There are around 1,000 fewer police officers today than when Police Scotland was formed, new figures reveal.
Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson, Liam McArthur MSP, has today said that the Scottish Government must remain wary of workforce pressures.
McArthur said: “The job of a police officer is constantly changing. Officers attend complex mental health cases and face soaring cybercrime online alongside the more traditional expectation of visible community policing.”
He comments that this is done with almost a thousand fewer officers than what there was a decade ago, which adds serious pressure to the force.
He stated: “As a result, staff are quitting the service or going off long term sick, leaving those who remain feeling unsupported and stretched dangerously thin.”
He finished by adding: “It is no wonder that policing bodies have warned of a public safety crisis.
“The Scottish Government must heed these warnings and meet the needs of officers and staff through proper resourcing.”
The latest figures show that there were 16,553 full-time equivalent police officers in Scotland on 31 March 2025, compared to the 17,496 officers in first quarter of 2013, when Police Scotland was formed.
The Scottish Police Federation has previously stated that the service has been “asset stripped and basically used as a cash cow.”
Angela Constance, Justice Secretary for the Scottish Government, said: “These latest figures show an increase in police officer numbers, enabled by our continued investment in Police Scotland.
“This year, we are investing a record £1.64 billion for policing- and increase of £90 million on the 2024-25 published budget, and Police Scotland took on more recruits last financial year than at any time since 2013, with further intakes planned throughout 2025.
“The Chief Constable has made it clear that she intends to bring the frontline of policing to its strongest possible position and that frontline strength goes beyond an overall officer headcount.
“Scotland continues to have more police officers per capita than England and Wales and Scottish police officers have consistently been the best paid in the UK, at the minimum and maximum of each rank.
“Scotland continues to be a safe place to live, with recorded crime at one of the lowest levels since 1974, and down 40 per cent since 2006-07.”
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