Ministers hit back at critics over police numbers yesterday by publishing quarterly figures showing record recruitment.

Ministers hit back at critics over police numbers yesterday by publishing quarterly figures showing record recruitment.

Labour have criticised the government by claiming that monthly snapshots have shown falling numbers in some of the country's biggest forces but the government hit back yesterday with the latest figures.

Covering the second quarter of this year, they show that there were 16,339 police officers in Scotland, an increase of 118 officers compared to the previous quarter and the highest figure ever recorded.

This increase includes 32 more officers in Lothian and Borders and 68 more in the Strathclyde force.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: "These figures once again demonstrate the Scottish Government's commitment to increased policing in Scotland. We are committed to a greater visible police presence, deterring crime and reassuring our citizens. This welcome increase in the number of officers is in part the result of our direct recruitment of new officers, over and above the recruitment plans of our police forces.

"Last year, as we promised, 150 officers were recruited and paid for by the Scottish Government and are currently working in Scotland's communities. This year we are directly funding the recruitment of another 450 over and above forces' previous plans."

The minister added: "We inherited the lowest recruitment since devolution with many officers due to retire.

"We've tackled that challenge head-on, and although these latest figures are reassuring, there remains much work to be done but we are confident that the resources and policies now in place will deliver improved policing for Scotland.

"The key to the police service's ability to respond is not just its size, but its capacity. The right people, with the right skills, in the right place, at the right time. That's why this government is focusing on building the capacity of the police service in Scotland, not just the numbers.

"We have set out plans to deliver a more-visible policing presence on Scotland's streets and make an additional 1,000 officers available in our communities. We are not just delivering on this but going substantially beyond, by also looking at recruitment, retention and redeployment."