Officers and staff quitting Police Scotland have cited working patterns and a lack of resources as reasons for their decision, exit survey data shows.

Statistics show 31.9 per cent of those who completed questionnaires were leaving to start a new career.

The Scottish Liberal Democrats called on SNP ministers to “listen to the concerns of officers and communities” and revisit proposed real-terms budget cuts.

The party’s deputy leader Wendy Chamberlain said: “The responses in this survey show that many officers feel unsupported, overwhelmed and stretched dangerously thin, but the Scottish Government is compounding those strains.

“Officers are heading for the exit, leaving the service without the expertise and skill it needs to keep communities safe.

“A career in the police involves complex pressures and high-level demands. The Scottish Government must make sure officers have the support and resources they need to do their job, and the opportunities for development and career progression that make the long hours and tough conditions feel worth it.

Want to see more SNP fails? – Health Matters