Police Scotland has admitted that officers normally focused on areas like Queensferry, Kirkliston, Cramond, Davidson’s Mains and Muirhouse now risk being diverted to Edinburgh city centre because of cuts imposed by the SNP.

Liberal Democrats strongly opposed the decision of SNP and Labour councillors to cut the local police budget by 20%. It has resulted in a city wide loss of 10 officers.

Senior police have now admitted that community officers in other parts of the city are likely to be diverted to cover policing duties in the city centre.

One of the benefits of community policing is that officers get to know and understand the area. They develop relationships, especially with younger people. That could be put at risk if officers get sucked into dealing with problems in the very centre of Edinburgh.

It is clear these cuts are wrong and should be reversed.