THE SNP IS IMPROVING POLICING IN MIDLOTHIAN NORTH AND MUSSELBURGH SAYS COLIN BEATTIE MSP

Local MSP Colin Beattie has welcomed official statistics showing the number of Police Officers in Scotland increased to over 16,500 by the end of 2024, saying that the SNP is making a positive difference to policing in Midlothian North and Musselburgh and across Scotland.  
 
The figures released by Scotland's Chief Statistician show that the number of full-time equivalent officers increased to 16,508 by the end of 2024.
 
The SNP has a strong record on improving policing and making communities safer since coming to power – with recorded crime down by 40% since 2006-7. 
 
Under the SNP Scottish Government, Scotland has more Police Officers per head than England, at 30 and 24 full-time equivalent Officers per 10,000 people, respectively.
 
The SNP is committed to continuing this strong commitment to public safety and safer communities, by allocating an additional £57 million resource funding for the police in the draft Scottish Budget for 25-26.  
 
Commenting, local MSP Colin Beattie said:  
 
“I welcome these statistics, which show that the number of Police Officers in Scotland was higher at the end of last year than it was at the same time the year before – this will have a positive impact here in Midlothian North and Musselburgh.
 
“The SNP has a proud record on improving policing and making our communities safer - recorded crime is down by 40% since the SNP came to power, we have the highest number of police officers anywhere in the UK.
 
“But we won’t stop there – people in Midlothian North and Musselburgh deserve to know that police services are improving – which is why we’ve allocated an additional £57 million in additional resource funding for Police Scotland in the 2025-26 Scottish Budget."
 
ENDS