Edinburgh gangland shootings: Ash Regan challenges John Swinney in Scottish Parliament on police numbers

Within the past 10 days, there have been two shootings in Niddrie and West Pilton, though with no reports of any injuries, and a suspicious fire. Police have said they believe the incidents are linked to “groups who are actively targeting each other”.

The issue was raised at First Minister's Questions by Edinburgh Eastern Alba MSP Ash Regan, asking what immediate action could be taken to support the emergency services to ensure safety and reassure communities.

Ash Regan questioned the First Minister on gang violence and police resources | Scottish Parliament screenshot

Mr Swinney said he was "deeply concerned" by recent incidents in Edinburgh. And he added: "I reassure members that significant resource is being put into the scrutiny of closed-circuit television footage and that door-to-door inquiries and increased patrols are being deployed in the area."

Ms Regan said serious concerns raised at the Scottish Police Federation conference over issues such as officer burnout and under-resourcing needed to be addressed urgently.

And she continued: "Edinburgh residents have the right to reassurance from visible, proactive policing and the right to not be left at the risk of being caught up in gang warfare.

"Will the First Minister commit today to reviewing the allocation formula for police funding for Edinburgh and consider targeted support for policing in areas of rising gang activity?"

Mr Swinney said these were matters for the chief constable in the exercise of her operational responsibility for control of policing. "It would be inappropriate for me to specify where police officers should be located."

And he said the Scottish Government had allocated £1.62 billion in its budget to support police capacity and capability, an increase of £57 million.

Lothian Tory MSP Sue Webber also pressed the First Minister on more police for Edinburgh.

"These events should concentrate the minds of the Scottish Government regarding the on-going underresourcing of policing in the Capital," she said.

"Three years ago, Edinburgh had 120 fewer officers than its population needed, and by March last year there were 22 fewer than in the year before.

“I press the First Minister on the matter. Will the Scottish Government commit to resourcing Edinburgh’s police force in a manner that reflects the growing population, the additional complexities and what is needed to police a capital city?"

Mr Swinney said the chief constable was responsible for the operational deployment of police officers around the country. But he said: "I give the reassurance that the chief constable will address these issues."

And he continued: "I believe that the financial settlement that we have put in place for policing is adequate for the challenges that we face in our country, given that we know that recorded crime is down by 40 per cent since 2006-07 and that there has been a 54 per cent fall in the rates of attempted murder and serious assault."