SNP under fire over police recruitment

labour claims it will take 13 years to reach target of 1,000 extra officers

By Tim Pauling

Published:

A political row has broken out as Scottish police numbers hit record levels this summer.

Figures released by the Scottish Government show 16,339 officers were employed at the end of June, a rise of 118 on the first quarter of the year.

It compares to 16,265 in June last year, the month after the SNP came to power.

Ministers said there were now more police than before. But Labour criticised the SNP for not meeting their manifesto commitment of 1,000 extra officers, claiming at the current rate of recruitment it will take at least 13 years.

Over the 12 months, Grampian Police’s strength rose by 56 to 1,466, and Northern Constabulary’s force increased by 25 to 732. Tayside Police rose by eight to 1,175, while Central Police got 11 extra officers taking their total to 836.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said 150 officers were recruited and paid for by the government last year with another 450 to be funded this year, over and above individual forces’ recruitment plans. “We inherited the lowest recruitment since devolution, with many officers due to retire,” he said.

“We’ve tackled that challenge head on and, although these latest figures are reassuring, there remains much work to be done.

“But we are confident the resources and policies now in place will deliver improved policing for Scotland.”

Labour justice spokesman Paul Martin said the extra 74 officers since June last year represented “926 broken promises from the SNP”.

“We welcome the recruitment of every new officer but at this rate of progress it will take over 13 years for the SNP to meet its manifesto commitment,” he said.

Tory justice spokesman Bill Aitken said it was due to pressure from his party that the SNP agreed to provided 1,000 additional officers by 2011.

“Our continued role is to press the Scottish government to meet its promises.”