SNP PUT OVER 1000 MORE BOBBIES ON THE BEAT

SNP PUT OVER 1000 MORE BOBBIES ON THE BEAT

OPPOSITION MUST ADMIT MORE POLICE ON SCOTLAND’S STREETS WITH THE SNP

There are over 1000 more police on Scotland’s streets today than when the SNP were voted into Government in May 2007.

In March 2007 there were 16234 police officers in Scotland. The latest figures for the end of June 2009 show there are now 17278 police officers in Scotland.

North East MSP Nigel Don who is also a member of the Scottish Parliament’s Justice Committee today challenged opposition politicians to admit that the SNP had delivered more bobbies on the beat across Scotland:

“In 2007 the SNP said we would put more bobbies on the beat. In Government the SNP have met that pledge.

“In 2007 there were 16234 police in Scotland’s communities, now there are 17278. That is what we promised and with the increased resources invested in police training that commitment has been delivered nearly two years ahead of schedule.

“Where Labour leader Iain Gray claimed it would take 13 years to meet this commitment, the SNP and Scotland's police have ensured there are 1000 more officers on our streets in just over two years.

“It is now time for the opposition to have the good grace to accept that there are over 1000 more police on our streets, that there are more to come and that the SNP and Scotland’s police forces are delivering safer streets for Scotland’s communities.

"The police force projection study suggests there will be between 17,275 and 17,484 police officers in our communities by 2011.

“Today is a milestone in meeting our commitment to make Scotland safer. Whilst there is always more to do under the SNP there are more police on the streets, more people in jail than ever before and the lowest ever rates of recorded crime.

1. Increase from Q1 2007 (March 31^st 07) to Q2 2009 (30 June 09) - 1044 additional police officers

2. In the last quarter the number of police officers increased by 230.

3. Opposition Quotes on SNP Commitment to provide 1000 extra officers;

August 29^th 2008, The Times – Iain Gray said; “at this rate it will take the SNP 13 years to keep their promise.”
March 4, 2009 The Herald; Labour's justice spokesman Richard Baker said:
"Kenny MacAskill needs to come clean now and say if there will be 17,236 or more officers by May 2011 or not?"

March 4^th 2009, The Express, Labour's justice spokesman Richard Baker said:"Until there are 17,236 officers in Scotland, the SNP manifesto promise remains unmet."

Helen Eadie “By 2011, the police establishment in Scotland must rise to 17,234” (official report, Wednesday 16 April 2008