Police forces in Scotland are well run, benefit from strong leadership and are delivering better services with increasing efficiency. This is the view of Andrew Laing, HM Inspector of Constabulary for Scotland, in his first annual report published today.

The report goes on to highlight that despite increasing financial challenges in the past year, forces delivered £18.5m of savings and over £80m of efficiencies while still contributing to a reduction in reported crime to a 35 year low and seeing a continuing upward trend in public confidence.

The monitoring and inspection of Scotland’s eight police forces during the period showed positive performance against all key indicators including efficiencies; public satisfaction; recorded crime; and detection rates.

Mr Laing commented: "Scotland’s police forces have contributed significantly to making our communities safer and stronger. However, much of this has been delivered during a period when funding, resource and officer numbers were at an historic high.

"While forces have already demonstrated their ability to deliver services ever more efficiently, the continuing financial pressures combined with the Government’s landmark policy on reform presents Scottish policing with the most challenging period in recent times.

"Activities during the period of this report demonstrate forces’ commitment to maintaining front‐line services and delivering continuous improvement. It is my expectation that Scottish policing will continue to lead and drive this agenda and rise to the challenge of reforms that will dominate in the years ahead.

"What is clear is that the current performance in Scottish policing has set the bar very high. It is therefore critical that the process of reform is fully considered, well supported and that performance and delivery are monitored and effectively challenged.

"I am satisfied that the service and key partners will now move to develop the concepts into practices which preserve community policing as the founding principle. We are entering a new era for the police in Scotland and one that