NOTEBOOK

Round-up of policing and justice developments 

Old Firm in hot water over hooligan disorder…

Celtic and Rangers will be summoned by police and the Scottish Government to explain the actions of their fans during widespread disorder before Christmas.

Supporters of Scotland’s two biggest football teams clashed in Glasgow ahead of an Old Firm fixture on December 14.

Running battles between the two sides, accompanied by flares and missiles, prompted a police investigation and left shoppers and business owners stunned.

The matter was discussed at a recent meeting between Justice Secretary Angela Constance and Chief Constable Jo Farrell.

It is understood both agreed “the football clubs also have a responsibility here” and said a roundtable meeting featuring both would be arranged.

… but Fife rivals unite to tackle crime

Young people at risk of football-related trouble will be targeted in a police initiative linking up two rival teams.

Fife Championship clubs Dunfermline and Raith Rovers will put their hostilities aside to take part in the Rivals United initiative.

The move follows several high-profile flashpoints between the supporters on matchday, including one case where a teenager was viciously attacked last January.

Schools from across the Kingdom are involved in the scheme, which encourages teamwork, respect and good behaviour.

Community Sergeant John Nicol said: “This initiative highlights the power of football to inspire and educate young people while addressing important social issues.”

Police seize e-bikes amid nationwide crime spree

Police are seizing dozens of e-bikes every month as disorder related to the vehicles causes concern across the country.

Community safety minister Siobhian Brown confirmed 281 of the bikes were confiscated between January and September last year.

MSPs representing Edinburgh and Aberdeen raised the issue in the Scottish Parliament.

Kevin Stewart, Aberdeen Central MSP, said there had been “a rise in the number of masked individuals zooming around on e-bikes, often clearly engaged in illegal activity”.

And Edinburgh Southern MSP Daniel Johnson added: “If the minister wants evidence of such behaviour, she need only walk to the Meadows, where there are tyre tracks left by masked individuals who were driving all-terrain vehicles.”

The £2.4bn legacy

The creation of a single force has benefitted the taxpayer to the tune of £200 million a year since centralisation, a new report has revealed.

The country’s eight legacy forces were abolished in 2013 to form a single unit, designed to save money and streamline services.

And while the unification has attracted some criticism in relation to localism and resource, it appears to have proved worthwhile from a financial point of view.

A Scottish Police Authority audit document said the “continued commitment to reform” has resulted in £200 million “returning to the public purse” each year since its inception.

Tributes paid to senior Highlands cop

A former police boss described as a “champion of the Highlands” has been laid to rest.

Ian Latimer, who led Northern Constabulary between 2001 and 2011, died at his home in Beauly last month at the age of 68.

He was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal in 2006, and moved to the Highlands following roles in Merseyside and Devon and Cornwall.

Chief Constable Jo Farrell said the father-of-three was “liked, respected and admired” in policing.

More than half of cops wouldn’t recommend the job

Most police officers would not suggest a career in the force to friends and family, citing high workload, poor pay and a “lack of support”.

In a workforce survey, 52 per cent criticised Police Scotland and highlighted the impact the job had on their mental health.

Low morale, under staffing and a poor work-life balance were also put forward as negatives.

However, 40 per cent said they would recommend the career, praising the “sense of purpose and public service” and the security and stability provided.

Vans investment sparks unexpected benefits

The arrival of four new vans for forensic teams to use while examining crime scenes brought additional unexpected benefits, a report has found.

The digital forensic triage vans were introduced to provide a secure working environment for experts as a nearby alternative to physically being on the crime scene itself.

However, further analysis of the vehicles has uncovered positive unintended consequences.

A review found vans were also being used as “a secure space for the enquiry team to discuss in privacy” while they improved the safety of staff enabling them to leave a suspect’s house at an earlier point in the process.

No more ruff justice for Scotland’s dogs

A proposed new law to make dog theft a specific crime is preparing to make its way through Holyrood’s legislative process.

The Dog Theft (Scotland) Bill would see criminals convicted of stealing a beloved family pet sentenced to up to five years in jail.

Formally launched in Edinburgh last month, the bill by Conservative MSP Maurice Golden will be scrutinised by the Scottish Parliament’s Rural Affairs and Islands Committee.

It has cross-party support and could become law by the end of the year.

“Dogs are our best friends, and deserve better protection than the current system offers them,” Golden said.

Demographics lead to more cops on modified duties

The ageing profile of Police Scotland’s workforce means more officers have been placed on restricted duties.

There was an increase in duty modifications in the last quarter, with 2,149 officers now affected.

The force said work is ongoing to ensure those officers continue to take on “meaningful work”.

A report stated: “Given the ageing population of our workforce, it is not unusual to see a rise in requirements for reasonable adjustments.”

Police spared hundreds of mental health calls

A new approach to reduce the number of mental health incidents falling to police to deal with has successfully diverted hundreds of calls.

The Mental Health Pathway was launched in response to growing concern in the force that non-crime incidents involving vulnerable people were pulling officers away from more urgent cases.

Now it has been revealed in a Scottish Government memo that, in the month leading up to Christmas, the facility dealt with 600 calls which otherwise would have gone through to police.

Ministers are understood to be keen on the new approach and have asked for further data on its merits.