Smith Condemns SNP on Police Numbers

25/10/07

During a debate in the Scottish Parliament, Margaret Smith MSP has condemned the Scottish Government’s U-turn on police numbers. The Scottish Parliament held a full debate on the SNP's failure to fulfil its manifesto pledge of 1,000 extra police officers in Scotland. The Edinburgh West MSP highlighted the need for more police on the streets and called on the Scottish Government to honour their commitments and provide the 1,000 additional officers.

Commenting, Ms Smith said: “In the run up to the election, Alex Salmond and the SNP promised the people of Scotland that they would put 1,000 more officers on our streets, and it is simply unacceptable for them to renege on this promise now they are in Government. However they choose to rehash and rephrase their manifesto commitments, it is now clear that we will not be getting the police we were promised.

“More and more police are due to retire in the coming years and it is vital for the safety of our communities that the police force is maintained and expanded. The SNP have seriously let down the police forces and those people who voted for them believing that they would increase the number of police on our streets. I will continue to press the Government to honour their commitment and will hold them to account if they continue to break more and more of their election promises.”

Read Margaret’s contribution and the full debate