Introduction

Diffley Partnership was commissioned to conduct regular polling of the Scottish adult (16+) public on policing in Scotland and related issues of interest to the Scottish Police Authority (SPA). This report sets out the key findings of the third wave of polling, conducted from 18th to 23rd July 2023. wave 1 was conducted in July/August 2022 and wave 2 in January/February 2023.

Methodology

The survey was drafted jointly by Diffley Partnership and the SPA in consultation with the SPA. The survey and its insights include both key indicators which are captured at regular intervals as well as topical elements to inform the SPA’s decisions and strategy.

Invitations to complete the survey were sent out through the online ScotPulse panel between the 18th - 23rd July 2023, and received 2,718 responses. Responses were tabulated and analysed quantitatively, including significance testing for between groups differences in opinion. Survey data is weighted to the age and gender profile of the Scottish
population.

Presentation and interpretation of findings

This report summarises the key findings of this polling, drawing out noteworthy findings and between groups differences. We begin by exploring people’s confidence and trust in the police compared to the last two waves of data collection, before exploring new questions  focusing on the levels of antisocial behaviour observed in local areas and perceptions of institutional discrimination.

We explore each aspect in turn, with the aid of data visualisations, and comment on significant differences between demographic groups.