Christina McKelvie, MSP for Central Scotland, has welcomed the publication of statistics which show that there are now a record 17,038 police officers in Scotland, including close to an additional 400 in the Strathclyde Police area since the SNP Government came to power in 2007.

When the SNP came to Government there were 7,822 Police Officers in Strathclyde (Q1 2007), now that figure stands at 8,204 (Q1 2009), an increase of 382.

Ms McKelvie said:

“These extra police officers delivered by the Scottish Government are ensuring that our homes, businesses and streets in communities throughout Strathclyde are safer.

“Thanks to the SNP we now have almost 400 extra police officers in Strathclyde providing a visible, reassuring presence in our communities.

“The SNP promised in our manifesto of 2007 that we would put more bobbies on the beat, that is exactly what the Scottish Government has done.

“Today’s figures show that the Scottish Government, after only two years in office, is well on our way to deliver on our commitment to have an extra 1000 officers by March 2011 and that the SNP are delivering on their promise to create a safer Strathclyde and a safer Scotland.”

The full statistical publication can be found here: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/stats/bulletins/00739.