Policing Performance Committee

The formal minute of the items of business will be available at the meeting scheduled for December 2024. This will also be published on the Authority’s website.
A full recording of the items of business taken at this meeting can be accessed at Policing Performance Committee - 18 September 2024 | Scottish Police Authority (spa.police.uk)
Main items of business
• Policing Performance Reporting
• Oversight of Operational Policing Matters
• Oversight of Improvement in Policing
• Work Plan

Policing Performance Reporting

• The Q1 Policing Performance Report was discussed at length and Members commended the streamlined format which focussed on identifying exception and best practice. Areas of focus for Committee oversight and scrutiny included partnership working, decrease in 999 and 101 calls, increase in sexual offences and road traffic offences and wellbeing support provided to officers and staff who are victims of assaults.
• It was requested that the Committee receive an update around Police Scotland’s decision-making process when partnering with external organisations.
• The Committee considered the Annual Police Plan Baseline & Metrics report and were assured that the half yearly Annual Police Plan will be presented at the December 2024 Committee. Police Scotland committed to providing detailed timescales for each of the key deliverables.
• Cllr Maureen Chalmers, COSLA Spokesperson for Community Wellbeing, provided an update which covered Hate Crime, Antisocial Behaviours, Firework Control Zones, PREVENT and the Equally Safe Strategy. Members were assured that there is alignment between Police Scotland & COSLA with the Equally Safe Strategy and Police Scotland’s Violence Against Women & Girls Strategy.
• The Policing Performance Committee Priorities & Outcomes were presented and endorsed by Members.
• The Committee considered a report on the key findings and insights gained from Authority commissioned independent public polling. Members highlighted the value of this work and endorsed the continuation of this work to facilitate continuous public interest polling upon conclusion of the existing contract.

Oversight of Operational Policing Matters
• The Committee were updated on the progress of the Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy and welcomed the focus and ongoing commitment to this work. Concerns were raised regarding the impact gender self-identification could have on public confidence. This matter will be discussed further at the Authority Meeting on 26 September 2024.
• Members considered an update on the Policing in a Digital World Programme. Assurances were provided that Police Scotland continue to deliver appropriate training in this space and that there is sufficient funding to do so. The Committee were supportive of the proposal for Police Scotland to engage with The City of London Police to consider implementing their new Fraud and Cybercrime Reporting and Analysis Service (FCCRAS) from Spring 2025.
• Police Scotland provided the Committee with a deep dive analysis of Violence. The Committee commended Police Scotland for their approach to date and their future plans in tackling violence through a coordinated and focussed approach that ensures communities are safe and supported.
Oversight of Improvement in Policing
• Members received an update on the progress relating to HMICS Assurance and Inspection activity. The Committee sought and received assurance that work on the remaining actions is sufficiently advanced to mitigate the associated risks relating to public trust and confidence, staff wellbeing, and service delivery. Members also requested that the format of the report was adjusted to articulate overall progress made against recommendations.
• Members considered Police Scotland’s approach to the governance of biometric data and samples. The Committee sought and received assurance from Police Scotland regarding their confidence to deliver the strategy by Q4 24/25. Members were assured that Police Scotland are clear on the utilisation of technology and their use and storage of data.
• Members considered the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit Annual Report (SVRU). The Committee were encouraged by the work undertaken by the SVRU.
• The Committee received an update from Gerry McLean QPM – National Crime Agency (NCA), which detailed the collaborative work between the NCA and Police Scotland to ensure Moderate and Major disruptions to Organised Criminal Groups in Scotland. The report had a specific focus on Drugs, Fraud, Firearms, Money laundering and Child Sexual Abuse.

Work Plan
• The Committee considered and endorsed the Work Plan for the period of September 2024 – August 2025.

Conclusions Reached

The Committee requested that they receive an update detailing Police Scotland’s decision-making process when partnering with external organisations.

Members endorsed the continuation of the public polling work upon conclusion of the current contract.

The Committee requested that the HMICS Inspections Improvement Plans report was updated to clearly articulate overall progress made against recommendations.

The Committee were assured by Police Scotland that the Biometrics Strategy will be delivered by Q4 24/25.

Policing Performance Committee Work Plan for the period of September 2024 – August 2025 was endorsed.