SNP DELIVERING FOR MIDLOTHIAN AND EAST LOTHIAN ON POLICE NUMBERS TORIES LAGGING BEHIND

SNP MSP Colin Beattie has challenged the Tories to match the ambition shown by the SNP on police numbers.
New statistics laid bare the stark contrast between rising police numbers in Scotland since the SNP took power and sinking numbers in England and Wales under the Tories.

Figures published this week show that since the SNP came to power in 2007, officer numbers have increased by 6.3% in Scotland. Comparatively, in England and Wales, numbers fell by 13.3% in the same time period.
There were 17,256 full-time equivalent (FTE) police officers in Scotland on 30 September 2019 and in the last year alone, officer numbers increased by 108 FTE officers or 0.6%.

Colin Beattie MSP, the representative for Midlothian North and Musselburgh said:
“The SNP has a strong record of delivering on police numbers and this is paying off. 

“Crime is down 41% since the SNP came to office; my constituents are safer because of the Scottish Government’s ambitious and proactive approach to justice.

“Boris Johnson’s hollow electioneering does not stack up – his promised increase of 20,000 police officers does not redress the problems caused by the number of officers his party has cut since 2010. 
​
“In terms of relative populations, England and Wales would need 27,000 more police officers to match Scotland.  The Tories are playing catch up but empty promises won’t bridge the gap.”