Scottish police continue to benefit from new mapping agreement

Police in Scotland will continue to have access to essential mapping data following an agreement between the Scottish government and Ordnance Survey to renew the One Scotland Mapping Agreement (OSMA).

The new agreement, which went live last month, means that local and central government organisations, including the new Scottish Police Authority, can continue to benefit from being part of a single agreement for Ordnance Survey data.

The police routinely use different scales of Ordnance Survey mapping to improve searches in remote areas.

The OSMA includes a broad range of Ordnance Survey data, including OS MasterMap Topography and Integrated Transport Network Layers as well as almost all the supporting scales of mapping.

The OSMA was established in 2010 and is now being used by 112 Scottish public sector organisations. Through the agreement, users are accessing a diverse range of Ordnance Survey datasets which have become an essential tool in delivering public services, underpinning decision-making, driving cost savings and enabling greater data sharing.

John Kimmance, Ordnance Survey director of sales and market development, said: “The OSMA represents an excellent example of cooperation between Scottish government and Ordnance Survey, offering a wide range of mapping data to its members.”