Foreign suspects cost £2m in translators

Apr 13 2008 By Norman Silvester

SCOTS police are being forced to spend millions on translators for asylum seekers and migrants.

Forces are expected to spend more than £2million in the next four years on interpreters due to the rising number of foreign workers and refugees.

Last week Strathclyde Police revealed they expect to pay £859,000 over the next four years.

The bill was £70,000 two years ago.

Dumfries and Galloway Police's spending has increased from £156 in 2003 to £140,035 last year.

Central Scotland Police spent £42,000 last year up from £8066 in 2003, while Fife's costs soared £6000 to £28,551 last year.

Tayside's spending doubled to £44,491, while Grampian saw a rise of £5000 to £37,695.

Lothian and Borders' costs rocketed to £101,584 last year from £44,000 in 2004, while Northern Constabulary spent £17,512 compared with £8800.