HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary in Scotland calls for discussions on ‘proceeds of crime’ spending

HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary in Scotland, Craig Naylor, has used his latest annual report to praise Police Scotland’s response to recent organised crime related violence across Scotland.

But he said such efforts came at significant financial cost.

Mr Naylor said he would like discussions to take place around the introduction of an Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme (ARIS) in Scotland, where Police Scotland – and other approved bodies – could receive money raised from criminals’ seized assets to spend directly on fighting crime.

A similar scheme allowing police forces to be given ‘proceeds of crime’ money to spend directly tackling crime is already in operation across the rest of the UK.

Mr Naylor said: “The early months of 2025 have seen a return of significant violence and disorder associated with serious organised crime groups.

“Police Scotland’s operational activity has resulted in a significant number of arrests.

“However, the increasingly complex nature of such criminality reinforces the need to ensure policing continues to have the resources required to protect communities across Scotland from those who seek to cause the greatest harm.

“In England, Northern Ireland and Wales, Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) reporting agencies can and do receive money from the proceeds recovered from crime under the ARIS.

“The Home Office encourages agencies to invest ARIS funds into areas that will increase asset recovery or, where appropriate, to fund local crime fighting priorities.

“This process is not applicable in Scotland.

“At a time of increasing demand, I would be encouraged to see conversations to consider if some funding could be released from seized assets to bolster the fight against organised crime – and maintain Scotland’s position as a top performer in this area.”

Mr Naylor’s annual report states that during 2023/24 more than £10 million was recovered in Scotland using Proceeds of Crime legislation.

It notes the Scottish government’s CashBack for Communities programme, which is funded by POCA seizures, has had significant impact across communities, providing free activities and programmes for young people across Scotland – including those at risk of offending or reoffending.

Elsewhere in the UK ‘proceeds of crime’ assets to the value of £243.3 million were recovered from confiscation, forfeiture and civil recovery orders during 2023/24.

From this, £98.1 million of ARIS money was distributed to Proceeds of Crime Act reporting agencies – including police forces, to fund local crime fighting priorities.

In his 2024/25 annual report, Mr Naylor said the reform of policing in Scotland had “undoubtedly strengthened” its ability to effectively tackle the threat from organised crime groups, compared with before the creation of one national police service in Scotland.

He said: “These events are often contained within a limited geographical area, but on this occasion have stretched across the east and west regions of the country.”

He added: “These attacks also remind us of the transnational nature and risk posed by organised crime groups and the need for police and law enforcement agencies to work globally to target those involved in directing such activities.”

Mr Naylor said that over the past 12 months, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) had carried out a number of detailed inspections.

He said HMICS reports published in the last year included a review of the Scottish Police Authority (SPA), and inspections of road policing, and the police response to missing persons.

HMICS had also carried out joint inspections with other scrutiny partners, in areas including adult support and protection, children at risk of harm, and of police custody centres.

Mr Naylor said work was underway on a joint review with HM Inspectorate of Prosecution in Scotland to look at the citation system in Scotland, and on a review with Audit Scotland to look at ‘Best Value’ arrangements across Scottish policing

He welcomed the recent passing of the Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) (Scotland) Act 2025 by the Scottish Parliament.

He said the Bill addressed recommendations made by HMICS relating to the vetting of police officers, and gave the chief constable power to dismiss any officer who cannot sustain basic vetting standards.

However, he said further work was needed to address the financial impact of the new legislation.

He said: “Too little consideration has been given to the wider impact of the legislation – and how this could affect a number of organisations including Police Scotland, the SPA , the Police Investigations and Review Commission (PIRC), and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.

“As part of our scrutiny plan for the next three years, we will inspect how Police Scotland – and others – engage in the proactive work required to assess the likely cost – and other demands that this new legislation will bring.”

Mr Naylor said Police Scotland had been on a reform journey since its creation in 2013, and opportunities remained to redesign the organisation to meet future budgetary challenges.

He added: “Policing in Scotland is a complex and multifaceted activity.

“The reform journey cannot simply be a further reduction of capability and capacity within policing.

“The work that is underway to improve the organisation even further will be challenging and it will take time to deliver outcomes.

“This has to be done while continuing to deliver the high quality of service that the people of Scotland demand and deserve.”

Commenting on the report, Stewart Carle, general secretary of the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents (ASPS), said: “ASPS notes the detailed findings of His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary’s annual report for 2024/25 and welcomes Mr Naylor’s observations on the potential benefits and opportunities to fight organised crime through the extension of the Home Office’s Asset Recovery Incentivisation Schemes to Scotland.

“Serious and organised crime gangs operate across policing boundaries throughout the UK, and monies seized from those gangs could do much to assist Police Scotland’s operational capabilities to disrupt and catch those criminals whose wanton offending is a blight on our communities.

“Further, we welcome Mr Naylor’s observations that, ‘the reform journey cannot simply be a further reduction of capability and capacity within policing’, and we would add that the evolution of Police Scotland is dependent upon a sustained commitment by Scottish government to invest back into policing a fair portion of the £300 million that the police reform programme has returned year-on-year to the Exchequer.

“This includes investment in new estate best located to serve urban, suburban and rural communities, new technologies to improve public contact and specialist resources to tackle policing priorities such as cybercrime and road safety, as well as investing in Policing for Our Communities, putting constables and sergeants back into community policing teams.”