By Tom Martin
Police Scotland’s evidence storage network is under increasing strain as it struggles to manage the growing volume of seized items, a new report has revealed.
With more than 80 production stores across the country, the force faces significant challenges in holding materials for court cases, including drugs, cash, weapons, and stolen goods.
Many of these stores are in poor condition and not fit for purpose, according to the report submitted to the Scottish Police Authority (SPA).
The problem is made worse by the increasing number of unnecessary items being stored – things that may never be used in court – taking up valuable space.
There are also growing concerns about how dangerous substances, drugs, and cash are being held and transported safely.
The report comes amid warnings that Scotland’s crumbling police stations and offices will require £500 million in upgrades over the next decade.
SPA board members have backed a new ‘estates masterplan’ to address years of “significant underinvestment” in police buildings, including stations, custody facilities, and evidence storage sites.
“The standard and condition of the stores varies across the force area, however many are in poor state of repair and not fit for purpose”
James Gray, chief financial officer, Police Scotland
Police chiefs plan to upgrade 122 existing properties, build new “deployment hubs”, and introduce more community policing bases and “touch-down points” as part of the overhaul. They also aim to streamline evidence storage by reducing the number of sites and creating central hubs along key transport routes, supported by local sites where needed.
The report by James Gray, Police Scotland’s chief financial officer, states: “A large proportion of the estate is at the end of its useful economic life and was designed for how policing was delivered half a century ago.
“It is not sufficiently flexible for how policing will be delivered in the future through the revised model of policing.
“The standard and condition of the stores varies across the force area, but many are in poor state of repair and not fit for purpose.
“This issue is compounded by ongoing seizures of unnecessary productions, with challenges over the storage and transportation of hazardous substances, cash, and controlled drugs.”
The report also highlights ongoing efforts with the Crown Office and the Scottish Government to digitalise evidence storage.
Police Scotland described its ageing estate, burdened by a £245 million repair backlog, as “unsustainable”.
Over the next decade, £500 million in investment is required to overhaul the facilities.
Around £80 million could be raised by selling off “redundant buildings and sites”, but chiefs have called on the Scottish Government to grant borrowing powers to cover the remaining cost.
“Doing nothing is not an option, as that repair bill will continue to grow, and our buildings will only get older”
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Sutherland
Earlier this year, 1919 highlighted concerns over the potential closure of police stations with cell facilities, warning that officers would be taken off the streets to make lengthy journeys to the nearest custody suite. The impact of these closures is of particular concern in the west of Scotland, with several consultation exercises underway.
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Sutherland told SPA board members there had been a “huge amount” of engagement with operational commanders, unions, and the public regarding the estate and its future blueprint.
He added: “Doing nothing is not an option, as that repair bill will continue to grow, and our buildings will only get older.
“The master planning exercise, importantly, is not cost-driven. While there are clear opportunity costs, the goal is to develop a modern, fit-for-purpose estate that will serve both our communities and our workforce.
“We are arguably past the tipping point when it comes to the quality, sustainability, and use of our estate.”