Scottish officers have been instructed not to pursue minor crimes such as break-ins, a move that has been criticized as setting a “very dangerous precedent.” In a statement released on Monday, Police Scotland announced that they were testing a different approach to managing certain incidents in the North East when reported to them. This approach involves effectively ignoring some break-ins and thefts in cases where there are no leads or CCTV evidence. The decision has been attributed to the need to make hard choices in delivering effective policing within limited funding.
Critics argue that this decision is a result of the politicization of Police Scotland and will have a negative impact on the most vulnerable members of the community. However, Police Scotland claims that this approach will allow officers to focus on proportionate lines of enquiry, responding to emergencies, and ensuring public safety. The pilot process aims to prioritize crimes that have viable lines of investigation while enabling officers to dedicate more time to local concerns and priorities.
The Scottish Police Federation, which represents all Scottish police officers, expressed concerns about withdrawing services from vulnerable community members while continuing to carry out non-police functions. The federation argues that this decision will do little to increase operational capacity and is more about meeting the growing demands on policing with reduced budgets and officer numbers.
Dr. Stuart Waiton, a senior lecturer in sociology and criminology, suggests that this policy may be a reflection of the reality that police resources are insufficient to cover every potential crime. However, he also highlights the politicization of Police Scotland, with an emphasis on issues like hate and domestic violence, which some believe has led to over-policing and a lack of focus on other types of crimes. Dr. Waiton points out that police training now begins with a significant section on diversity, raising concerns about the allocation of time and effort to address crimes outside the politically correct framework.
Opposition parties have voiced concerns about the impact on public safety, attributing it to severe and sustained cuts to police budgets. They argue that the Scottish government’s weak approach to justice and surrender to criminals are compromising community safety. The government, on the other hand, emphasizes the need for trust and maintaining relationships with local communities during this pilot. It highlights the continuous increase in police funding since 2016-2017, despite challenging financial circumstances due to UK government austerity.