McMillan Welcomes Recruitment of New Police Officers

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP) has welcomed the confirmation that 100 new police officer are to be recruited by Strathclyde Police, putting more bobbies on the beat in Inverclyde.

The figures confirm the SNP Government has surpassed its manifesto commitment to increase police numbers by 1000.

Mr. McMillan said;

"I am delighted that Strathclyde police has already recruited an additional 560 officers since 2007 and this new batch of officers will boost the patrol on the streets significantly.

"Despite cuts by the UK Government to the Scottish budget the SNP has ensured that police numbers are protected.

"The SNP Government will not allow the police service in Scotland to suffer as a result of unprecedented and unwelcome Westminster cuts.

"It is great news that police boards and Chief constables are re-opening recruitment as a result of a funding deal from the Scottish Government and I have no doubt that this will benefit Inverclyde immensely."

McMillan Welcomes Record Police Numbers

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP West of Scotland) has welcomed the announcement by the Scottish Government that a police force projection survey has highlighted that the Scottish Government is on course to exceed it’s commitment to deliver 1000 more police on Scotland’s streets by 2011. The study shows police numbers could increase by 1250 between 2007 and 2011.

Mr McMillan said;

"I am pleased to see the Scottish Government is on course to deliver its commitment to deliver 1000 more police officers throughout Scotland.

"I'm sure people in Inverclyde will be reassured in the knowledge that the Scottish Government is delivering on its commitment to deliver more officers on our streets and in our communities.

"In the Strathclyde area we are set to see an extra 450 officers on our streets with a further 75 in Tayside, nearly 200 in Lothian and Borders and an extra 98 officers in Grampian.

"I look forward to tomorrows (Thursday) Scottish Parliament debate being held on the number of police in our communities as this is an opportunity to welcome the progress the Scottish Government is making in creating safer and stronger communities."

McMillan Welcomes Record Police Numbers

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP West of Scotland) has welcomed the record number of police in the Strathclyde force.

The number of police has increase by 131 in the last quarter alone and by 336 in the last year meaning there is more police in Strathclyde than ever before.

Mr. McMillan said;

"This is just one more example of the SNP Government delivering for people in Inverclyde.

"We have seen significantly more police on our streets and in less than two years in office the Scottish Government has put nearly 500 more police on the streets. That is a massive improvement on previous successive Governments.

"People in Inverclyde are seeing a real difference in terms of a police presence and I have ever confidence we can see even more police on the streets in years to come".

Scottish Government Provides Funding To Deliver More Police On The Beat

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP, West of Scotland) and Member of the Justice Committee has welcomed the funding from the SNP Government's budget which ensures for extra police officers for Strathclyde after the opposition parties attempts to block the budget would have meant this funding could have been delayed.

The successful vote, after the opposition compromised in the face of public outrage, ensures that Strathclyde is guaranteed the twelve million pounds required to fund the recruitment and training of new officers in 2009/2010.

Mr McMillan said:

"In 2007 the SNP pledged a major increase in police numbers and, in particular, front line police numbers. The securing of this funding ensures that the people of Strathclyde can be assured that our plans for safer streets are on track.

"In Strathclyde as a whole police numbers are steadily rising and we have already seen 205 new front line officers on our streets since October 2008.

"It is good news that the additional funding for police officers secured by the SNP Government is delivering more police on the ground. This will be reassuring for communities, good for police morale and very bad for criminals.

"This great news for Strathclyde highlights how the SNP Government is delivering for the people of the area."