Moray MP Douglas Ross says local policing divisions including here in Moray are continuing to bear the brunt of the SNP’s cuts to policing across Scotland.
Douglas’ call comes after the latest statistics detailing police officer numbers, showed that they have now hit their lowest level since 2008. Over 900 divisional officers have been lost since the SNP decided to merge Scotland’s forces into one in 2013, with the creation of Police Scotland.
In the North East (which includes Moray) there are now 19 fewer officers serving the area than there were in 2013.
Douglas says the reduction in the number of officers is hardly surprising given the “contempt” SNP Ministers have shown towards officers with recent “derisory” pay officers and failure to deliver on their spending commitments for the policing budget.
He added that it is often rural and remote areas that have borne the brunt of the SNP’s centralisation policy and raised the issue directly with Nicola Sturgeon last month at First Ministers Question Time in the Scottish Parliament.
He highlighted a discussion with a local police constable who told him that officers are being left to cover entire towns on their own.
Douglas, whose wife Krystle is a police sergeant in Moray says the SNP are putting communities at risk with the reduction in officers and that policing is no longer a priority for the SNP Government.
Moray MP Douglas Ross said: “The SNP’s cuts to our police are shamefully hitting local policing services the most. They are bearing the brunt for the decision to merge Scotland’s police forces into one back in 2013.
“That trend is deeply regrettable. Our more rural and remote communities here in Moray deserve the reassurance of a strong police presence in their area and that is simply not happening on the SNP’s watch.
“Local police constables have told me about appalling situations where officers are having to man entire towns on their own. That is simply unsustainable and shows that the SNP are putting the safety of our communities at risk and our stretching our dedicated officers and police staff to the limit.
“I know first-hand how our police officers go above and beyond to protect people in Moray and across the country, but they are increasingly doing it with one hand tied behind their backs as a result of the SNP’s failure to properly resource them.
“Policing is no longer a priority for the SNP and that can be seen through derisory pay offers that have been offered to officers in recent months.
“Our police services here in Moray can ill-afford any further reductions in the number of officers and it is time for the SNP to finally get a grip and sort out this crisis in policing which local divisions are paying the price for.”