Latest Police Scotland performance report highlights lower officer numbers
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A combination of increasing and increasingly complex demand, along with a reduction in police officers and staff, is having a detrimental effect on Police Scotland’s performance, according to a report being presented to the Scottish Police Authority on Tuesday, September 12.
T/Deputy Chief Constable Alan Speirs said: “Police Scotland’s funding allocation this year represents a real terms reduction and as a result the number of police officers has reduced to around 16,600.
“This is a challenging time for our officers and staff. They are being asked to respond to increasing and increasingly complex community and individual needs, which is evidenced by a higher number of calls to Police Scotland.”
The performance report for April-June 2023 also showed the service received around 600,000 calls, with over 420,000 incidents recorded.
T/DCC Speirs added: “The report also makes clear that combating cybercrimes, such as online child sexual abuse, pose extremely significant challenges, and the vast majority of frauds have an online or cyber element. Our Policing in a Digital World programme supports our commitment to keeping people safe wherever they live and work.
“Hard choices are being taken to maintain effective policing within the funding available.
"Action is being taken to achieve savings, however, areas which encounter the greatest demand and which carry the greatest risk in keeping people safe, are being prioritised for resources to ensure policing continues to address harm and protect the vulnerable.”
Although the challenges facing Police Scotland should not be underestimated, the report also highlights that officers continue to provide effective policing to communities across the country day.
T/DCC Speirs added:“All 17 homicides recorded in the first three months of 2023-24 were detected. This continues Police Scotland’s exceptional performance, and commitment to the families of victims, in this area.
“Our pro-active action to disrupt the activities of those involved in serious organised criminality is welcomed. During the reporting period millions of pound worth of illegal drugs including street Valium tablets were seized.
“The number of attempted murders and serious assaults has seen a decrease compared to last year and the five-year mean.
“I am pleased that we can report that our national roll-out of Naloxone is now complete and 12,500 of our officers are now equipped with the life-saving nasal spray. It has been administered on more than 300 occasions, and contributes to the partnership approach to helping prevent the harm caused by drugs.”
