LIB DEMS: WILL CELEBRATIONS ABOUT POLICE FIGURES BE SHORT LIVED?
September 1, 2009 12:00 AM
Commenting on official figures showing that Grampian has more police officers than ever before, Aberdeenshire Liberal Democrat MSP Alison McInnes said:
"The increased police numbers in Grampian are to be welcomed. But most of the credit is due to Grampian police, rather than the SNP's grandstanding Justice Secretary.
"The Scottish Government made savage cuts in Grampian Police's Budget to cover the pension shortfall, while at the same time demanding they make efficiency savings. The police force deserves the credit for making these savings and creating these new posts, not central government.
"And let's not forget, given how keen the SNP are on comparing their record to the previous administration, that we delivered many more new police officers to Grampian. In 2003 and 2007 138 new posts were created, but between 2007 and 2011 only 98 posts will be created.
Liberal Democrat Justice spokesperson, Robert Brown MSP, commenting on official figures showing that police officer numbers have increased said:
"Until opposition parties piled on the pressure, the SNP's promise of 1,000 extra police on the street looked to be going to the same way as their election promises of dumping student debt and grants for first time house buyers.
"But before these figures are celebrated, the Justice Secretary needs to state once and for all that the multimillion pound black-hole in Strathclyde Police Board's funding won't jeopardise this progress.
"Without this, these Government figures are just disingenuous political grandstanding.
"We need more police on the street making people feel safer in their communities, not meaningless spin from this Government."
What would you like to do next?
-
Subscribe for updates
Follow the party's activity on...
- Twitter:
- Liberal Democrats
- Facebook:
- Liberal Democrats
- YouTube:
- Liberal Democrats
-
Help out or donate
-
Tell us what you think