Question reference: S6W-25217
- Asked by: Russell Findlay, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 5 February 2024
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Current status: Answered by Angela Constance on 26 February 2024
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether retail crime, including shoplifting, should form part of the Scottish Police Authority’s Strategic Police Priorities.
Answer
Under the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012, the Scottish Government is responsible for developing Strategic Police Priorities (SPPs), which it does in consultation with partners. Revised priorities are due to be published by the end of 2025.
Prevention and investigation of crime already feature prominently in the existing SPPs, and Police Scotland and its officers and staff remain focused on these aims.
The changing nature of policing and criminal activity will always be considered in any future changes to the SPPs.
It is for Police Scotland, which is accountable to the Scottish Police Authority, to determine the operational delivery of policing in Scotland. When setting priorities for the upcoming year, Police Scotland considers many factors, including demand analysis, emerging threat harm and risk, and futures and horizon scanning. Furthermore, many of the Local Police Plans , refreshed for 2023-26, include specific activities focusing upon acquisitive crime and engagement with partners and stakeholders, ensuring that focus upon the concerns of retailers is addressed at a local level.
The Scottish Government recognises the significant disruption and harm to both businesses and individuals from retail crime and continues to support the innovative Scottish Partnership Against Acquisitive Crime (SPAACE) strategy. The partnership is led by Police Scotland working with retailers and other organisations including Retailers Against Crime and Neighbourhood Watch Scotland, with a focus on the prevention, deterrence and where appropriate enforcement. The Strategy seeks to minimise opportunities for this type of crime, protect individuals and businesses, and deliver clear advice and guidance for prevention.
We will invest £1.55 billion in policing in 2024-25. Specific decisions on deployment of resources are a matter for the Chief Constable and the Scottish Police Authority.