Scottish Government
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Police target maintained
Commitment continues to be exceeded with over 1,000 extra officers.
The number of additional police officers in Scotland is being maintained at more than 1,000 compared to 2007, figures have revealed today.
The latest quarterly strength statistics show that there were 17,261 police officers on September 30 2015, an increase of 6.3% per cent or 1,027 officers since March 31, 2007.
Commenting on the publication, Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said:
“Recorded crime is at a 41 year low, with violent crime down 55 per cent since 2006-07 and this Government’s commitment to maintain police officer numbers above 17,234 has been met in every quarter of this administration.
“These strong statistics are backed by over 1,000 extra police officers that this Government has delivered since 2007 and are testament to the hard work of all officers and support staff within Police Scotland in ensuring communities across Scotland are safer.
"Police officer numbers continue to exceed targets and demonstrates that, through working in partnership with Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority, we continue to exceed the commitment we gave to the people of Scotland to deliver 1,000 additional officers.
“By contrast, police numbers in England and Wales have already fallen by over 15,000 since 2007 to their lowest level since 2001, and, according to HMIC, are expected to drop by a further 7,400 by March 2018.”
Notes To Editors
The full statistical publication can be accessed at: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Crime-Justice/PublicationPoliceStrength/POQS2015Q3
