Police Scotland has been hit by a deluge of coronavirus sick leave amid claims that 700 officers were absent on Monday. Now fears have emerged of a Christmas crimewave as officers are forced to stay at home due to new stricter self-isolation rules.
Opposition politicians are now demanding the Scottish Government exempts blue-light workers from the new isolation rules – which means everyone in a household must self-isolate for 10 days if they come into contact with a positive case regardless of their vaccine status.
Police sources said that the situation was “gravely worrying” for officers and staff who are already feeling the pressure of overburdened emergency services.