DELIVERING ON OUR PRIORITIES

CHIEF CONSTABLE'S PRIORITIES AND OPERATIONAL OBJECTIVES

Under my leadership changes will be an evolution, not a revolution. As part of that clarity and simplification of our direction I have set our strategic focus.

I am placing Trust, Confidence and Performance at the top of our agenda.

I want us to be highly trusted by the people we serve. When the public call us they must have the confidence that our service delivery will be of the highest possible standard. Key to delivering trust and confidence across our communities is our visible, engaging and proactive local policing teams.

I want us to be willing to challenge ourselves so that we continually improve; and to be high performing. My operational focus will be on three things:

Firstly, focusing on Threat, Harm and Risk, an area where Police Scotland performs exceptionally well, and is in line with our commitment to community wellbeing.

Second, focusing on Prevention, Problem Solving and Proactivity. Reacting to crime and antisocial behaviour is an important part of what we do but will only get us so far. As good as we are at being professionally reactive, further increased success lies in preventing the chances of people becoming the victims of crime.

To successfully tackle new and emerging threats we must get on top of demand.

Our performance focus must revolve around effective prevention, problem-solving and proactivity which is synonymous with demand reduction.

Working closely with our partners, including Scottish Government, we need to address the growing demand placed on us by other agencies. A prime example of this is in the field of Mental Health crises: We will continue to respond to people in crises, but our involvement in mental health has crept way beyond that. We need to redefine our responsibility, and the responsibility of others in the health care professions, so we can protect our priority areas of business. I know this impact is felt most by those officers on the front line.

My third operational focus is staff wellbeing. Our people are the greatest asset we have. I want them to feel supported and included and to have a voice. My objectives can only be achieved if the staff and officers are well and motivated to serve the people of Scotland.

My priorities align neatly with our broader strategic outcomes, but I believe they will bring clarity of purpose and a real focus.

We need to regularly ask ourselves if the activity we’re undertaking improves the safety of our communities or the wellbeing of our staff. If it doesn’t, then we need to stop doing it.

PROTECTING VULNERABLE PEOPLE

Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse Scotland

The eighth anniversary of the implementation of the Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse in Scotland (DSDAS) was reached on 1 October. The scheme is designed to help tackle and prevent domestic abuse, giving people the right to ask on their own behalf, or on behalf of others, for disclosure of information from Police Scotland, should they suspect a current partner may have an abusive past. Where information or intelligence exists, Police Scotland also has the power to tell individuals that they may be at risk of domestic abuse in their relationship. A DSDAS Campaign was devised to coincide with this anniversary and comprised of a three week targeted social media campaign, with a focus on bystander interventions.

Significant Conviction – Non-Recent Sexual Abuse

On 19 September 2023, Alexander Philip, 57, and Craig Hodgkins, 52, were found guilty of sexual offences against five girls aged between six and 13. The offences were committed over a 40 year period between 1978 and 2008. On 27 October 2023, both men received 10 year prison sentences.

The convictions were the result of significant inquiries by specialist officers investigating crimes in Edinburgh, Hamilton and Airdrie.

The offending may have gone undetected had it not been for the bravery of women coming forward and reporting the circumstances to police. I hope the convictions of these men serves as a reminder that time is no barrier for Police Scotland to investigate any report of criminality and we will utilise all resources at our disposal to bring perpetrators of sexual abuse to justice.

Significant Conviction – Non-Recent Child Abuse

On 14 November 2023, at Glasgow High Court, five men aged 41, 45, 47, 47, and 50, and two women aged 39 and 41 were convicted of sexually abusing children in the Glasgow area between 2012 and 2019. A further female, aged 38, was also convicted of assault. All will be sentenced in January 2024.

Following a long complex and challenging investigation for a team of officers and staff who had to work through the most harrowing evidence to bring those responsible for these despicable crimes to justice.

This had been a horrific ordeal for the young victims who were subjected to years of unimaginable abuse. The levels of depravity shown in this case are extremely rare in Scotland and the courage of the victims was essential in securing this conviction.

Our thoughts remain with them and I hope this outcome can help them in moving forward.

WORKING WITH COMMUNITIES

Operation Tarlac - Protests

As a result of the conflict in the Middle East there have been vigils and protests across the UK. Operation Tarlac is the Policing response to these protests.

Engagement and liaison remains ongoing across the UK to ensure shared national situational awareness and consistency in approach to the policing of these events across Scotland.

Since October 7, 126 protests have been held across the country. The policing of these have been proportionate, using local officers, supported by specialist trained Protest Liaison Officers, and involved a static element to the protest followed by impromptu marches.

The tone and nature of these protests in Scotland have been positive and respectful, with few counter-demonstrations being observed. However we have recorded a relatively small increase in the number of hate incidents being reported, and these are being thoroughly investigated.

On Saturday 18 November, 3000 people participated in an unauthorised demonstration in Glasgow city centre, during which a number of pyrotechnics were detonated. The event organiser was warned and subsequently reported in respect of holding an unauthorised procession.

Engagement continues with communities across Scotland and our policing response will continue to be proportionate, and rights based.