NOTEBOOK

Round-up of policing and justice developments 

10 years for officer murder bid

Officers and the public have been praised for their role in stopping a chainsaw-wielding thug during an attempted murder bid.

Liridon Kastrati was sentenced to 10 years for the incident in which he tried to kill a police officer in Paisley in 2024.

The 32-year-old rammed a marked car then brandished the weapon before being stopped.

“I want to acknowledge the courage shown by our officers,” said Chief Superintendent Rhona Fraser.

“Their decisive actions, and those of an equally brave member of the public, quickly stopped Kastrati and contained the threat he posed.”

Pressure mounts on officers investigating rape

Pressure on officers investigating rape and serious sexual assault in Scotland’s biggest city has increased again, 1919 has learned.

In the summer, it was revealed just four officers were responsible for solving 584 cases in Glasgow.

And while the number of senior investigating officers has remained the same – albeit with the assistance of an additional inspector from elsewhere – live cases have risen to 692.

Research has revealed one officer is in charge of 186 separate inquiries – which is higher than the 176 cases revealed in June.

Rape charities have described the situation as falling “devastatingly short” of what victims need

Lines are open for cops tackling retail crime

Police officers are tuning into shop security radio as part of a crackdown on thieves.

The initiative in central Edinburgh means messages shared between retailers about live incidents can now go straight to nearby cops.

The Shopwatch scheme gets information to the police quicker, which a force memo states “allows them to quickly be alerted to descriptions of persons involved and their direction of travel”.

Retail crime is one of Scotland’s fastest-growing offences, with thousands of incidents reported across the country every month.

‘British FBI’ to be launched

Policing in England is set to follow the Scottish model by centralising and vastly reducing the number of forces.

UK Government ministers want to do away with smaller forces and create a number of larger organisations.

Officials expect the number to drop from 45 to between 10 and 20.

A new National Police Service, dubbed the ‘British FBI’, will cover England and Wales but be able to operate across the whole UK, setting standards and training.

Supporters south of the border say the reforms will improve efficiency, but critics warn they will leave rural communities at the mercy of larger, city-focused forces.

Opportunity knocks for HR staff

A flurry of promotions in human resources has led to a spike in professional elevations within Police Scotland.

A report revealed staff promotions have increased by more than 50 per cent in the last year.

But this rise was largely attributed to an HR restructuring, which resulted in a raft of upward changes.

A number of internal promotions were also recorded in audit and assurance departments and forensics, a report confirmed.

Rise in train staff attacks

Physical assaults on railway staff increased by almost half this year, as authorities struggle to maintain order on trains and at stations.

The 47 per cent increase translates to 83 separate incidents in the last six months, although only a tiny fraction of these cases resulted in injury, and none were considered “serious”.

In contrast, violence against British Transport Police officers dropped by almost a third across the same period.

The solve rate for railway crimes in Scotland remains considerably above the UK average.

Data woes on performance enhancing drugs

Scotland’s health boards are adopting radically different approaches when it comes to monitoring admissions related to performance enhancing drugs.

Medics and campaigners have raised concerns about the growing trend of people using substances like steroids, for a range of reasons, and the impact it has on their health.

However, research by 1919 has revealed many health boards do not collect information on related admissions, while others only gather data on certain drugs.

In total, 183 admissions have been recorded across Scotland in the last five years.

But only six of the country’s 14 NHS boards were able to provide definitive data when approached.

Suspects showered with money

The likely cost of installing showers for suspects being held in custody in Fife has been described as “extensive”.

Police Scotland has been advised by watchdogs to create the washing facilities in two locations because failing to do so would risk accusations the force was not enabling detainees to “maintain personal cleanliness”.

In Dunfermline, a cell will have to be converted to a shower, while in Kirkcaldy a cupboard near a women’s washroom will be repurposed.

Both proposals are currently “under review”.

Levelling up

A tough approach to drivers misusing a private level crossing on one of Scotland’s busiest rail routes has led to a drop in incidents.

Network Rail took the unusual step of publishing figures showing scores of incidents at the crossing near Springfield in north east Fife last year.

Hospital Mill crossing is private, but widely used by workers, farmers and delivery drivers, some of whom were issued with verbal discretionary warnings about safety breaches.

More than 70 trains pass a day, including those hurtling between London and Scotland’s north-east.

A new report states: “There has been a notable decrease in incidents relating to the crossing, which shows enforcement is having a positive impact on behaviour of crossing users.”

Failing to register

Domestic abusers across Scotland will not be placed on a dedicated list after plans for a law change were withdrawn.

As part of a proposed Holyrood bill, Scottish Conservative MSP Pam Gosal wanted to create the register – similar to that for sex offenders – to enhance monitoring and increase public shame on those convicted.

The move was cautiously supported by the Scottish Police Federation.

However, after Scottish Government members – including the First Minister – said they would not vote in favour of the bill, it was withdrawn and will not be tabled prior to the next Holyrood election in May.

Wonderwall of silence

A request for all correspondence between Police Scotland and other agencies relating to the sell-out Oasis concerts in Edinburgh last year has been rejected by the force.

A submission via freedom of information legislation for the details from all meetings and discussions was refused on the grounds of ‘prejudice to the effective conduct of public affairs’.

Responding to 1919‘s request, Police Scotland said: “Information is exempt if its disclosure would, or would be likely to, inhibit substantially the free and frank exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation.

“It is essential that there be some scope for privacy of discussion/ communication where it is assessed that disclosure would inhibit the ability of Police Scotland to discuss such matters freely with partners, in the future.”

The Oasis concerts attracted more than 200,000 fans over three nights in August, leading to a major policing operation.

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