The number of police officers in Scotland has fallen to its lowest level since 2010.

According to the latest statistics, there are 17,242 police officers in Scotland, a fall of 0.4% over the last quarter.

Officer numbers are now at their lowest level since the final quarter of 2010, when there were 17,217.

The Scottish Government has defended its record on officer numbers, saying since the SNP came to power in May 2007 there are 1000 more officers employed.

Community safety minister Annabelle Ewing said the latest figures are "well in excess" of the number of officers from the SNP was first elected to government.

She said: "This government is dedicated to protecting local communities through effective policing and, with recorded crime at a 41-year low, Scotland is as safe as it has been for over a generation.

"This reduction in crime levels is supported by continued high numbers of police in Scotland's communities, and I am very pleased to note that numbers remain well in excess of those in 2007.

"Scotland's police officers and staff work incredibly hard to serve our communities, tackling violence and crime.

"We will continue to work with Police Scotland to support them by considering the implications of changing demands on Scottish policing and ensuring the right mix of officers and specialist staff to provide protection for Scotland's communities."

The Scottish Police Federation said the figures were "alarming" and that policing in the country is at "breaking point".

The federation's chairman Brian Docherty said: "This downward trend in police numbers is as disappointing as it is alarming.

"At a time when police demand continues to rise and public satisfaction is falling, this is the greatest example yet that finance is being put ahead of public safety.

"Police officers are under intolerable pressure, they are working longer and harder than ever before.

"We already know budget cuts are failing victims of crime and making police officers more remote from their communities.

"It is impossible to see how having fewer officers can do anything but result in a further diminution of the quality of service to the public, and the citizens of Scotland will receive a lesser service and be less safe a consequence.

"We should not forget that the police service receives over 10,000 calls per day, nearly 4m a year, and is operating at a time of heightened threat of terrorist attack.

"The police service is fighting 21st century crime with technology developed in the 1990s, police officers are working in asbestos laden buildings and struggle to access vehicles to enable them to get to calls.

"Fewer police officers is just another sign that policing in Scotland is at breaking point."

Scotland's eight regional police forces were amalgamated into one national force, Police Scotland, in 2013.