SALMOND WELCOMES COMMITMENT TO KEEP EXTRA POLICE

183 EXTRA OFFICERS IN GRAMPIAN SET TO STAY

Gordon MSP Alex Salmond has welcomed comments made in the Scottish Parliament Justice Committee indicting that ACPOS will commit to maintaining the extra 1000 police officers put in place under the SNP Government, of which 183 are in Grampian.

Speaking on behalf of ACPOS, Chief Constable David Strang of Lothian and Borders police said that “if we are required to maintain police numbers then that will be done.”

Since the SNP came to power in 2007 crime in Aberdeenshire has fallen by 23% and police numbers have risen from 1374 to 1557 across Grampian.

Commenting Mr Salmond said:

“It is encouraging news indeed that the additional 1000 police put on our streets under the SNP Government look set to stay.

“The safety of our communities is of paramount importance and the extra 183 police officers in Grampian have made a contribution in the 23% drop in crime in Aberdeenshire since the SNP came to power.

“The SNP has put funding from government in place to ensure local authorities have the ability to limit the impact of Westminster cuts on Scotland’s police. While police boards had made predictions of a 10% cut this year, the actual fall will only be 2.6% because of the priority the SNP has given to making Scotland safer.

“Across Scotland crime is at a 30 year low and the drastic fall in crime in Aberdeenshire highlights the importance of maintaining these officers.”