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Terms of Reference
Scope of the strategic review
16. The policing of violence involves response and enforcement, and prevention and intervention. Whilst these activities are interlinked, the intention of this strategic review is to focus primarily on the prevention and intervention space, including the work of the SVRU, but where relevant, consider how Police Scotland’s enforcement activity supports its wider approach to reducing and preventing violence.
17. As public bodies, including Police Scotland, move towards a more public health focused approach to the prevention of violence, as aligned with national Scottish Government framework, the review will examine the extent to which Police Scotland is setting out a clear strategic direction to achieving an effective balance between a public health approach and the enforcement action that is taken to address violence.
18. The review will also assess the extent to which the national strategic framework for violence prevention provides a clear articulation of policing's role within the wider public health approach, and whether Police Scotland has a clear understanding of its own role, responsibilities, and contribution within that framework. It will explore how this understanding is reflected in Police Scotland's strategic direction, governance arrangements and partnership working, and whether there is a shared vision of policing's contribution to violence prevention and reduction.
Exclusions from scope
19. The following will not be considered within the scope of this strategic review:
Any in-depth focus on any one area of violence
The detail of the delivery of frontline operational work.
The detail and operation of local partnerships and initiatives to address violence.
The delivery of national projects (e.g. National Mentors in Violence Prevention) at the local level.
The effectiveness or detail of investigations into crimes of violence, nor any detailed case file analysis.
These areas may be included in any subsequent thematic review of a specific area of violence, or in subsequent related inspections.
Objectives
20. The HMICS objectives for this strategic review are to:
Assess the strategic direction, governance and oversight of the policing of violence in Scotland.
Assess the effectiveness and coherence of Police Scotland’s national strategic approach to policing violence.
Assess whether effective prevention, early intervention and partnership approaches are in place to reduce violence.
Assess the extent to which Police Scotland’s work in relation to violence addresses the issues of repeat perpetrators and repeat victims.
Assess the alignment of Police Scotland’s violence strategies to national Scottish Government frameworks and strategies.
Output and outcomes
21. The key output from the review will be the final report. It will make recommendations for improvement where appropriate, which will subsequently be monitored by HMICS with progress updates available on the HMICS website.
22. The review will also establish a clear evidence base with regards to the current strategic landscape for policing violence in Scotland, identify strengths and gaps, and thus suggest where further inspection activity can add the greatest value.
23. The intended outcomes from this review are to provide an assessment of how efficiently and effectively Police Scotland is policing violence. This will be to:
Provide assurance on whether Police Scotland has the right overarching framework, strategies and policies in place to respond effectively to violence.
Provide an assessment of whether Police Scotland’s role in violence prevention, alongside partners, is clear and understood at both national and local level.
Provide an assessment of whether appropriate measures are in place to monitor progress of strategic aims.
User Perspective
24. As set out in the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010, HMICS has a duty to demonstrate continuous improvement in user focus, i.e. involving users in the scrutiny process. HMICS will engage directly with key stakeholders and governance groups including the SPA, Police Scotland, Scottish Government, other public sector bodies as appropriate, third sector organisations and academics.
Methodology
25. We will use the HMICS Inspection Framework which is based on the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) Excellence Model and Best Value Characteristics.
26. The Inspection Framework will provide a structure to our inspection which will be risk based, proportionate and focused on improving the delivery of policing in Scotland. We will structure our strategic review around our objectives and the key themes of:
Leadership, governance and direction
Delivery and coordination
Understanding and impact
27. Between August 2026 and March 2027, we will:
Liaise regularly with Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority through the identified single points of contact (SPOC) in each organisation, who will support the review and facilitate appropriate access to people and information.
Undertake a review of key documents as relevant to the policing of violence in Scotland, including Police Scotland documents, academic research, and other organisational reports.
Review available data and information to understand how violence is assessed, prioritized and resourced, and to understand how progress to meet strategic aims is measured.
Observe relevant meetings and boards of Police Scotland and partners.
Undertake targeted engagement with selected local policing divisions and partners to understand how national approaches are communicated to divisions and understood, and how challenges, measures of progress, learning and good practice are fed back to the national level.
Engage with relevant police officers and staff using interviews where appropriate.
Engage with selected individuals and organisations outside of Police Scotland as deemed appropriate to meet the objectives of the review.
Benchmark with other appropriate police (or other) organisations as relevant to consider and share any opportunities for learning.
Publication and reporting timescales
28. We anticipate publishing a report of our findings in Spring 2027. Our report will be published in terms of Section 79 of the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012. A copy of the report will also be provided to the Chief Constable, the Scottish Police Authority and the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and laid before the Scottish Parliament. A copy will also be made publicly available on the HMICS website.
29. For further information about the strategic review of policing violence in Scotland, please contact HMIC@hmic.gov.scot.
Craig Naylor
HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary in Scotland
September 2026