Police Scotland has spent a "mind-boggling" £8m as it prepares for Brexit.

According to a report due to go before the Scottish Police Authority board, £8,053,218 had been spent by the force up to September 9 on Brexit planning.

Police Scotland are setting up a dedicated control centre on the outskirts of Edinburgh to deal with any problems arising from Brexit.

It will be based at the Bilston Glen control room and will go live on October 21 - 10 days before the UK is due to leave the EU.

Work undertaken by Police Scotland is split into contingency planning and a Brexit delivery team.

READ MORE: Police Scotland bring forward 'no-deal' Brexit plans

Contingency planning is dedicated to preparing for potential civil unrest after Brexit and the delivery team are focused on ensuring international co-operation continues when the UK leaves the European Union.

The force has been preparing for civil unrest and protests in the event of a no-deal exit.

Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Liam McArthur MSP said of the Brexit spend:“This is a mind boggling sum. We know the pressure that Police Scotland are already under and how stretched they are.

"Not only will Brexit make us less safe if we lose access to international crimefighting resources, it is costing our police service dearly.

“The UK Government need to ensure that none of our public services are missing out as a result of the catastrophic Brexit process.

“Scottish Liberal Democrats are clear: we need an exit from Brexit.”

READ MORE: Scotland's police and prosecutors 'unable to prepare for Brexit'

Deputy Chief Constable Will Kerr said the force's Brexit contingency team was already in place.

He said: "Training and exercising activity has commenced and is based on identifying and responding to the reasonable worst-case scenarios that may be faced in the event of a no deal exit and a programme of exercises have been planned."

A "Force Reserve" has been deployed across five hubs across Scotland .

Draft no-deal contingency guidance has also been created for officers, should it be required.

A separate team is working towards ensuring international investigations and intelligence sharing continue post-Brexit.