Scottish Conservative and Unionist MSP Rachael Hamilton for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire has called on the SNP to protect frontline officer numbers in the area.
Mrs Hamilton has made the call after new figures highlighted that the number of frontline officers has fallen between June and September and since the creation of Police Scotland in 2013.
In the last quarter the number of divisional officers in the Lothian and Borders fell from 935 to 907 while since the creation of Police Scotland in April 2013, there are now 57 fewer officers in the area.
Scottish Borders’ Council budget this year protected the Community Action Team officers who are also vitally important in tackling crime across the Borders.
In 2018/19, almost 900 hours of high visibility patrols and 300 drug searches on people/premises were conducted by the CAT officers.
The MSP says it is imperative that the SNP give frontline officers in the Borders the resources they need in order to tackle crime.
Rachael Hamilton MSP said:
“It is clear that frontline policing is continuing to be reduced in the Borders on the SNP’s watch.
“Our hardworking officers on the frontline must get the resources they need to tackle crime across the area, including rising incidents of rural crime.
“People in Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire will be alarmed at the reduction in officers in recent months and since the creation of Police Scotland.
“The Scottish Borders Council protected the Community Action Team officers in the last budget, at a time when the SNP are making cuts to the police force.
“Officers put themselves on the line each day and do a fantastic job keeping our communities in the Borders safe.
“The very least they deserve is to be properly resourced and supported by this SNP Government.”