FUNDING FALLS SHORT FOR COPS,

SCOTLAND'S top cop has failed to get funding for an extra 850 officers and 348 civilian staff in the Scottish Budget.

- BY NORMAN SILVESTER

CASH PLEA Jo Farrell

Chief Constable Jo Farrell had asked for an additional £33.7million to strengthen frontline policing and modernise the workforce in the face of increasing online harm, gang violence and public protests.

But the record £1.729billion funding falls short of what she said the force needed to “stand still. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) and Scottish Prison Service (SPS) also said they were disappointed after receiving less than they asked for.