Liberal Democrat Justice spokesperson Robert Brown MSP has welcomed the rise in police recruitment numbers announced today and called on the Scottish Government to do more to improve community policing.

Quarterly figures for the three months to September put the number of police officers in Scotland at 16,526.

Commenting, Mr Brown said:

"Although I welcome this increase in police numbers, it is important to make sure that police officers are being deployed effectively in Scotland's local communities.

"Liberal Democrats also want to see more Community Officers working in local areas with the police to protect those at risk of crime and reassuring the public."