Central Scotland MSP, Graham Simpson, has slammed the SNP Government for overseeing cuts in the number of frontline police officers in Lanarkshire.
Mr Simpson’s call comes after new statistics showed that over 900 local officers have been lost across Scotland since the SNP merged the force into Police Scotland in 2013, with overall officer numbers at their lowest level since 2008.
Local officer numbers are down by more than 100 compared to this time last year, and down 35 on the first quarter of this year.
In Lanarkshire, there are now 132 fewer officers than nine years ago when SNP ministers created Police Scotland, while over the last year officer numbers have fallen by 41.
He says it is little surprise to see such a fall in Lanarkshire as the SNP Government have treated police officers “with contempt” and failed to honour spending commitments promised for the policing budget.
Mr Simpson has accused the SNP of consistently letting down officers in Lanarkshire and backed his party’s plans for a Local Policing Act to ensure there are more bobbies are on the beat in and that communities have more of a say in local policing divisions.
Scottish Conservative and Unionist MSP, Graham Simpson said: “It is local policing divisions such as Lanarkshire that are shamefully but predictably bearing the brunt of the SNP’s brutal underfunding of our police force.
“It is shocking to see such a reduction in local officers from this region since SNP Ministers merged forces into Police Scotland in 2013. Sadly, that trend is continuing with each passing quarter.
“It is hardly surprising, though, when the SNP Government have treated our hardworking officers with such contempt. Officers across Scotland have removed their goodwill after the derisory pay offer that has been put forward.
“SNP Ministers should never have let it get to that stage and for officer numbers to fall so far. That only increases the risk of crime in communities across Lanarkshire. People here want to be reassured that there’s a strong police presence in their local area.
“Policing is clearly no longer a priority for the SNP. By contrast, the Scottish Conservatives are fully committed to supporting officers through our Local Policing Act, which would restore local patrols in our communities and ensure people in the region have more of a say in local policing decisions.”
