3 Crime and Operational Policing

Crime Trends

1. While it is estimated that only 37% of crime is reported to the police (1996 Scottish Crime Survey), police crime statistics continue to provide a strong indication of crime trends and individual forces' performance. During 1997/98, the Scottish police recorded 421,015 crimes, 4% less than in the financial year 1996/97.

2. Most of the eight police forces showed a fall in the number of crimes recorded between 1996/97 and 1997/98; Northern (down 13%), Tayside (down 12%), Fife (down 7%), Strathclyde (down 4%), Lothian & Borders (down 3%) and Grampian (down 1 %). Central showed a very small increase of less than 0.5% while Dumfries & Galloway showed an increase of 13%. These figures are shown graphically in Figure 1. Strathclyde Police recorded 928 crimes per 10,000 population in 1997/98 - the highest rate of all forces and Northern Constabulary recorded the lowest number of crimes per 10,000 population (423). These figures are shown graphically in Figure 2.

3. The reasons lying behind sustained reductions in recorded crimes (this year's fall is the 6th successive fall) are complex and not all are directly associated with policing. However some forces have shown what can be done by focusing clearly on priorities identified by crime trends and public opinion and they are to be congratulated. It is vital that forces never become complacent. Constant attention to a planned strategy is the keystone to further success and I am pleased to see forces increasingly commit themselves to crime strategies. Further progress can be made by forces embracing the practical framework for crime reduction contained in the thematic report, "Beating Crime" (HMIC, England and Wales - 1998). In some forces little progress has been made in formalising crime management procedures. All too often I find that this coincides with a lack of clarity in the approach taken to the use of intelligence. The thematic report, "Policing with Intelligence" (HMIC, England & Wales-1997), highlights the effectiveness of a proactive, targeted approach and it is clear that some forces are not yet sufficiently focused. In some instances this is directly linked with poorer performance in terms of recorded crime. It is important that forces address these weaknesses before external factors, genuinely outwith their control, act to force recorded crime levels upwards.

4. However forces do now recognise that crime is not just a matter for the police. It can only be tackled through partnership and the success of Strathclyde Police's Spotlight Initiative has been mirrored in other parts of the country. The strength of partnership which recognises the crucial role which can be played by local authorities, other agencies and the public itself cannot be matched by extra policing alone and I welcome this approach which has much potential for society in the future.

Violence

5. In most of the sub-categories within the non-sexual crimes of violence group, the number of crimes recorded in 1997/98 was lower than the number recorded in 1996/97. The number of murders initially recorded by the police fell from 101 in 1996/97 to 96 in 1997/98-a decrease of 5 %. However, attempted murders increased by 5 % from 614 in 1996/97 to 645 in 1997/98. Recorded cases of serious assault decreased by 8 % from 5,870 in 1996/97 to 5,423 in 1997/98 and the number of cases of "handling an offensive weapon" fell from 6,513 in 1996/97 to 6,191 in 1997/98, a decrease of 5 %. The number of recorded cases of robbery fell by 11 % from 5,118 in 1996/97 to 4,551 in 1997/98. The only sub category to show an increase was the "other" sub - category ; up by 7 % (164 cases) and was mainly attributable to crimes of extortion and cruelty to and neglect of children.

6. During the year there were 2 prostitute murders in Glasgow. This contributes to 7 since 1991 in the Strathclyde Police area and the force has launched a protection package for Glasgow city centre prostitutes. As part of a wide range of measures designed to protect prostitutes from would-be attackers, women are provided with personal attack alarms, leaflets offering practical safety advice, talks and demonstrations of basic fend-off techniques.

7. The handling of the Scott Simpson murder by Grampian Police attracted significant public criticism, leading the force to invite Mr Graham Power, Deputy Chief Constable of Lothian and Borders Police, to conduct an enquiry into all aspects of the police investigation. Following a thorough enquiry, Mr Power's report includes 36 conclusions/recommendations which provide direction for all forces, faced with a similar investigation in the future. The new Chief Constable has sought to implement Mr Power's recommendations and a seminar will be held later this year at the Scottish Police College to communicate lessons learned to all Scottish forces..

8. While the actual level of domestic violence is difficult to assess, I am pleased that my thematic report, "Hitting Home", has generated considerable interest and a positive response from forces in their approach to recording information. The Central Research Unit at The Scottish Office has published an authoritative work on "Service Provision to Women Experiencing Domestic Violence in Scotland" and there is already a realisation that a more constructive and better co-ordinated approach to the matter is required by all agencies if the abuse of women throughout Scotland is to be adequately addressed. An example of good practice was confirmed during my inspection of Fife Constabulary where I was impressed by the genuine desire to tackle domestic violence and the marvellous co-operation clearly demonstrated between police and social work.

Crimes and Offences Involving Firearms

9. During 1997/98, the police recorded 1,073 crimes and offences in which a firearm was alleged to have been used compared with the 1996/97 figure of 1,529, a decrease of 30%. The number of crimes and offences involving an airweapon decreased by 28% between 1996/97 and 1997/98 and the number of crimes and offences involving a firearm other than an airweapon decreased by 33%; from 534 in 1996/97 to 358 in 1997/98. This latter decrease was due, in the main, to decreases in the number of crimes and offences involving shotguns, pistol/revolvers and replica/imitation weapons. Some of the decrease in the handgun category (ie pistol/revolver) may have been due, in part, to the surrender of firearms in 1997 and 1998; the details of which are contained in paragraph 14.

10. Between 1996/97 and 1997/98 the number of recorded robberies in which a firearm was alleged to have been used decreased by 45%, from 221 offences to 122 offences and the number of recorded vandalism offences decreased by 34% from 470 offences to 310 offences. Recorded assaults decreased by 17% in 1997/98. This followed a decrease of 20% between 1995/96 and 1996/97.

11. The number of recorded crimes and offences involving firearms in Scotland since 1988 is illustrated in the table below.

Crimes and offences recorded by the police in which a firearm was alleged to have been used, 1988 - 1994, 1995/96, 1996/97 and 1997/98

Crime/offence

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

F
I
N
A
N
C
I
A
L

1995/96

1996/97

1997/98

Total

1,159

1,479

1,495

1,921

1,959

1,773

1,788

1,763

1,529

1,073

Homicide (1)

2

7

3

7

6

8

9

25

8

5

Attempted murder (1)

27

16

31

40

45

44

42

53

35

16

Assault

251

289

295

389

350

297

363

350

279

232

Robbery

135

264

246

440

508

396

370

233

221

122

Vandalism

402

481

560

575

604

552

499

629

470

310

Reckless conduct with firearms

194

231

218

246

243

194

204

239

256

206

Firearms Act 1968 offences

105

148

103

148

153

187

231

155

204

146

Other crimes & offences

43

43

39

76

50

95

70

79

56

36

Total excluding airweapons

375

473

435

729

800

737

783

608

534

358

12. Since the tragedy of Dunblane all Scottish forces have responded positively to the recommendations on firearms licensing made by Lord Cullen. I have paid close attention to firearms licensing practices and procedures during all main inspections and I have been impressed by the efforts made by forces to review procedures thoroughly and ensure that applications are dealt with thoroughly and professionally. This places a heavy administrative burden on forces and I was concerned that two forces had not recognised the importance of timely responses to applications for renewal of certificates. These concerns have been highlighted by me and I am confident that the move from 3 to 5 year certificates in 1995 will give forces an opportunity to ensure that any outstanding administrative problems are resolved during the 2 year "fallow" period in 1998/99.

13. The whole emphasis in the Scottish police service's approach to firearms administration is one of public safety. 86 revocations of firearm certificates represent the highest number recorded in a decade and the number of applications for new certificates is down from 3324 in 1988 to 1304. The total number of both firearm and shotgun certificates currently issued are the lowest ever recorded.

14. During the year, Scottish forces made arrangements for the surrender of handguns as part of the new restrictions on ownership of these weapons under the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997 and the Firearms (Amendment) (No 2) Act 1997. Between July and September, 6,262 large-calibre and 1,751 small-calibre guns were surrendered and in February a further 1,013 small-calibre weapons were handed in. Great credit is due to the thorough arrangements made by forces and the co-operation of gun owners in what was a very successful initiative, removing the very real dangers caused by handguns being legally available.

15. In October 1997 Strathclyde Police and Tayside Police introduced a 6 month pilot study of the use of CS incapacitant spray. The trials involve officers fully trained in the use of the spray and appropriate after care. Because the sprays were only rarely used the trials were extended, both in terms of the areas involved, to include the whole of Dundee and all of 'D' Division in Glasgow, and in the pilot study period. The trial period is now due to be concluded at the end of September.

16. During the extended period of the trials, more use has been made of the spray and initial indications are fairly positive, with a small reduction in the number of assaults against the police in the trial areas, mirroring early improvements in the number of police assaults in England and Wales, where 41 of 43 forces are already equipped with CS incapacitant spray.

17. I am pleased that the Scottish police service has shown a sensitive approach in gauging the use of CS incapacitant spray in controlled conditions with proper emphasis on training, awareness and medical considerations. A public survey will be carried out in respect of the introduction of the new equipment and, in ensuring that all possible measures to protect officers from violence are evaluated, safety to the public is a prime consideration. I am confident that a decision on its future use will be based on a balanced assessment of the facts.