Police job freeze concerns lifted

Councillors were told the financial position had improved for the force

Fears of a freeze on recruitment of new officers to the Dumfries and Galloway police force have been lifted.

Chief Constable Pat Shearer had warned of the impact of trying to manage a projected overspend of about £500,000.

A report to the council's police committee said a reduction in officer numbers was "likely" in order to achieve a balanced budget.

However, Mr Shearer said the force's financial position had improved and would let it avoid making cuts.

"Our figures and budget have improved in relation to some of the savings we have made since the report was first produced," he said.

'Dynamic situation'

He said talks with the council had looked at budgets to find greater flexibility and enable it to take the "brakes" off recruitment.

"We have still to be very prudent in relation to the management of our budget," he said.

"But it is certainly a much better picture than when we first drafted the report."

The drop in fuel prices was helping and some other items - including pensions - had been "over-forecast".

But he described recruitment as "very dynamic".

Mr Shearer also confirmed that Dumfries and Galloway's funded share of the 1,000 extra officers pledged by the Scottish Government had been taken on - a total of 17 so far.