Lothian MSP, Jeremy Balfour, has expressed concern over the rising rate of crime in Lothian.
New figures show that there was a 1 percent increase in the number of crimes recorded in Scotland between 2017-18 and 2018-19.
East Lothian has seen a 6 percent increase in recorded crime over that one-year period. West Lothian has seen an 8 percent increase.
Most notable, is the 51 percent rise in sexual crimes in East Lothian
Jeremy Balfour MSP has expressed his frustration with the SNP’s decision to reduce the number of police that patrol the streets.
The Conservative and Unionist MSP has said:
“Crime is on the rise across Lothian – a clear demonstration that the SNP’s soft touch approach to justice is failing our communities.
“And we know the true picture is much worse given that most crime is never reported to the police.
“It is no coincidence that the SNP have slashed local police numbers and officers are increasingly doing paperwork rather than patrolling our streets
“The SNP have failed to put enough police officers on our streets to tackle crime and protect the public.”