Constance challenged to come up with plan after fall in police officer numbers

Justice Secretary Angela Constance is being challenged to come up with a “realistic plan” on policing as figures showed a fall in officer numbers.

Scottish Government statistics showed, as of December 31 last year, Police Scotland had a total 16,416 full-time equivalent (FTE) police officers – with this down by 25 FTE officers since the end of September and 91 FTE officers since December 2024.

The Scottish Government report detailed how the number of FTE officers “have  been on a downward trend” between the second quarter of 2021 and the second quarter of 2024.

While numbers increased from then until the first three months of 2025, the report added that, in April to June last year, numbers “dropped back” to similar levels as in the third quarter of 2024, and have “remained around this level since”.

However, Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Liam McArthur said it was “not simply the decline in headline officer numbers which raises big questions for the SNP”.

He added: “Cuts to support staff have left officers spending more time on paperwork and less time on the beat.

“Officers are spending more time tackling online fraud and on complex mental health cases. The service must ensure that it has the right mix of staff to address these challenges.”

The Liberal Democrat MSP also insisted: “Policing bodies have repeatedly warned of a public safety crisis. The Justice Secretary needs to come forward with a realistic plan to ensure the needs of the service are met.”

Scottish Labour justice spokesperson Pauline McNeill accused the SNP government of “gambling with Scotland’s safety by inflicting yet more cuts to police officer numbers”.

She said: “At a time when crime is rising and more Scots feel unsafe in their communities, it is astonishing that local police are being axed.”

Ms Constance, however, stressed the Scottish Government is “investing a record £1.7 billion for policing in 2026-27” adding that this followed “record investment last year which enabled Police Scotland to take on more recruits in the last financial year than at any time since 2013”.

The Justice Secretary added: “There have been further intakes across 2025–26, with another planned for March.

“Scotland continues to be a safe place to live, with more police officers per capita than England and Wales and recorded crime having fallen by half since 1991.”