Main items and key issues - Policing Performance Committee

Public Confidence and Partnership Activity

HMICS Domestic Abuse Phase 1 Review – Members welcomed the findings from HMICS and focused on the dependencies between this and the previous item in relation to the importance of local policing in delivery. Members are keen to understand the linkages between the response to these recommendations and wider activity such as the public Protection development Programme and implementation of the Violence against Women and Girls Strategy. The inconsistencies highlighted in the report were of particular focus for committee, with further detail on action to address this expected when the improvement plan is presented in September. Members also agreed to refer this report to the People Committee given its relevance to the remit and focus of the committee.

HMICS/Inspectorate of Prosecution in Scotland/Care Inspectorate and HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland Joint Review of Diversion from Prosecution

Members welcomed the report and insights shared by HMI in presentation of the report; focusing on the importance of partnership working, communications and robust data sharing. ACC Middleton updated members on work underway internally in Police Scotland to communicate direct measures available to officers such as FPNs. Members look forward to seeing the partnership improvement activity underway in response to this review and stressed the need for continued partnership working to deliver on improvements.

SPA & Police Scotland – Joint Response to IAG on New and Emerging Technologies in Policing
Andrew Hendry and Scott Ross provided members with summary of the report and members welcomed the activity in progress to complete the 5 recommendations.

Policing in a Digital World Update
Members provided their support and endorsement for the planned programme of work including the Rights Based Pathway. Members acknowledged that CAID FM and BERLA have been through the pathway and as a result Police Scotland wish to activate this technology.

Update on Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme (ESMCP)
Members welcomed the report and acknowledged the slower than desired progress in the transition from Airwave to ESN (Emergency Services Network). Members were advised that the timeline for delivery of ESN will be dependent on the outcome of the new supplier in early 2024.

Biometrics Commissioner’s review of children and young people and vulnerable adults.
Dr Brian Plastow, the Biometrics Commissioner, expressed satisfaction with Police Scotland’s commitment to implement all of the recommendations. Members encouraged Police Scotland to provide an Improvement Plan at a future committee. Members showed support for the joint approach between the SPA and Biometrics Commissioner and welcomed future opportunities to work in partnership.

Performance Reporting and Improvement Activity

Quarterly Policing Performance Report (Q4)
Members noted the significant detail available in the report. Discussion focused on increasing levels of fraud, public confidence insights, and increases in rape crimes. Members stressed the need to triangulate data and insights, and a desire to look at deep dives on key thematic areas over the course of 2023/24 reporting. Members stressed again their desire to see the quarterly report draw out insights on the impact resourcing decisions have on performance.

Performance Framework Refresh 2023
Members acknowledged the focus on improvement, comparability and benchmarking and encouraged the commitment to provision of disaggregated insights and data over the lifetime of the framework. Police Scotland were encouraged to work with local authorities to develop the local policing case studies and insights proposed. Members restated the essential contribution that the performance framework, and subsequent reporting against it, makes to supporting good scrutiny and demonstrating impact of activities detailed in the annual police plan. Members asked that a series of deep dives on key themes and priority areas are planned in over the course of the performance year.

National Crime Agency Q3/Q4 Report on Performance in Scotland – Members were provided with an overview of the first public report on NCA performance in Scotland and noted the intention that this will become a bi-annual report. Members welcomed the activities and partnership work in progress and look forward to future developments.
Stop and Search Performance Update - Members welcomed this model of comparative analysis and the insights it provides, requesting that further detailed analysis is undertaken which includes insights from positive searches and an intersectional perspective. Members are keen to understand variations across Scotland and the plans in place to ensure consistency of approach.

Places of Safety for Children in Conflict with the Law
Scott Ross provided Members with an overview of the November 2022 event which attracted over 100 attendees and Cllr Chalmers expressed the desire that COSLA Children and Young People Board be included in future engagement. Members noted that following on from this event, policing divisions and their representative local authorities are convening events to consider operational approaches/improvements in this area.

Independent Custody Visiting (ICVS) Annual Report
Members welcomed the detail provided in the ICVS Annual Report and acknowledged ICV Susan Stokes’ commentary on dignity, healthcare and mental health and wellbeing of those in custody. An issue with the sizes of anti-ligature outfits was raised and Chief Supt McCreadie advised that he would follow this up.
Operational Policing Policy

Local Policing Service Delivery Review Update
Members welcomed the intent from Police Scotland to ensure the continued external engagement with partners such as COSLA and SOLACE and wider partnerships. Members explored the themes and sought further detail on locality and locations specifically relating to accessibility. Police Scotland provided assurance that this is firmly on their radar and they will address issues as they arise and consider longer term thinking on this topic. Members noted the increasing trend in Fraud crime in the virtual space and enquired how this would be captured in Local Policing. Members were advised that Police Scotland are currently working on a Capability Map and will consider how best to record this in conjunction with Policing in a Digital world activity. Members commended the methodology in this review and expressed a keenness to be provided with the benefits of the programme as Police Scotland work through the pilot phase and beyond.

Criminal Justice Services Division (CJSD) Vision and Direction Update
Chief Supt Gordon McCreadie provided members with an overview of the report including an update on Children in Custody, Public Health and the positive impact on the recent changes in custody shift patterns.

Remotely Piloted Air Systems (RPAS) Update
ACC Mark Williams presented an overview of the report, including detail around procurement, roll out and the next steps. Members were advised that the Air Support Strategy will be presented to members at September PPC.

Taser Rollout Update
Members noted the report from ACC Williams. He advised members that whilst there is no specific policy for TASER use on children and young people he is satisfied that the current policy ensures that any usage of TASER is proportionate and has strict guidelines that must be followed before, during and after any deployment.