A 'cookie' is a small file that websites use to assist the you when you are on the internet. Cookies help your computer to find its way round the site; they make it easier to access various features of a site. They also provide high-level statistics which assist in improving the website experience.

The cookies used on this site do not store or access any information that could be used to identify you personally but they are necessary for using the site to its full potential.

How do cookies work?

When you visit a website, cookies are placed on your user device. The cookies store information; this is then sent back to sites you visit. The cookies can be used to provide a profile of the places you visit on a website, such as: what pages you visit, and, how long you spend on them. A website may use this information for tailoring the pages that you see.

How to refuse the use of cookies

You may refuse to allow cookies. You do this by selecting the appropriate settings on your browser. However, please note that if you do refuse them, you may not be able to use the full functionality of the website. Using this website, you consent to the processing of data about you in the manner and for the purposes set out above.

For further information on what cookies are and how to refuse them, you can visit the following website:

www.allaboutcookies.org

Do websites need permission to use cookies?

Yes. The regulations which set out the rules on cookies changed on 26 May 2011. Since that date, websites have had to get your consent to use cookies. This means that cookies are not permitted unless you agree to them.

Why does the Scottish Police Authority use cookies?

The Authority want to provide you with the best possible website experience. We use analytics to gather information about the ways that visitors use our website. This is to help us improve its performance and to ensure that the pages you use are delivered quickly, by remembering the areas you like to visit.

What cookies does the Authority website use?

The cookies used on this site are detailed below.

Third Party Cookies

This website makes use of services provided by third parties. Below is a brief overview of these parties and links to further reading on how each uses cookies.

Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics to collect information on how visitors use our site. This allows us to improve our site for your benefit, but the cookies collect anonymous data.

You can get further information on the cookies used by Google Analytics from their ‘Google Analytics Cookie Usage on Websites’ page.

Google Translation

We use Google Translation to allow you to translate our site content into your language. You can find out more about cookies used by Google from their ‘Privacy Policy’.