Scotland's national police force paid off nearly a thousand officers and staff in its first year at a cost of nearly £31m.

 

The service shed 941 people under voluntary redundancy and retirement schemes in 2013-14 as it achieved its targeted savings.

Police Scotland was always designed to make such cuts as it sought to remove duplication and achieve economies of scale.

Its first annual accounts show the total bill - including pension payments - came to £30.9m for 941 exit packages.

Only 11 individuals left with more than £100,000 in compensation and only one with a figure of between £175,000 and £200,000.

The figures were revealed in the first annual report of the Scottish Police Authority.

Its chief executive, John Foley, said the force had achieved "robust and encouraging" financial results. He added: "Prior to day one, policing was tasked with delivering £64 million of efficiency savings in the first year of operation. This target was achieved."

The force and authority ended the year with an underspend of £2.5m.