake of 124 beginning next week, to take it back above the 17,234 target.

Police officer numbers fell by 154 in December, after some forces froze recruitment last year following uncertainty sparked by an emergency budget in Westminster and a spending review in Holyrood.

The Scottish Government says it expects numbers to reach 17,270 by the end of this month, 1,036 above the number they inherited from the previous government in March 2007.

Numbers are expected to increase further, to 17,292, by June.

Justice secretary Kenny MacAskill said: "These figures demonstrate delivery of the 1,000 additional police officer pledge, this month and beyond the forthcoming election, helping drive recorded crime to a 32-year low and reducing the fear of crime in Scotland's communities.

"Despite unprecedented cuts to Scotland's budget from Westminster, the Scottish Government's agreement with councils to maintain police officer numbers has enabled forces to restart their recruitment processes, with a burgeoning intake of new recruits at Tulliallan."

However, Richard Baker, Scottish Labour justice spokesman, said: "No amount of spin can hide the fact that the police pledge has not been met."