Scotland’s new single police service is equipped to respond effectively to, and recover from, a terrorist incident according to the findings of a report published today.

The HMICS report Thematic Review of CONTEST Prepare 2013 analysed the findings of previously published reports looking at counter-terrorism capacity in Scotland prior to reform, and assessed them against new approaches introduced by Police Scotland from April last year.

The findings highlighted that governance arrangements for counter-terrorism had been improved since Police Scotland was established, and that relationships between the new single service and partner agencies were positive. HMICS said it was clear the single service was prepared for major incidents, and made a number of recommendations to further strengthen preparedness.

HM Inspector of Constabulary Scotland, Derek Penman, said: "Following our scrutiny work it is our assessment that Police Scotland, working with others, is prepared to respond to and recover from a terrorist incident.

"HMICS is satisfied that all the relevant learning from our previous CONTEST thematic inspections has been taken forward and discharged. There are no outstanding recommendations for Police Scotland relating to the policing structure prior to reform.

"Scotland’s emergency services, along with local and regional resilience partnership structures, have successfully tested their response to major incidents, and how to manage the consequences. This has taken place against the upcoming Commonwealth Games and Ryder Cup, and planning continues at pace for those events with an emphasis on delivering a safe, secure and peaceful Games."