RECORD numbers of police have sent crime levels plunging, according to the latest figures.

RECORD numbers of police have sent crime levels plunging, according to the latest figures.

Officers in Scotland are at an all-time high with around 900 officers and support staff joining the forces during the last three years.

The latest figure were released as justice minister Cathy Jamieson said 20,000 fewer crimes were recorded last year by police, including 1000 less violent crimes.

Ms Jamieson says that as well as additional officers and staff, record investment in the service of around £1.1billion and tougher laws all highlighted the Executive's commitment to making Scotland safer.

She said: "Crime in Scotland is falling - that's good news for the law-abiding public who want to feel safe in their homes and on the streets."

"We know that we must continue to keep up the fight against crime, including ensuring the police have the right powers to do their job."

Scotland's eight police forces employ the equivalent of 16,261 full-time officers.

The figures, from September this year, are up by 900 from March 2003, when the total was 15,361.

Since then the number of officers has risen steadily, as has the number of support staff, which has grown from 5979 in March 2003 to 7294.

Measures in the Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act, passed in the autumn, have given officers more powers to tackle football related violence, knife crime, sex offenders and drug related crime.

Ms Jamieson added: "Scotland can be rightly proud of its many dedicated police officers who are working hard to help us to continue to build on the reduction in crime we have seen in the past year."