Chamber and committees

Information on the number of instances of antisocial behaviour reported to the Police is not held centrally. The member may wish to write to Police Scotland directly to request this information.

Where a reported incident of antisocial behaviour involves any criminality (for example vandalism), this will be included in the Recorded Crime in Scotland National Statistics. However, the figures provided to the Scottish Government by Police Scotland are a simple count of the number of crimes and offences recorded in each local authority. We do not receive further details on the characteristics or circumstances of individual crimes and offences, such as whether they relate to antisocial behaviour.

The number of staff employed by Social Security Scotland, and respective pay grades, as of 25 January 2019 are shown in the following table.

Information on cases of sheep worrying is not held centrally in the format requested. Information is available on the number of offences recorded by Police Scotland under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 – which relates to dogs worrying livestock on agricultural land (following table). However, as this legislation applies to all forms of livestock, these figures are not available for specific types of animal.

Table 1: Offences of Protection of Livestock from Dogs, Scottish Borders, 2013-14 to 2017-18.

Information on the number of instances of violence in schools is not held centrally. Where a school-based incident of violence is reported to the police, this will be included in the Recorded Crime National Statistics. However, the figures provided to the Scottish Government by Police Scotland are a simple count of the number of crimes and offences recorded in each local authority. We do not receive further details on the characteristics or circumstances of individual crimes and offences, such as the location.

Information on cases of sheep worrying is not held centrally in the format requested. Information is available on the number of offences recorded by Police Scotland under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 – which relates to dogs worrying livestock on agricultural land (following table). However, as this legislation applies to all forms of livestock, these figures are not available for specific types of animal.

Table 1: Offences of Protection of Livestock from Dogs, Midlothian, 2013-14 to 2017-18 .

Dog attacks on sheep, wherever they occur, is an issue that the Scottish Government takes very seriously. We fully support the work to tackle this matter being undertaken by the Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime (SPARC), chaired by Police Scotland, including their 5 month campaign to highlight the issue, launched on 8 January 2019. We have also commissioned Ipsos MORI to undertake research investigating the incidence and impact of dog attacks on sheep in Scotland and looking at potential strategies to prevent it happening.

Information on the number of instances of violence in schools is not held centrally. Where a school-based incident of violence is reported to the police, this will be included in the Recorded Crime National Statistics. However, the figures provided to the Scottish Government by Police Scotland are a simple count of the number of crimes and offences recorded in each local authority. We do not receive further details on the characteristics or circumstances of individual crimes and offences, such as the location.

The Scottish Government has commissioned research into the incidence, impact and potential mitigation of sheep harassment by both dogs and wildlife in Scotland. Whilst this does not focus solely on Midlothian, information and recommendations arising from the research should be useful to sheep farmers in the area.

The Scottish Government has commissioned research into the incidence, impact and potential mitigation of sheep harassment by both dogs and wildlife in Scotland. Whilst this does not focus solely on the Scottish Borders, information and recommendations arising from the research should be useful to sheep farmers in the area.

Dog attacks on sheep, wherever they occur, is an issue that the Scottish Government takes very seriously. We fully support the work to tackle this matter being undertaken by the Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime (SPARC), chaired by Police Scotland, including their 5 month campaign to highlight the issue, launched on 8 January 2019. We have also commissioned Ipsos MORI to undertake research investigating the incidence and impact of dog attacks on sheep in Scotland and looking at potential strategies to prevent it happening.