Born in 1946 and brought up in Cupar, Fife, I was educated at the local school - 
The Banffshire & Buchan Coast MSP says that quarterly figures published on Tuesday are in stark contrast to those south of the border, where the UK Government has slashed police numbers to their lowest point for 11 years.
Crime levels in the North-east and throughout Scotland have continued to fall consistently since the SNP came to power six years ago. Police Scotland now has 17,324 officers serving in communities around the country, 1,090 more than was the case in 2007.
Commenting, Mr Stevenson said:
“The work of police officers here in the North-east and throughout Scotland has been simply magnificent. Their commitment and professionalism is very much admired by us all and is reflected in the falls we are seeing in crime levels.“The SNP Scottish Government has always sought to support our police service by ensuring that they receive the backing they deserve.
“Additional officers on the ground has allowed much more time for the police to build good relationships with their communities and allowed them more time to concentrate on crime prevention.
“Crime in Scotland is at a 39-year low - but through talking to people in local communities and to police officers themselves I know that there is a determination to continue bringing levels lower still. That has the effect of making our communities safer and more secure places in which to live.
“Our success in helping reduce crime levels through increasing the number of police officers underlines why it is so important that the Scottish Parliament is able to take decisions on issues affecting Scotland.”
“Additional officers on the ground has allowed much more time for the police to build good relationships with their communities and allowed them more time to concentrate on crime prevention.
“Crime in Scotland is at a 39-year low - but through talking to people in local communities and to police officers themselves I know that there is a determination to continue bringing levels lower still. That has the effect of making our communities safer and more secure places in which to live.
“Our success in helping reduce crime levels through increasing the number of police officers underlines why it is so important that the Scottish Parliament is able to take decisions on issues affecting Scotland.”
Details of the Police Officer quarterly strength statistics Scotland can be found online at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Crime-Justice
