Police Scotland to cut staff jobs and freeze recruitment

The force previously warned of financial pressures threatening the service, with officer numbers at their lowest number in Scotland since 2008.

Former Chief Constable Sir Iain Livingstone also said it would have to be “even leaner” in its delivery of key services to deal with budget pressures.

Staff union, Unison, said it would mean “more work for already stressed staff”.

Regional organiser Deborah Clarke said: “This decision by Police Scotland is an imposition on police support staff, who are already working flat out.

“Unison has not agreed to a recruitment freeze and Police Scotland have not consulted us.

“It’s another top down decision taken with no consideration as to how it will affect hard-working police staff.”

The Scottish government said Police Scotland was a “vital service” and funding had been increased in difficult financial circumstances.

A spokesperson said: “We have increased police funding year-on-year since 2016-17, investing more than £11.6bn since the creation of Police Scotland in 2013.”