Civil matters - There is a difference between criminal and civil matters. Civil matters do not come under the remit of the police and include issues such as:
- Debt,
- Housing disputes,
- Bankruptcy,
- Divorce and dissolution of civil partnerships,
- Parental rights and responsibilities; Adoption,
- Road crash compensation.
For advice about a civil matter you should contact a lawyer. The Citizens Advice Bureau can also provide free and impartial advice. Citizens Advice Bureau - 0800 800 9060.
Noise Complaints: The Land and Environmental Services department of your Local Authority will deal with your noise complaint. Further advice and FAQs can be found on Ask the Police.
Dogs: If you have concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a dog please contact the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Tel: 03000 999 999
Your Local Authority dog warden is responsible for the collection of stray dogs. Police Scotland will not attend a report of a stray dog unless its behaviour is threatening or dangerous.
Further advice and FAQs can be found on the Ask the Police.
Parking: Parking offences have been ‘decriminalised’ in many areas of Scotland. They are now dealt with by the local authority community traffic warden service. You should contact your local authority to confirm if parking has been decriminalised in your area.
In areas where parking has been decriminalised, offences are subject to a civil penalty notice.
Police officers will no longer have powers to take enforcement action against vehicles parked in contravention of yellow lines (single or double), timed parking restrictions, loading bays, disabled parking bays or areas of ‘pay and display’ parking.
Police Officers can still issue endorsable and non-endorsable fixed penalty notices in a decriminalised area. This is for offences such as dangerous parking, obstruction and stopping within the controlled area of pedestrian crossings. This should be reported by calling 101.
Further advice and FAQs can be found on the Ask the Police.