Scottish Conservative research has found that the SNP Government has cut police numbers in the Scottish Borders, despite a pledge to see an extra 1,000 police officers on the beat.
Research has revealed that Division J, Lothian & Scottish Borders, has lost 11 officers in the last quarter, from 930 down to 919.
Figures also reveals that the division has lost a total of 45 since the creation of Police Scotland, from 964 down to 919.
However, the Scottish Conservative led council administration has committed £282,000 to have 6 new officers and a sergeant tasked with community policing to help mitigate the SNP’s Government mismanagement of Scotland’s police.
Rachael Hamilton MSP said:
‘These statistics show yet more SNP mismanagement over vital public services. Here in the Scottish Borders we feel police losses more than anyone due to our rurality and strong communities.
‘It is time the SNP started to respect our public services and meet their promises. The SNP say that we’ll see more bobbies on the beat, but we see less and less and that really has an impact on local communities here in the Scottish Borders.
‘But thank goodness for the Scottish Conservative led administration that has had the foresight and vision to commit spending so we will 6 more officers to the Scottish Borders to help make our towns and villages feel safer.’
Cllr Shona Haslam, Leader of the Scottish Borders Council said:
‘As a council we are doing everything that we can to protect our local residents from SNP cuts. Whether that be in education, roads budgets or health. Anti-social behaviour is a key area of concern for local people and these additional officers will be locally tasked to deal local issues. They have only been operating for a month and have already issued over 90 parking tickets, and been involved in several prominent arrests. They are going to be a great addition to the team in the Borders and I look forward to working with them.’