The Government flagged up the fact that, according to new figures published today, Tayside had added 10 officers to its overall strength in the quarter to the end of September alone.

However, the Tele can reveal that the region’s new total of 1185 is only 10 more than were at the chief constable’s disposal at the end of September 2006 as others have left the service.

In Fife, meanwhile, five officers were added during the last quarter, but the force actually has fewer officers than at the same time last year.

The justice secretary was today focused on the revelation that at the end of September there were more police officers in Scotland than ever.

“The fact that 440 of the 450 new centrally funded police recruits we pledged for this financial year have already been recruited is tangible proof of the Scottish Government’s commitment to make an additional 1000 officers available in our communities,” said Mr MacAskill.

“Coupled with the highest-ever number of officers serving our communities and policing our streets we are delivering a more visible policing presence on Scotland’s streets, deterring crime and reassuring our citizens.

“This welcome increase in the number of officers is in part the result of our direct recruitment of new officers, over and above the recruitment plans of our police forces. Already the resources and policies now in place are delivering improved policing for Scotland.

“Our chief constables should be congratulated for redeploying their officers and delivering more police on our streets as this Government delivers record numbers to our police forces.”

The most recent police quarterly strength figures, covering the period July 1 to September 30, show that there were 16,526 police officers in Scotland, the highest figure ever recorded.

That is an increase of 188 officers compared to the previous quarter and an increase of 292 since March 2007.

Mr MacAskill continued, “We inherited the lowest recruitment since devolution with many officers due to retire. We’ve tackled that challenge head on, and although these latest figures are reassuring, there remains much work to be done.

“Furthermore, the key to the police service’s ability to respond is not just its size, but its capacity. The right people, with the right skills, in the right place, at the right time.

“That’s why this Government is focusing on building the capacity of the police service in Scotland — not just the numbers.

“We have set out plans to deliver a more visible policing presence on Scotland’s streets and make an additional 1000 officers available in our communities.

“We are not just delivering on this, but going substantially beyond, by also looking at recruitment, retention and redeployment.”

The finance secretary announced on January 23 an extra £40 million would be made available over the next three years for policing.

In addition to the 150 additional recruits which were recruited in 2007/08, a further 450 additional officers will be recruited by the end of this financial year, 200 additional officers in 2009/10 and 200 in 2010/11.

That will bring the total number of additional recruits to 1000 over the life of the current parliament.