West Scotland MSP Jamie Greene has expressed his concern about the falling number of police officers covering Ayrshire, following the release of new figures showing a decline.
In the Ayrshire policing division, police numbers are down 46 since 2013 when Police Scotland was formed, falling from 862 in 2013 to 816 in December 2021.
Meanwhile, Police officer numbers across Scotland as a whole are at their lowest point since early 2009.
Since the Scottish government's police merger, there are also nearly 650 fewer local police officers available to patrol streets and respond to calls, with 12 out of 13 local police divisions having seen their officer numbers cut.
Last year Police Scotland’s capital budget fell at least £30 million short.
After Police Scotland requested a capital budget of £85.7 million for 2021-22, there was just a £500,000 increase in funding from the Scottish Government.
Jamie Greene, who serves as the Shadow Justice Secretary, said:
“Our local police work tirelessly day and night to keep the public safe, yet they are not being properly resourced by this SNP Government.
“I’m calling on the Scottish Government to urgently reverse the cuts to police budgets so that the number of officers patrolling our streets can be restored.
“I would also like to thank the police themselves for all they do day in, day out fighting crime and keeping local residents safe.”
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