Most Scots think police are 'less visible' than five years ago

The Scottish Government is being urged to increase police officer numbers, as a survey found more than half of Scots think the police are “less visible” now than five years ago.

Justice Secretary Neil Gray is being challenged to “stand up in Cabinet to argue for greater resourcing for Police Scotland”.

The plea came as research by Survation, carried out for justice and home affairs magazine 1919, found 53% of adults feel that police officers in their area are less visible than they were five years ago.

Meanwhile almost two fifths (39%) said they would be less confident contacting police with information about a crime than they would five years ago.

And 39% of people also said they felt their community would be safer if it had an operational police station.

Commenting on the survey, David Kennedy, general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation – the body which represents rank and file police officers – said: “Policing is built on public trust and confidence. When people see fewer officers on their streets, in town centres and within their communities, it is understandable that some will feel less connected to the service and less confident about reporting information or concerns.”

He added: “Visibility is not simply about reassurance, it plays a vital role in preventing crime, gathering intelligence and maintaining strong relationships between the police and the public.

“The survey’s findings regarding police stations are equally significant. While modern policing does not require every officer to be based in a traditional station, local police buildings still provide an important and visible connection between the service and the communities it serves.

“The public clearly recognises the value of having a police presence rooted within their local area.”

The latest Scottish budget saw Police Scotland receiving an extra £90.4 million for day-to-day spending for 2026-27 – with this £15 million short of what Chief Constable Jo Farrell said was needed for the force to “stand still”.

There were 16,430 full-time equivalent officers in Scotland as of March 31 2026, with this down 123 from the previous year.

Mr Kennedy continued: “If Scotland wants more visible policing, greater community engagement and increased public confidence, there must be sustained investment in policing.

“That means maintaining officer numbers, investing in local policing, and ensuring officers have the time and resources to be proactive within the communities they serve rather than simply moving from one emergency call to the next.

“The public’s message in this survey is clear – they want to see more police officers in their communities, and they want confidence that policing remains visible, accessible and connected to the people it serves.”

Scottish Conservative justice spokesperson Stephen Kerr said the survey’s “damning findings” were “the inevitable consequence of years of SNP cuts to frontline policing”.

Hitting out at the Scottish Government, the Tory MSP said: “Their centralisation agenda has destroyed the connection between local communities and the police officers serving them.

“The reality is hardly anyone knows who their local officers are or see police regularly in their area.

“Communities have watched officer numbers fall, local police stations close and a visible policing (presence) disappear at the same time crime is rising.”

Mr Kerr demanded: “It is time to back our police officers, by increasing police numbers, and ensuring our police force has the resources to protect the public.”

Scottish Labour justice spokesperson Pauline McNeill MSP said: “The SNP has been failing our communities for years, allowing officer numbers to decline and leaving people feeling less safe as a result.

“Despite the warnings of the chief constable, the SNP has left Police Scotland short-changed and at risk of failing to provide what is needed to meet the ever-increasing demands on the force.

“Neil Gray has been handed responsibility as the new Justice Secretary, and he must learn from the mistakes of his predecessor in the role.

“He must consider investing in alternatives to custody, and to stand up in cabinet to argue for greater resourcing for Police Scotland.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson stated: “Scotland’s police service will always be both visible and at the heart of our communities.

“Police are keeping people safe every day, as shown with recorded crime falling by half since 1991.

“Scotland continues to have more police officers per capita than England and Wales, and Scottish police officers have consistently been the best paid in the UK, at the minimum and maximum of each rank.

“Our record investment continues to allow Police Scotland to recruit new officers and maintain officer numbers at 16,500.

“The budget provides more than £1.7 billion for policing in 2026-27, which will allow Police Scotland to make progress on delivering its estate masterplan and ensure officers remain embedded in the communities they serve.”

Deputy Chief Constable Bex Smith said: “The chief constable has made it clear her priority is to strengthen our frontline and provide a visible, proactive policing presence in our communities across the country.

“We have set out a vision for policing of safer communities, less crime, supported victims and a thriving workforce, and we are taking steps to achieve these ambitions.”

She added: “In November 2024, the Scottish Police Authority endorsed Police Scotland’s estates masterplan, a 10-year programme to create a modern, fit for purpose estate that best serves our communities and our workforce.

“The aim is to create an estate of strategically based locations or hubs that enable officers to be visible and accessible to local communities, whilst being environmentally sustainable and economically viable for the future.”