POLICE: THIN BLUE LINE IS BECOMING FAR TOO THIN, SAY LABOUR

Some of the many duties Scotland’s police officers have on their plate as numbers become fewer.

July 1, 2025

By Bill Heaney

Police Officers cannot keep bearing the brunt of SNP failure, Scottish Labour has said as stress and mental health absences soar by over 50 per cent.

In the space of just three years between 2021 and 2024, the number of police officers absent from work due to anxiety, depression, stress or post-traumatic stress rose by 52 per cent.

Scottish Labour warned that a mental health “crisis” was unfolding in Police Scotland and called for the SNP to address the mounting pressures facing the officers.

Scottish Labour Justice spokesperson Pauline McNeill, pictured right, said “It’s clear Police in Scotland are at breaking point after years of SNP mismanagement and neglect.

“We owe it to Police Officers to ensure they have the support they need while they work to keep our communities safe, but it’s clear that is not the case under the SNP.

“The SNP has let Police Officer numbers collapse over the last five years, piling pressure on remaining officers and threatening to undermine public safety.

“The SNP must wake up to this growing mental health crisis and work with Police Scotland to support officers struggling with stress, trauma or poor mental health.

“Dealing with this crisis is vital to keeping police officers in work and on duty at a time when we need visible officers in communities.  

“Police Officers cannot keep bearing the brunt of SNP failure – more must be done to support Police and the vital work they do.”

The table below details the number of officers who have been absent for the following reasons: anxiety, depression, other stress, post-traumatic stress, and stress:

Source: FOI response from Police Scotland