Scottish Labour has today responded to official figures which show the number of police officers, despite showing a slight rise across Scotland, have decreased or showed no change in half of Scotland's police forces over the last quarter.
 
The figures come as it was revealed that police force's across Scotland will be forced to reduce civilian staff posts by voluntary and even compulsory redundancies over the next two years in order maintain police officer numbers.
 
Recently Strathclyde Police said they had a £35 million shortfall in this year alone with budget shortfalls are expected to reaching £66 million by 2013/14.
 
Scottish Labour have previously revealed that the majority of additional police officers are funded by local authorities.
 
Labour's Justice spokesman Richard Baker said:
 
"There is no point crowing over police officer numbers today if they are going to fall in years to come. Kenny MacAskill is responsible for forcing Scotland’s police into the worst budget crisis in decades.
 
"The progress made in police recruitment across Scotland has been largely funded by local authorities but this progress is seriously under threat.
 
“In three forces in Scotland we have seen officer numbers fall with another at standstill and Mr MacAskill should explain why.”

2 March 2010