Fewer than one in five incidents reported to police
Victims of domestic violence have been encouraged to seek support and report incidents to police, following a reduction in recorded cases.
Newly published statistics show Police Scotland recorded 61,934 incidents of domestic abuse in 2022-23, a decrease of 4% compared to the previous year.
Most domestic abuse, however, is not reported. The most recent results from the Scottish Crime and Justice Survey (for 2018-20) estimated that only 16% of incidents were reported to police.
Victims Minister Siobhian Brown said: “Domestic violence is abhorrent. Although these latest statistics show a decrease in police recorded incidents, we know that there are cases where violence and abuse is not reported. I would encourage victims to seek support from organisations who can help and, where they can, to report any abuse to police.
“Through Scotland’s Equally Safe Strategy, which focuses on early intervention, prevention and support services, we are putting in place measures to tackle the root causes of domestic abuse.
“It is imperative that where behaviours turn into violence and abuse, those responsible face the full force of the law and are brought to justice. Our landmark Domestic Abuse Act has provided more powers to police and courts to punish perpetrators of abuse and protect people at risk.
“This month we announced £2 million of funding for Rape Crisis Scotland and Scottish Women’s Aid to help reduce their waiting lists for women who need support services, including refuge places and counselling.
“This is in addition to £19 million annual funding from our Delivering Equally Safe Fund, which aims to tackle gender-based violence and has supported 121 projects from 112 organisations since October 2021 – benefitting almost 32,000 people in its first year.”
The Victim Centred Approach Fund will also provide £48 million to 23 organisations from 2022-25, including £18.5 million for specialist advocacy support for survivors of gender-based violence.
Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline (0800 027 1234) provides a 24-hour, 365-day-a-year service, for victims of domestic abuse, sexual violence and other forms of violence against women, providing confidentiality and specialist advice. The Scottish Government has provided £1.9 million funding to the helpline.
Scotland’s Chief Statistician yesterday released domestic abuse recorded by the police in Scotland, 2022-23.The main findings include:
The police recorded 61,934 incidents of domestic abuse in 2022-23, a decrease of 4% compared to the previous year. This is the second consecutive year this figure has shown a decrease since 2015-16.
In 2022-23, 39% of incidents of domestic abuse recorded by the police in Scotland included the recording of at least one crime or offence.
The type of crime or offence that was most frequently recorded as part of a domestic abuse incident in 2022-23 was common assault, accounting for 32% of all crimes and offences recorded. This was followed by threatening and abusive behaviour, accounting for 21% of crimes and offences.
Following its enactment on 1 April 2019, crimes recorded under the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018 accounted for 5% of crimes and offences recorded as part of a domestic abuse incident in 2022-23.
There were 114 incidents of domestic abuse recorded by the police in Scotland per 10,000 population in 2022-23. At a local authority level, Dundee City (180), West Lothian (148) and Glasgow City (141) recorded the highest incident rates per 10,000 population.
Where gender information was recorded, around four-in-five incidents of domestic abuse (81%) in 2022-23 had a female victim and a male suspected perpetrator. This was the same as in 2021-22.
In 2022-23, the 31 to 35 years old age group had the highest incident rate for both victims (277 incidents recorded per 10,000 population) and for the suspected perpetrators (245 incidents recorded per 10,000 population).
A third of incidents (32%) occurred at the weekend in 2022-23. This is a slight decrease from 33% in 2021-22.
In 2022-23, nine-in-10 (90%) of all domestic abuse incidents occurred in a home or dwelling where location was recorded.
The latest additions to Police Scotland’s canine search capability – Digital Evidence Detection Dogs – are currently being trained before they are deployed operationally.
The dogs will assist officers investigating a crime where a digital device, such as a smartphone, tablet and laptop, may have been used and is believed to have been hidden.
The trainee dogs – Zen, a rescue Springer Spaniel, Xena, a Springer Spaniel/Labrador cross, Max a Sprocker, gifted by the previous owners who wanted him to have an active home, Pip, a Malinois/Australian Shepherd Cross, gifted by a member of the public and Willow, a Labrador – and their three specialist handlers are a national resource.
When their specialist training is complete they will be able to detect hidden devices and hardware which existing searches may not be able to identify.
Meet our new Digital Evidence Detection Dogs. They can find hidden digital devices which can help bring offenders to justice.
Watch our video below to find out more about our Digi-dogs 📹⬇️
Assistant Chief Constable Andy Freeburn said: “It is now extremely common for a digital device to be used in criminal activity, which is then concealed by the perpetrator to hide incriminating evidence.
“People and businesses are spending more and more time online and criminals will use any means available to them to exploit vulnerabilities and any method at their disposal. Digital devices are becoming smaller in size and those involved in criminal activity are becoming more adept at hiding them.
“Searches by humans can be limited and the dogs will provide an additional capability which make finding hidden devices easier.
“Police Scotland is committed to keeping everyone safe and this addition to our search capabilities will ensure there is no hiding place for criminals, even in the digital world.”
“The training of the dogs takes between six and eight weeks and when complete they will be an invaluable resource to assist our officers and staff search for evidence.”
The Digital Evidence Detection Dogs search capability is an additional resource and complementary to Police Scotland’s existing canine resources including those dogs that can currently search for drugs, explosives, cash, firearms, human remains and blood.
In December 2023, Benjamin Young from Dunoon was convicted of serious sexual offences against children.
For the first time in Scotland, a Digital Evidence Detection Dog, deployed from another force, assisted during the investigation by carrying out searches which located several SIM cards.
Last week Young was sentenced to 12 years in prison and had an Order of Lifelong Restriction imposed.
POLICE Scotland’s annual motorcycle safety campaign urges drivers to look out for motorcyclists as riders take to the road this summer.
The campaign runs from March to September, covering a period that sees the highest number of motorcyclists killed or seriously injured.
Motorcyclists are one of the most vulnerable road users and are disproportionately represented in the number of people killed on Scotland’s roads.
In 2023/24, there were 151 road deaths and 27 were motorcyclists. Motorcyclists make up around one per cent of all road users yet account for 14 per cent of deaths.
Chief Superintendent Hilary Sloan, head of Road Policing, said: “We all have a responsibility to keep Scotland’s roads safe and motorcyclists are one of the most vulnerable road users.
“We know that most collisions involving a motorcyclist happen between March and September. You are more likely to see a motorcyclist on the road during this time and my message is look out for them, particularly at junctions and in rural areas.
“Failing to look properly or losing control can happen in a split second. Take responsibility and take care of each other on the road.”
Engagement and enforcement activity will take place throughout the spring and summer months using both marked and unmarked police vehicles.
Police Scotland officers, including those from the national motorcycle unit, will be carrying out intelligence led patrols to engage with all drivers and riders.
A man has been jailed for a catalogue of sexual offences committed against four women in East Lothian and Edinburgh.
Gary Yuill, 45, was sentenced to 12 years in prison at the High Court in Edinburgh on Thursday after previously been found guilty by a jury of 21 offences, which included nine counts of rape.
The offences were committed against four women in Haddington, Dunbar, Wallyford, and Edinburgh between 2004 and 2021.
Police first began investigating Yuill following a report of rape which was received from a woman in May 2021. This subsequently led to other victims being identified and the scale of Yuill’s offending revealed. He was arrested and charged in June 2021.
Detective Inspector Laura White said: “Yuill subjected these women to horrific crimes and I would like to thank them for their cooperation as our investigations were ongoing. Hopefully today’s verdict will allow them to move on from this part of their lives.
“I would urge anyone who has been the victim of sexual violence to come forward and report it to us, regardless of the passage of time. We, alongside partner agencies, will support you through the process, investigate thoroughly and bring those responsible to justice.”
POLICE have released images of a man they believe may be able to assist them with their ongoing investigation into an incident in Davidson’s Mains.
The incident happened around 4.20pm on Tuesday, 17 October, 2023, in Davidson’s Mains Park, East Barnton Gardens, and involved a 9-year-old boy.
Police would like to speak to the man in the images who they believe might be able to assist with their enquiry.
He is described as white, aged 18 to 25-years, medium build with short blonde/light brown hair.
He was wearing a black hooded top, black sports shorts with white stripes down the side, black and white trainers and was carrying a can of red bull in his hand.
Detective Inspector Arthur McEwan said: “I am asking anyone who can identify the man in the image or who has information regarding this investigation to contact us.”
Anyone who can help should call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 2643, of Tuesday, 17 October, 2023. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.
Chief Constable Jo Farrell presented her first Annual Police Plan as Scotland’s Chief Constable during a meeting of the Scottish Police Authority yesterday, Thursday 21 March.
Chief Constable Farrell also provided a wide ranging update on how Police Scotland is delivering for the public.
The Chief also highlighted a programme of equestrian training for young people in the east end of Glasgow which was designed and arranged by a Sergeant based in the city and reflected on the annual Bravery Excellence Awards held last month.
More information about the meeting, including the Annual Police Plan and the Chief Constable’s report, is available here.
Chief Constable Farrell’s speaking note is repeated below –
I want to start by reaffirming our apology to the family of Emma Caldwell following the conviction of Iain Packer at the end of February.
Emma Caldwell, her family, and many other victims, were let down by Strathclyde Police in 2005. I am sorry.
I am grateful that I was able to meet Emma’s family and for the opportunity to offer that apology directly and to listen to their perspective and experience and I pay tribute to their dignity and strength in the years since her death.
It is important that Emma’s family and the public get answers to the many questions they have.
On Thursday, March 7, the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs set out that there will be an independent judge-led statutory Public Inquiry to understand what went wrong, to ensure lessons are learned for the future and to provide answers to the victims and survivors involved.
The Lord Advocate has indicated she is taking advice on instructing a police service from outside Scotland to look further at allegations against officers.
Policing in Scotland has reflected and learned from the initial investigation and subsequent re-investigation.
Significant changes have been made in recent years to improve organisational culture and our response, particularly in respect of investigative structures, victim care and processes to these types of crimes.
The delivery of our Violence against Women and Girls Strategy demonstrates our absolute commitment to tackling the violence and abuse that disproportionately affects women and girls.
We now await confirmation of the details of the Public Inquiry. I reiterate my support for the Inquiry and undertake unconditionally that Police Scotland will engage fully with that process. We will fully assist any further steps instructed by the Lord Advocate.
Organisational learning never ends and I am committed to relentlessly improving how Police Scotland respond to and serve the public, and to ensuring officers and staff uphold our values and help to deliver justice for victims.
We will enter the new financial and reporting year with a refreshed leadership team, having appointed new Deputies and with plans for recruitment for Assistant Chief Constables. I will ensure the Force Executive shares and delivers on a change agenda for policing that puts our communities at the heart of everything we do.
My first Annual Police Plan as Police Scotland’s Chief Constable continues to place trust, confidence and performance at the top of our agenda and reflects the priorities and commitments I have directed for the service in the year ahead.
Since taking command, I’ve been clear my operational focus is in three areas – first, addressing threat, harm, and risk; second, prevention, problem solving and proactivity; and third, looking after the wellbeing of officers and staff so they can deliver for the public.
This report shines a light on some examples of how Police Scotland is delivering for the public across the first two areas – securing important court outcomes following our response to murders and attempted murders in the west of Scotland; the latest sentence as part of a major public protection investigation into the sexual abuse of young and vulnerable people in Edinburgh; an initiative to tackle housebreaking and motor theft in Forth Valley; and drug seizures.
Just yesterday, three men were jailed for a total of 59 years in relation to the murders and attempted murders in the west of Scotland.
Also this week, Benjamin Young was given a lifelong restriction order and sentenced to a minimum of 12 years in prison. Young had previously been convicted of 32 charges including serious sexual offending against children in the Argyll area following work by our National Child Abuse Investigation Unit.
In my written report I’ve also outlined the safeguarding of 22 vulnerable people and 16 arrests during a County Lines week of action which also resulted in the recovery of illegal drugs, cash, and offensive weapons, including a firearm.
These hugely positive results are an example of our determination to tackle organised crime and the criminals who profit from drugs, and target the vulnerable, This action is in support of Scotland’s Serious and Organised Crime Strategy.
I’ve also highlighted a preventative programme of equestrian training to support better life chances for young people in the east end of Glasgow which was designed and arranged by a Sergeant based in the city, Lauren Semple.
Building positive relationships with communities and identifying diversion opportunities is an essential part of how we prevent crime.
Through the programme, young people spent time with officers and were provided with a platform to succeed, be empowered, trusted and to develop their social and professional capabilities as they approach adulthood.
The young people involved undertook a Scottish Qualifications Authority qualification in horse care as part of the programme, forging potential future career pathways and opportunities.
In the first year, 22 young people enrolled, and four participants progressed on to higher SQA levels, with a 100% success rate for all participants on the original programme.
Officers also reported broader benefits across community complaints, attendance, and incidents of anti-social behaviour and violence, reducing demand on policing and partner resources.
I want to recognise and thank Sergeant Semple for her work with organisations including the Scottish Racing Academy (SRA), Tannoch Stables, Horse Scotland, the Scottish Police Recreation Association, Hooves and Paws Equestrian Centre, and campus officers across five schools in Glasgow to identify and support the candidates through this programme.
The best of Scottish policing, as well as heroic acts by members of the public, was also celebrated at our Bravery and Excellence Awards, held at Police Scotland Headquarters, Tulliallan, on Friday, 23 February.
It is inspiring to hear from officers who put themselves in harm’s way to protect the public and, at the same time, energising to reflect on the support communities provide to policing.
The awards, and the daily police work I see and hear about, underlines that our officers and staff are our greatest asset.
My third area of focus is my duty to nurture and support officers and staff, provide clear leadership and give them the training, skills and best modern technology to do their job.
I will continue to update the Authority on progress around Body Worn Video, which is an absolute priority for me, and which is outlined as a key milestone in my Annual Police Plan.
My report today also outlines significant progress on a programme to increase the number of Specially Trained Officers who are trained and equipped to carry Taser from 500 to 2,000, an important tactical option which can de-escalate situations and protect public and officer safety.
Of course, to focus on these three areas we need a sustainable, fit for purpose service and the ability to better understand and explain how we can deliver for the public. This month we present two plans – my Annual Police Plan and the budget for policing – which will be important to ensure we progress a necessary second phase of police reform in 2024-25.
I share the Authority’s commitment to producing and delivering balanced budgets for policing. There are very positive indications that the 2023-24 budget will be delivered without the requirement of further contingency funding from the Scottish Government which policing had previously requested. Our confidence around this has allowed us to notify Scottish Government that we will not require the contingency.
This has been achieved by significant focus right across the Service and driven by the Force Executive. It has been extremely challenging and has had operational implications, some of which we have seen pulling through in our performance reporting.
I want to thank everyone who has driven this effort to reduce what was a forecast pressure of around £19m. This has been delivered through really challenging action including a pause on staff recruitment other than for business critical roles; a delay in officer recruitment which has had implications for our resourcing; and by having a very tight grip on overtime spend.
Policing in Scotland’s record of fiscal discipline and rigour has been an important component of stability and credibility in recent years and it is vital that we maintain the progress that has been made.
We propose a balanced budget for policing for 2024-25 and progress on a second phase of police reform is crucial to live within funding while maintaining service and tackling threat, harm and risk.
Our funding allocation for 2024-25 allows us to restart police officer recruitment and next week I will welcome around 200 new recruits into Police Scotland.
We are also carrying out targeted recruitment in rural areas and although our staff recruitment pause remains in place, we are recruiting in priority areas such as C3.
What is equally important, though, is the number of experienced officers performing frontline, operational policing for our communities and how we give those officers the best services and support to do their jobs.
The second phase of police reform will inform how we shape, train, enable, equip and deploy our greatest asset – our officers and staff – to best meet the evolving needs and complexities of our diverse communities at best value.
Where we can release officers, whether through our own redesign or through working differently with partners, I am committed to returning those officers to frontline, operational policing.
My Annual Police Plan outlines a new approach to performance reporting which will help us to better understand and explain our level of service, using hard data across key measures to also inform how we deploy resources and enable effective scrutiny and benchmarking to drive a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
I’ve been clear since taking command Police Scotland will be willing to challenge ourselves so that we continually improve; and so that we are high performing.
Our performance focus must revolve around effective prevention, problem-solving and proactivity which is synonymous with demand reduction.
Our new Performance and Accountability Framework outlines measures across five key themes – Trust and Confidence; Threat, Harm and Risk; Prevention, Problem Solving and Proactivity; Our People; and Enabling Services.
I want police leaders to use the framework to take a values based approach to identify trends; investigate what sits behind them and intervene so that we are high performing and deliver for the public.
Equally, where success has been achieved and evidenced, it is essential we share these examples of good practice and policing delivering for the public with our colleagues and external audiences.
The framework will illustrate performance more clearly and by using hard data. But it is not about chasing targets and we will not drive key measures through practices which are not aligned with our values and which do not genuinely deliver for the public. Policing should not hit targets but miss the point.
Our aim is to bring the frontline of Scottish policing to the strongest position possible within the resources available and that we tackle threat, harm and risk and move from being reactive to high volume but lower risk incidents towards greater prevention and problem solving.
In addition to the planning for a new operating model over next few years, we are beginning to consider longer term plans in terms of where policing will be by, for example, the end of this decade. This work is at a very early stage.
As I’ve been clear, ensuring Scotland continues to be a safe place to live and work is my commitment and priority as Chief Constable.
POLICE are continuing enquiries following the murder of 65-year-old Nashir Ahmed on Sunday, 10 March, 2024.
Mr Ahmed was standing with a 48-year-old man at a bus stop on Ferry Road, Edinburgh, Leith Library, around 8.30pm when they were approached by another man who then attacked them.
Emergency services attended and both men were taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. Mr Ahmed later died in hospital on Friday, 15 March, 2024.
Mr Ahmed’s family said: “Nashir was a loving husband and father. He was a big part of our family and we are devastated at losing him.
“He was heavily involved in Edinburgh’s Bangladeshi community and will be greatly missed. He loved life and cared for all his family and friends. We will always remember his warmth and his kindness.”
His attacker is described as black, around 30-years of age, with short, dark hair. He was wearing a red tartan scarf and a long, black jacket with a hood.
Detective Chief Inspector George Calder said: “A family has been left feeling bereft as they come to terms with losing someone so integral to their lives. The circumstances are heart breaking, and I can’t possibly imagine the pain they are feeling during these difficult times.
“We continue to follow up several lines of inquiry and I would reiterate my appeal to anyone who has any information about this crime or the person responsible to contact us. Any small piece of information could be crucial in our ongoing investigation, so please do pass it on.
“Anyone with information should contact 101 quoting reference 2805 of 10 March. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.”
Following several incidents across the city Police in Edinburgh ask that vehicle owners take note of the following simple prevention measures that could stop your vehicle being stolen –
• Use a steering lock – a visible deterrent to thieves.
• If your vehicle has keyless entry use a Faraday pouch / metal tin to prevent relay theft.
• Do not leave keys close to windows / doors – this aids relay theft and physical theft of the keys.
• If you have a private driveway / parking space, consider fitting a parking bollard.
• Fit a lock to the vehicles On Board Diagnostic (OBD) port to prevent thieves easily re-programming a new key.
• Use a pedal box – these specially designed boxes fit over the drive pedals and lock in place when the vehicle is not in use.
• Physically check doors are locked before leaving your vehicle and don’t leave valuables within.
• Trackers can assist in the recovery of stolen vehicles – check if your vehicle has one and how to obtain information if it is required.
If you see anyone acting suspiciously near to your property please contact the police immediately with as detailed a description as possible of any person or vehicle involved.
Please call 999 if an emergency and urgent police assistance is required or 101 to report the matter to the police.
Officers in Leith have seized drugs worth an estimated street value of £46,000 and charged 16 people with drugs offences as part of Operation Elate in Leith.
In response to community concerns, the operation running through March has seen and will see officers focus on tackling drug crime and drug-related harm in the area. This is a partnership initiative dedicated to disrupting the drugs trade while directing vulnerable adults, young people and children to the support they require.
Enforcement, where necessary, has been taking place with 16 people, aged between 15 and 50, charged in relation to drugs offences. Drugs, including Diamorphine and Cocaine have been seized. Intelligence led-searches have also been carried out under warrant at five addresses in the Edinburgh area.
Sergeant Marr of Leith Police Station said: “Removing illegal drugs and targeting criminals who seek to profit from other people’s misery continues to be a priority for us and our communities.
“People involved in the supply of drugs make money out of addiction and vulnerability. They risk people’s lives for their own financial gain, and often, use this to fund other forms of serious and organised crime.
“As part of our ongoing commitment to tackling this type of criminality, officers are carrying out additional patrols in the Leith area and engaging with the community to identify local concerns so the appropriate action can be taken.
“We rely on the support of the public and we would urge anyone with any information regarding drugs in their communities to contact 101. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.”
