Rachael Hamilton MSP has criticised the Scottish Government for slashing police numbers in the Borders.
The number of police officer numbers across Lothians and Borders has decreased by 62 since this time last year.
Police officer numbers in Scotland are at their lowest point since early 2009 – well before the SNP merged forces to create Police Scotland in 2013.
There are currently 17,117 full-time police officers serving across Scotland, as of December 2021, surpassing previous lows recorded in 2018.
Since the SNP’s police merger, there are also nearly 650 fewer local police officers available to patrol streets and respond to calls.
Mrs Hamilton has slammed the SNP for their neglect of Scotland’s police force, and says additional resources need to be channelled into rural areas to tackle rural crime, such as flytipping and machinery theft.
In light of officer cuts, the Conservative led Scottish Borders Council started the Community Action Team several years ago, a police team which provides a dedicated community resource which is specifically targeting community issues such as anti-social behaviour and on-street parking.
Mrs Hamilton wants police officer numbers restored to help better fight crime in the Borders.
Rachael Hamilton MSP said:
“Our police work tirelessly day and night to keep the public safe, yet they are being let down appallingly.
“I recently met with the new Divisional Commander Catriona Paton, and I am aware of that our hardworking officers on the frontline deserve to be fully resourced by the SNP Government.
“First, they get hit with a real-terms cut to their capital budget, and now we learn there are fewer officers patrolling our streets than at any time since the SNP merged Scotland’s police forces.
“Since the creation of Police Scotland they have decimated local policing.
“I have raised the need for Scottish Conservative plans which would include a new local policing act, to put bobbies back on the beat.
“A Local Policing Act will ensure more police are patrolling our streets and countryside in the Borders and will give communities getting more of a say in policing decisions, and guarantee proper investment in supporting our officers.
“I commend the work of the Conservative led Scottish Borders Council’s Community Action Team, who continue to work tirelessly alongside Police Scotland colleagues, to keep our communities safe”.
