Police will not investigate some crimes as part of pilot project

Certain crimes in the North East of Scotland will not be investigated as part of a pilot project.

The police force serving Scotland say the trial will free up officer time to focus on emergencies and keeping the public safe.

This could apply to certain crimes, such as a garden theft, where there is no CCTV or eye-witness evidence available.

Police Scotland say this is a system which worked to good effect previously in Grampian and they hope the pilot will achieve similar positive results.

A spokesperson said: "On some occasions, crimes are reported where there is no associated threat, risk, harm or vulnerability and also no proportionate lines of enquiry for local police officers to investigate.

"When this happens, our staff will inform the caller that the enquiry has been recorded and a crime reference number will be supplied, but no further action will be taken.

"If any risk, harm or vulnerability is identified, Police Scotland will take the appropriate measures to ensure safety and wellbeing.

"At the moment, it may take some time for police officers to view a report just to confirm that no further action will be taken.

"The new process means callers get an answer more quickly and police officers are able to focus on the more pressing issues in our communities."

Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Graeme Mackie added: "The pilot process will enable local police officers to focus on those crimes that have proportionate lines of enquiry and potentially enable them to give more time to local concerns and priorities in the area.

"We also know that sometimes people simply want to report a crime and we want to provide that service efficiently.

"Please continue to report crime in your area. Local officers will continue to review closed reports to enable them to map local crime trends and this may mean an enquiry is re-opened and investigated."

Police Scotland also referenced how hard choices are being made to deliver effective policing within available funding.

However, the Scottish Government say they've increased police funding year on year since 2016/17.

A spokesperson said: “While these decisions are a matter for the Chief Constable, it is vital Police Scotland continues to inspire public trust and maintains relationships with local communities.

"This will be crucial when the results of this pilot are examined to ensure local priorities continue to be met with no detriment to communities.

“The Scottish Government has increased police funding year-on-year since 2016-17, investing more than £11.6 billion since the creation of Police Scotland in 2013, despite difficult financial circumstances due to UK Government austerity.

Opposition parties have raised concerns about safety, with Scottish Tory justice spokesman Russell Findlay saying: "Police Scotland should be applauded for being so candid about the reality of their predicament, but communities deserve better than the SNP's weak approach to justice and shabby surrender to criminals.

"Ministers must be up front with the public about whether this policy will potentially be rolled out elsewhere in Scotland."

Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesman Liam McArthur said: "The police are being forced to make terrible choices because the Scottish Government have expected them to do so much with so little for so long.

"The SNP's botched centralisation of policing and brutal cuts have hit officer and staff numbers hard.

"To cut crime and deliver for communities, Scottish Liberal Democrats would enhance community policing and ensure that officers have both the support and resources they need to do their jobs."

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