COPS IN CRISIS

NUMBER OFF SICK DUE TO STRESS ROCKETS

- BY PAUL HUTCHEON

POLICE officers are at "breaking point" as stress and mental health absences soar by over 50 per cent.

The figures, covering the last three years, show a huge rise in the number of cops off work because of psychological issues.

According to stats uncovered by Labour, the number rose from 814 in 2021 to 1236 last year, an increase of 52 per cent.

Labour MSP Pauline McNeill said: "It's clear police in Scotland are at breaking point after years of SNP mismanagement and neglect. We owe it to police officers to ensure they have the support they need while they work to keep our communities safe, but it's clear that is not the case under the SNP.

"The SNP has let police officer numbers collapse over the last five years, piling pressure on remaining officers and threatening to undermine public safety.