By Chris McCall
The SNP Government has been urged to make policing a “greater priority” after a poll found a third of Scots believe crime in their neighbourhood has increased. Research by Survation revealed that 34 per cent of people think the crime rate in their areas is either a little or a lot more than it was two years ago. The concerns come despite official figures showing recorded crime in 2024-25 was down slightly from the previous year 鈥 and has more than halved since 1991. But polling carried out for 1919 magazine found only 11 per cent of people believed the crime rate in their area to be down over the last two years. Nearly two-thirds of Scots added they were not confident the police have enough resources to prevent crime happening in the first place, while almost half said the same for dealing with incidents as they occur. It found 51 per cent also said they were not confident the police have the resources to respond quickly to calls and information from the public. And 46 per cent were not confident police in their area have enough resources to solve crimes, and 58 per cent are concerned they are not able to provide a visible presence in the community. David Threadgold, chair of the Scottish Police Federation, said: 鈥淲hen police have the tools and the resources, they have the ability to get the job done but, at present, we鈥檙e not able to carry out basic police functions like interacting with the public to prevent crime in the first place. “Operational cops are hamstrung because they are carrying out health functions. Policing has got to become a greater priority for Government.鈥 Labour justice spokesperson Pauline McNeill said: 鈥淓veryone should be able to feel safe in their local community. However, this poll suggests that for too many people, that is sadly not the case.鈥 She added that this 鈥減inpoints exactly the problem with policing under the SNP鈥 鈥 saying the Government has 鈥渁llowed basic policing to decline, therefore trust in the police service is being eroded鈥. McNeill insisted: 鈥淢embers of the public must be given the reassurance that when they need help, our police will be there for them. “Unfortunately, this SNP Government has failed to back Police Scotland, just as it has allowed public services to decline.鈥 Angela Constance said she was 鈥渃oncerned鈥 to hear of a 鈥減erceived increase in crime鈥 as she stressed the Scottish Government was providing record budget funding for policing. The Justice Secretary said: “I want to reassure people that Scotland continues to be a safe place to live with reported crime falling by more than half since 1991. “This is backed up by the recently published Recorded Crime in Scotland 2024-25, which shows reported crime falling by more than half since 1991 and the flagship Scottish Crime and Justice Survey which also showed people feel safer in their communities.鈥 She added: 鈥淭his year, we will invest 拢4.2 billion across the justice system including a record 拢1.64 billion for policing 鈥 an increase of 拢90 million on 2024-25.” A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 鈥淲e welcome scrutiny and the Chief Constable is very clear about the priority of strengthening the front line as part of our vision of safer communities, less crime, supported victims and a thriving workforce. “Over a period of many years Scotland has experienced less crime. However, we are not complacent and work in partnership to ensure the country remains a safe place to live and work.” To sign up to the Daily R ecord Politics newsletter, click here