MSPs have today welcomed record number of Police Officers on the beat in Glasgow and across Scotland. Quarterly figures published by Scotland’s Chief Statistician show a continued rise in the number of police officers employed by the eight Scottish police forces.

Furthermore, statistics have shown that Strathclyde Police now employs 7,995 officers – a record high.

Commenting on the increase of officers in Glasgow Anne McLaughlin MSP said: "The Scottish Government is well on its way to recruiting a further 1,000 officers in Scotland. The latest figures show an additional 131 officers employed by Strathclyde Police Force to keep communities in Glasgow safer.  With constant reports of vicious assaults on our City’s streets the Scottish Government is equipping the Police with more officers to help win the battle against crime."

Bob Doris MSP remarked: "This success is due to the joint work between both the Scottish Government and Chief Constable Stephen House. Its not just record levels of officers in Glasgow, it’s about getting them on the streets more often and creating a safer city. With changing shift patterns this has also been achieved."

Continuing on, figures released show that Scotland has its highest ever number of officers at 16,675 (full time equivalent).

On hearing about the rise in officers Bill Kidd MSP said: "During the 2007 elections the SNP promised to put 1,000 extra officers on the beat – today’s figures show we are on the way to achieving this. In other parts of the UK police numbers are being cut back, whereas here the Scottish Government is committed to delivering a safer Scotland through continued increases to police numbers."

MSP for Glasgow Sandra White commented: "In one year the SNP has increased the number of bobbies on the beat in Glasgow by 336 – this is a firm commitment to fight crime by having officers on the streets not stuck behind a desk filling out paperwork. These latest figures are to be welcomed, we will continue to work with the Scottish Government and Strathclyde Police to ensure Glasgow continues to be given its fair share of resources to tackle the mindless violence that blights the streets of Glasgow."

Notes:

1. The latest figures on police numbers in Scotland – covering the period up to the end of 2008 can be found here.

2. All Scotland’s police forces reached record high numbers in either the last quarter or the quarter before.

3. The report from on police officer numbers south of the border being cut can be read here.

4. Strathclyde Police now employ 7955 officers compared to 7824 during the last quarter