Wednesday November 4th 2026
Police Scotland
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Marie Sharp
Calls for a review of police cover in the east of Scotland are being made amid claims there are only half the number of officers on duty compared to the rest of the country.
Midlothian Labour councillors have raised concerns over what they say may be a ‘disproportionate’ concentration of cover in ‘certain areas’ of the country.
In a motion due to be brought to councillors next week, the Labour group are calling for the local authority to write to the Chief Constable asking for a detailed explanation of how cover is allocated and comparative figures across different areas.
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Police Scotland say cover in J Division which includes Midlothian, East and West Lothian and the Scottish Borders is regularly reviewed to ensure they are meeting demand.
Divisional commander Chief Superintendent Gregg Banks said: “As a national service, it is not uncommon for officers from neighbouring areas to be deployed to assist where a serious incident occurs, or an event places additional demand on one policing area.”
The motion from the Labour group recognises police resources must be allocated according to operational demand, crime patterns, geography and community need.
However, it adds “there must be greater transparency and accountability regarding how resources are distributed across Scotland, particularly in areas experiencing rapid population growth.
“Council is concerned that communities in Midlothian may not be receiving a level of policing resource that adequately reflects local demand, population growth and emerging community safety challenges.”
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The motion says that across J Division there are 16.3 full time equivalent officers per 10,000 people living there compared to the national figure of around 30 per 10,000 people.
As well as calling on the council to write to the chief constable, the motion also calls on the local authority to write to the Scottish Minister for Justice to highlight concerns about police resources in Midlothian.
And it calls on Police Scotland to reinstate the dedicated Midlothian Community Action Team (MCAT) which provided a team of 11 police officers and helped with local policing.
The team was withdrawn last year after Police Scotland rejected the council’s funding offer for the service although the motion conceded alternative measures have been introduced by the force.
Responding to the motion which will go before full council, Chief Superintendent Banks said: “The Chief Constable has been clear around her commitment to strengthen the frontline and has set out a case for investment in written evidence to the Scottish Parliament.
“The resourcing position across the Lothians and Scottish Borders is, like all other divisions, regularly reviewed to ensure we are able to respond to ever-changing demand.
“We are designing a sustainable model for local policing that meets the needs of the 2030 vision for Police Scotland, which is focused on achieving safer communities, less crime, supported victims and a thriving workforce.
“Through the Policing for Our Communities programme, it is our aim to ensure communities feel safer through visible local policing, we prevent crime by working with others, we deliver the right services that meet the needs of victims, and our people are equipped, empowered, and supported to do the job.”
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