The Scottish government has been accused of breaking its promise to put more than 300 extra police officers on the beat this year.

Figures released by the Scottish Police College reveal that 270 officers have been trained, 53 fewer than ministers had promised.

Kenny MacAskill, the justice minister, last year tried to water down his manifesto commitment to recruit 1,000 extra officers by retaining personnel due to retire, recruiting new ones and putting desk bobbies back on the beat.

The disappointing figures have provoked a backlash from the Conservatives, who made the recruitment of 1,000 extra police officers a key condition of backing the minority government’s £30 billion budget.

Ministers had promised that 323 new officers would enrol for training at the Scottish Police College in Tulliallan, , by the end of March this year. “There are no excuses if the money provided has failed to maximise the number of officers actively patrolling the streets,” said Bill Aitken, justice spokesman for the Scottish Tories.

Labour said Scottish taxpayers would want to know what had happened to the millions of pounds pledged for the recruitment.

The Scottish government said it was committed to its target of 1,000 extra officers but recruitment decisions were the preserve of chief constables. The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland said not all recruits pass the assessment, causing a shortfall in the number at the college.

Meanwhile, MacAskill is negotiating in Westminster for the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency to be allowed to arm its officers with guns and CS spray without permission from the Home Office.

Times Recommends

• Charles blazes trail as sun king
• Thalidomiders win payout 50 years on
• Libel gag on talk of 'medical hurricane'