Scottish police numbers could fall drastically unless the country’s police forces double their recruitment efforts.

According to Scottish Police Federation chairman Norrie Flowers, the number of officers retiring will soon overwhelm the forces’ ability to attract and train new recruits.

Flowers said: “Between 2005 and 2011, approximately 50% of the police service will be eligible for retirement. Normally there’d only be 25% natural wastage in that period.”

The problem stems from the mid-seventies when the country’s eight regional forces went on a three-year recruitment drive.