Crime figures result of new recording system in Scotland

Scottish commanders have said an apparent worsening of crime figures is partly due to a new recording standard and the introduction of centralised call handling.

The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland commented on the latest crime figures showing the impact of a new recording standard.

ACPOS was responding to the publication of crime and firearms statistics by the Scottish Executive and the publication of the HMIC Thematic Inspection of the Scottish Crime Recording Standard (SCRS).

Chief Constable Peter Wilson, President of ACPOS, said: “There can be no doubt that while the figures may look worse than usual, they reflect the staged introduction of a new Scottish Crime Recording Standard, and in some cases, the introduction of centralised call handling.

As predicted, recorded crime in some categories has risen across Scotland as forces move from an evidence-based approach, to a victim-centred one. It is worth noting that violent crime, which is largely unaffected by the new counting regime, has come down. Nonetheless the police forces in Scotland are committed to continue doing what they can to reduce violent crime.”

The SCRS was introduced on April 1 last year changing the basis upon which crime is recorded. This approach, once its introduction settles down, should bring all eight of the country`s Forces into line in the way in which crime is recorded.

The standard was developed by ACPOS after auditors and Her Majesty`s Chief Inspector of Constabulary recommended that each Force should use the same method.

The principal change to the old system is that, in most cases, a member of the public reporting a crime will have that crime recorded at face value. Previously, an examination of evidence available to confirm a crime had taken place was undertaken before a crime report was created.

On firearms statistics, Chief Constable Wilson said:

“Much work is being done across the country to tackle illegal gun ownership. Again the new Standard has affected figures and there has been a rise compared to last year. However we have to recognise that firearms offences remain 42% down on the peak in 1991/1992.

“I also think it is important that our communities get an idea of the generally low scale of gun crime. Firearms are only used in a tiny fraction of all crimes in Scotland and I do not think people truly appreciate that because of the high profile nature given to these offences.”