First minister denies ‘crisis’ in force

Scotland’s police force is not in crisis, and officer numbers are expected to be maintained at current levels, the first minister has said.

The force is facing a £21million shortfall in running costs this year, despite an £18million budget boost from the Scottish Government for 2016-17.

The Scottish Police Federation (SPF), representing rank and file officers, has already launched a high-profile campaign against cuts to the service. It says costcutting measures

“Constables cannot be made redundant”

have already seen officers sent to charity shops to buy equipment, while some investigations into drug dealers were being shelved to avoid overtime costs.

Police officer numbers fell to their lowest level for more than five years between April and June.

Asked about a “crisis” in the force at a press conference in Edinburgh, Nicola Sturgeon said: “I don’t think the single force is in crisis. Police constables cannot be made redundant in Scotland. That is the legal position.”