COP NUMBERS LOWEST IN 14YRS

THE number of police in Scotland has reached its lowest level for almost 14 years, according to the latest figures.

- KATRINE BUSSEY

Almost 700 officers have quit the force in the last year alone.

Police Scotland had 16,610 full-time equivalent (FTE) officers in its ranks at the end of June 2022 - the lowest since the creation of the single national police force.

The latest figures, published by the Scottish Government, showed the number of FTE officers has fallen by 679 from the same time the previous year - the equivalent of almost two officers leaving the force a day over the last year.