Martin Whitfield MSP has warned that SNP mismanagement has left policing in East Lothian and across South Scotland at breaking point as new figures reveal the majority of housebreakings go unsolved.

Latest recorded crime statistics show that in 2022-23 there were 228 housebreakings recorded in East Lothian. In the same year, more than two-thirds (66.7 per cent) of housebreakings were not cleared up.

A crime or offence is regarded as “cleared up” where there exists a sufficiency of evidence under Scots law to justify consideration of criminal proceedings – meaning the majority of housebreakings across South Scotland have gone unsolved.

Mr Whitfield has said these figures expose the pressure policing in the region is under and warned the SNP-Green government against further cuts in the area.

Commenting, Martin Whitfield MSP said:

“It is a disgrace that 7 in every 10 housebreakings in East Lothian goes unsolved. These figures reveal the pressure police here are under, with years of SNP mismanagement pushing services to breaking point.

“Housebreaking can cause its victims both financial loss and serious distress, and it will add insult to injury that so many perpetrators are not facing justice.

“Local justice in East Lothian has suffered serious damage under the SNP. First Prestonpans police station’s public counter was shut and then Haddington’s court was closed, ending 800 years of locally dispensed justice.

“The SNP-Green government must rule out any more damaging cuts to policing in East Lothian, so we can trust that the police have the resources they need to tackle crime and keep our area safe.”