Chief Constable Jo Farrell has apologised to the LGBTQI+ communities of Scotland for the pain caused through injustices, including policing’s role in enforcing laws which criminalised love and identity:
I believe passionately in the value that policing brings to our communities: keeping people safe from harm, protecting the vulnerable, bringing criminals to justice, solving problems, and reducing offending. We stand up for, and with our communities, which strengthens them, improves their wellbeing, and allows them to prosper.
That value must be for all our communities. Everyone must know that when policing talks about keeping people safe, that applies to them. All must feel able to speak to the police, to report a crime or to share information knowing they’ll be treated with dignity and respect. I also want people from all communities to see policing as a potential career.
It is a matter of deep regret that these values, over a period of decades have not always applied to the LGBTQI+ communities of Scotland.
Chief Constable Jo Farrell has apologised to the LGBTQI+ communities of Scotland for the pain caused through injustices including policing’s role in enforcing laws which criminalised love & identity.
As Chief Constable, I would like to extend a sincere apology, for the recent and historical injustices and discrimination that members of LGBTQI+ communities in Scotland have faced. At times policing has not only failed to protect you but has contributed to the mistreatment and prejudice many have endured.
Laws which criminalised love and identity were wrong, and policing must recognise and reflect upon our role in enforcing them. I am truly sorry for the serious and long-lasting physical and mental pain and harm caused, both to my internal colleagues, and to our communities.
Police Scotland is determined to build an inclusive Service, free from discrimination, for all our communities.
We will advocate for and support third party reporting to increase confidence and overall reporting.
We are empowering leaders to build inclusive teams; improving our education and training for all our officers and staff to ensure they understand and respect the issues facing the LGBTQI+ communities and on equality laws; focusing on our values and standards; and delivering a clear and consistent message that there is no place in Police Scotland for prejudice.
And we will reintroduce specialist liaison officers to work with the community and support officers and staff.
It is important that we take responsibility for our actions to build a future where everyone feels safe and supported.
I am dedicated to building a service that you can trust, one that is inclusive, respects diversity, and protects the rights and dignity of all individuals.
I hope this apology can contribute to the necessary progress to ensure the value of policing is for all communities.
See behind the scenes as we showcase our policing talent at our Recruitment and Training Centre in Jackton on Saturday, 1 June, 2024 between 10am and 3pm.
Come along on Saturday, 1 June to find out more about the wide variety of jobs available in policing from police officer to support staff roles and opportunities to volunteer as a special constable.
At this event you can:
Speak to serving police officers, staff, forensics teams and special constables and find out what it is like to work for Police Scotland or the Scottish Police Authority.
See demonstrations from our dog unit, mounted branch, marine unit, public order and armed policing specialists.
Have the chance to take part in a mock fitness assessment we use for police officer and special constable recruitment.
Learn more about the recruitment and vetting process.
Find out about high quality training and development opportunities.
Policing is a job like no other. It’s not just about upholding the law and catching criminals, it’s also about supporting communities by building trust, respect, and positive relationships. It can be physically and emotionally demanding, but you will be there to make a difference to those who need it most.
All policing colleagues, from police officers to staff in support roles and our volunteer special constables, play an important part in improving the safety and wellbeing of people, places and communities across Scotland.
Please note that sign up for this event is not required. However, those who do register for the event will be able to receive reminders and updates about the behind the scenes recruitment showcase event, any future recruitment events and job opportunities
Behind the scenes – recruitment showcase event
What can you expect at the event
See behind the scenes as we showcase our policing talent at our Recruitment and Training Centre, Jackton, G75 8GR on Saturday, 1 June, 10am – 3pm.
At this event you can:
Speak to serving police officers and police staff, find out what it is like to work for Police Scotland and learn about the wide variety of jobs available from police officer and support staff roles to opportunities to volunteer as a special constable
See demonstrations from our dog unit, mounted branch, public order and armed policing specialists
Have the chance to take part in a mock fitness assessment we use for police officer and special constable recruitment
Learn more about the recruitment and vetting process
Find out about high quality training and development opportunities.
Event timetable
Our behind the scenes recruitment showcase event will run from 10am-3pm.
However you can drop in throughout the day at any time that suits you based on the inputs you would like to see.
We will have mock fitness assessments and demonstrations of various policing specialisms.
Policing specialisms on display include:
public order
traffic and police vehicles
dog unit
mounted branch
dive and marine unit
armed policing and taser
air support unit
working at heights
There will be opportunities, throughout the day, for you to talk to representatives from our Positive Action and Probationer Training teams.
Our Police Staff Recruitment teams will be there along with lots of business areas such as, Vetting, Contact Command and Control service, Forensic Services, Digital Division and others.
You will also be able to learn about wellbeing support and speak to representatives from Diversity Staff Associations, which are open to all colleagues of Police Scotland, and police charity partners.
There are also various information sessions taking place in our Lecture Theatre during the day:
10.30 – Recruitment Process and Positive Action Team
10.50 – Vetting Input
11.00 – Scottish Police College
11.15 – Probationer Training
11.30 – Lecture theatre interval
11.50 – Specialist Crime Division
12.00 – Recruitment Process and Positive Action Team
12.20 – Vetting Input
12.30 – Scottish Police College
12.45 – Probationer Training
13.30 – Recruitment Process and Positive Action Team
13.50 – Vetting Input
14.00 – Scottish Police College
14.15 – Probationer Training
14.30 – Lecture theatre close
Refreshments will be available to purchase from our canteen throughout the day.
Travel and Parking
You can travel to Jackton Police College, Eaglesham Road, East Kilbride G75 8GR by car or train.
Hairmyres train station is a 24 minute walk from Jackton Police College. Frequent trains run from Glasgow Central station to Hairmyres.
For those planning to travel by car, limited parking is available on site. We have set up various overflow car parks.
Our overflow car parks are located at:
Redwood Avenue, East Kilbride
Redwood Court, East Kilbride
Orbital Court, East Kilbride
Redwood Nursery, East Kilbride
A shuttle bus will be available to collect you from Redwood Court, East Kilbride, if you have parked in an overflow car park, to take you to our Recruitment and Training Centre. Our shuttle bus will run regularly throughout the day.
Register now
You can attend our event with your family and friends, and children are welcome. No dogs, except guide dogs are permitted at this event
You can sign up for our event online now using the register button below. However, sign up for this event is not compulsory.
Those who do register for the event will be able to receive reminders and updates about the behind the scenes recruitment showcase event, any future recruitment events and job opportunities.
Two men and a woman have been convicted of human trafficking and brothel keeping offences in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Qin Huang, 31, Xiao Min, 38, and Guolei Huang, 35, pled guilty at the High Court in Glasgow today (Tuesday, 28 May, 2024).
They are due to be sentenced on Tuesday, 25 June, 2024.
Detective Inspector Mark Dines said: “Human trafficking is a despicable crime that has an unmeasurable long-term impact on its victims.
“We are committed to working with our partners to conduct thorough investigations, to identify those responsible and to protect vulnerable victims from harm.
“During this operation we worked in partnership with the Home Office Criminal & Financial Investigation Team and received assistance from officers of the Metropolitan Police and Cambridgeshire Constabulary.
“We will continue in our efforts to tackle human trafficking and information from people within our communities is key to helping us to identify those involved.
“I ask that anyone with any information or concerns about the welfare of someone they suspect has been trafficked to contact us on 101.”
Scottish Businesses to benefit from global expert insight on tackling Modern Slavery
Scotland Against Modern Slavery (SAMS), which focuses on the elimination of modern slavery and human trafficking has announced an accelerator series of webinars designed to help Scottish businesses tackle the issue in their supply chains.
Businesses in Scotland have supply chains, and often operations, which span the globe. The International Labour Organisation believes that 63% of forced labour happens in the private economy, which accounts for 16million of the 28million men, women, and children in forced labour.
In Scotland alone, 765 referrals were made to Police Scotland as potential victims of human trafficking last year – the highest number since records began. This is up from 600 in 2022.
Human rights and supply chain expert, Elaine Mitchel-Hill, has engaged with SAMS to develop and deliver a Human Rights in Supply Chain Accelerator Series on a pro-bono basis.
She said: “The introduction of the UK Modern Slavery Act in 2016 has had limited impact on tackling human rights abuses by corporations, and there are moves to review and address these, including the recent Commercial and Public Authorities Duty (Human Rights and Environment) Bill put forward by Baroness Young of Hornsey.
“Global environmental and human rights due diligence legislation is moving apace, signalled most recently by the passing of the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive.
“The truth is that many businesses still do not know where human rights risks lie. Nor do they know where to begin to find out where risks lie. Too many have their heads buried in a ‘compliance’ only approach.
“Still more are not significantly motivated by potential prosecutions and fines – although this is changing. This accelerator series is a great opportunity to engage with global experts to learn and to share.”
Shan Saba, director at Brightwork and a founder of SAMS, said: “The stats don’t lie and this issue is not going away so we hope as many people as possible sign up to the SAMS Human Rights in Supply Chain Accelerator Series to learn more and thereby improve the situation.
“Slavery is a global issue so listening to and learning from our international partners will be invaluable in our efforts to help ensure compliance, eliminate modern slavery, and support human rights.
“Since inception, SAMS has brought together the Scottish Government with over 56 businesses, charities, and NGOs, with the core aims of raising awareness of the problem, supporting survivors into positive employment opportunities and protecting vulnerable communities from exploitation.
“All areas of Scotland have reported cases of human trafficking – anyone can be susceptible, and it is happening in our towns, cities and rural communities, as well as in our global supply chains.”
The law surrounding the misuse of pyrotechnics at football will be the focus of a new short-life working group set up by the Scottish Government.
The group will consider the evidence on, and possible barriers to, the use of Football Banning Orders as a penalty for pyrotechnic possession and misuse.
It is already a criminal offence to take or try to take a pyrotechnic into football matches, while carrying pyrotechnics in public without a reasonable excuse was recently made an offence through the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022. The Act gives police powers to stop and search someone where they have reasonable grounds to believe that the person may be in possession of a pyrotechnic in a public place.
Football Banning Orders (FBOs) can be imposed by a Court for up to ten years for violent offences at matches, which could include throwing a lit pyrotechnic as a weapon. The working group will consider if extending the scope of FBOs would be an effective way to further deter the carrying and misuse of pyrotechnics at football.
The expert working group includes representation from the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) and Scottish Football Association, Football Safety Officers Association, Police Scotland and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and is expected to report next year.
Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown said: “Everyone should be able to enjoy the excitement and atmosphere of a football match without the fear of serious injury from pyrotechnics.
“We have considerably strengthened pyrotechnic laws, and those who carry fireworks and pyrotechnics in public and into football stadia can face fines and up to six months in prison. Despite this, pyrotechnic misuse at football matches remains an issue.
“We have been working closely with football’s governing authorities and with police on what more can be done to stop this antisocial and dangerous behaviour at football matches.
“Football Banning Orders of up to 10 years, are already an effective measure courts have at their disposal to deal with violent behaviour and I have asked this working group to consider whether extending their reach would be a further deterrent to pyrotechnic possession and misuse.
“Consisting of representatives from football and the justice sector, their review will also take views from clubs, fan groups, as well as front-line services.”
Calum Beattie Chief Operating Officer of the SPFL, said: “The dangers of pyrotechnics in crowded football stadia are significant and our clubs are keen to work with the Scottish Government, police and the courts to find meaningful ways of tackling this growing problem.
“Recent surveys have also shown that most fans believe there is no place for these devices at games. We are looking forward to playing an active role in this group to examine further how football banning orders can form part of a package of deterrence for any fans tempted to smuggle these dangerous items into grounds.”
Superintendent Chris Stewart of Police Scotland said: “The public have the right to feel safe when they attend football matches and we work with a range of partners, including the clubs, to make sure these events are safe and secure.
“We will engage with the review and support partners involved.”
POLICE are appealing for information after a traffic enforcement camera was damaged in Edinburgh’s southside.
The incident happened between 10.45pm on Sunday, 19 May and 8am on Monday, 20 May, 2024 on Old Dalkeith Road.
Sergeant Karen Durham said: “Our enquiries to establish the full circumstances are ongoing and we are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed anything to come forward.
“Anyone with information that could assist us is asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident 0051 of 22 May, 2024.”
A man has been sentenced to nine years in prison after being convicted of a series of domestic abuse offences in the Edinburgh area.
Brian Taylor, aged 54, committed these crimes over a period of 15 years.
He was previously found guilty of eight charges following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh and returned for sentencing yesterday – Thursday, 23 May, 2024.
Detective Inspector Mhairi Cooper of the Edinburgh Domestic Abuse Investigation Unit said: “Taylor is an abusive individual who showed no remorse for his violent and abusive behaviour.
“It is incredibly difficult for someone to confront their abuser and I would like to commend the women for their bravery in coming forward during the investigation. Their information was crucial in helping us build the case against him, and I hope this outcome provides them with some sense of closure.
“If anyone is experiencing, or has experienced domestic abuse, please do not hesitate to contact us directly or through one of our partner agencies.”
Two men aged 35 and 41 years have been arrested and charged in connection with an attempted murder which took place in Pennywell Gardens at around 9.15pm on Monday (20 May, 2024).
They are due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today – Thursday, 23 May, 2024, and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.
A 36-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with the death of a 78-year-old woman in Edinburgh on Tuesday (21 May).
Around 8.25am, police were called to a disturbance within a house in Fernieside Crescent. Police and Ambulance attended however 78-year-old Margaret Parker was pronounced dead at the scene.
The 36-year-old man is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today (Thursday, 23 May),
The 36-year-old man has also been charged in relation to the attempted murder of a 55-year-old woman and a 42-year-old woman during this incident. They did not require medical treatment.
Detective Inspector Dougal Begg said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Margaret Parker and everyone affected by this tragic incident.
“A continued police presence can be seen in the area as officers continue their enquiries into this isolated incident.”
A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.
A 36-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the death of a 78-year-old woman in Edinburgh today – Tuesday, 21 May, 2024.
Around 8.25am, police were called to a disturbance within a house in Fernieside Crescent. Police and Ambulance attended and a 78-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
A 36-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the death and enquiries continue.
This was an isolated incident and officers remain in the area to provide public reassurance and anyone with concerns should speak to officers.
A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.
POLICE are appealing for information following a serious assault in North Edinburgh. The incident happened around 9.15pm yesterday (Monday, 20 May, 2024) on Pennywell Gardens.
A 62-year-old man was taken to hospital for treatment.
The first suspect was wearing a blue hooded jacket, black trousers and black trainers, with a blue backpack. The second suspect was wearing a black cap, a black long sleeved top, black shorts and black trainers with a white sole.
Detective Sergeant Alan Sharp said: “Our enquiries are ongoing and we are appealing to anyone who may have seen anything to contact officers.
“We also ask anyone with private CCTV or dash-cam footage of the area at the time to come forward.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident 3965 of 20 May, 2024. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.
