Smith seeks answers from Salmond on Police numbers

15/11/07

Margaret Smith MSP has called on Alex Salmond to explain how the additional Police Officers the SNP has promised will be provided. During First Minister’s Questions in Parliament the Edinburgh West MSP challenged the First Minister to explain exactly where the additional capacity needed to police against terrorism in the city and across the country would come from.

Commenting, Mrs Smith said:

“Clearly an effective fight against terrorism and wider crime needs greater Police capacity and the SNP has promised to deliver additional Police resources. The Government have backtracked on their plans for 1000 more police officers and are now coming forward with 500 recruits and a further 500 from retention and redeployment. I simply asked how many would be from each of these , how it would be achieved and when. It is very disappointing that the First Minister had no answers on this important issue. He seems to have no idea where the Officers he has promised will be coming from.”