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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Number of police officers in Scotland falls | Number of police officers in Scotland falls |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The number of police officers in Scotland has fallen to its lowest level since the end of 2010. | The number of police officers in Scotland has fallen to its lowest level since the end of 2010. |
| There were the equivalent of 17,242 full-time police officers in Scotland between April and June. | There were the equivalent of 17,242 full-time police officers in Scotland between April and June. |
| This represented the lowest number of officers since the last quarter of 2010 when there were 17,217. | This represented the lowest number of officers since the last quarter of 2010 when there were 17,217. |
| However, the new figures show police numbers are still up by 1,008 since 2007 when the SNP pledged to increase the total number of officers by 1,000. | However, the new figures show police numbers are still up by 1,008 since 2007 when the SNP pledged to increase the total number of officers by 1,000. |
| The target was an SNP commitment from 2007 until April this year, when it was dropped. | The target was an SNP commitment from 2007 until April this year, when it was dropped. |
| The Scottish Police Authority, which oversees Police Scotland, has previously said the policy of setting officer number targets represented a "very inflexible approach". | The Scottish Police Authority, which oversees Police Scotland, has previously said the policy of setting officer number targets represented a "very inflexible approach". |
| Minister for Community Safety Annabelle Ewing said crime was at a 41-year low and that Scotland was as safe as it had been for over a generation. | Minister for Community Safety Annabelle Ewing said crime was at a 41-year low and that Scotland was as safe as it had been for over a generation. |
| Staffing mix | Staffing mix |
| She added: "This reduction in crime levels is supported by continued high numbers of police in Scotland's communities, and I am very pleased to note that numbers remain well in excess of those in 2007. | She added: "This reduction in crime levels is supported by continued high numbers of police in Scotland's communities, and I am very pleased to note that numbers remain well in excess of those in 2007. |
| "Scotland's police officers and staff work incredibly hard to serve our communities, tackling violence and crime. | "Scotland's police officers and staff work incredibly hard to serve our communities, tackling violence and crime. |
| "We will continue to work with Police Scotland to support them by considering the implications of changing demands on Scottish policing and ensuring the right mix of officers and specialist staff to provide protection for Scotland's communities." | "We will continue to work with Police Scotland to support them by considering the implications of changing demands on Scottish policing and ensuring the right mix of officers and specialist staff to provide protection for Scotland's communities." |
| Brian Docherty, chairman of the Scottish Police Federation which represents many of Scotland's police officers, said the drop in numbers was "disappointing" and "alarming". | Brian Docherty, chairman of the Scottish Police Federation which represents many of Scotland's police officers, said the drop in numbers was "disappointing" and "alarming". |
| He said: "At a time when police demand continues to rise and public satisfaction is falling this is the greatest example yet that finance is being put ahead of public safety." | He said: "At a time when police demand continues to rise and public satisfaction is falling this is the greatest example yet that finance is being put ahead of public safety." |
| Scottish Labour's justice spokeswoman Claire Baker MSP said many people would worry that the latest drop in police numbers was "an indication of what is to come". | |
| She added: "This cannot be allowed to happen. | |
| "The public must have confidence in the government and Police Scotland to keep our streets and communities safe." |