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Thematic inspection of road policing in Scotland

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Inspection reports

5th November 2024

The aim of this inspection, undertaken by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS), was to assess the state, efficiency and effectiveness of the delivery of road policing arrangements in Scotland. The resultant inspection report is based on a comprehensive review, which involved engaging with specialist road policing officers and with local policing officers across Scotland.  We also met with partners and other key stakeholders.  We were particularly grateful to have the assistance of charitable organisations who support vulnerable road users and people who  have been affected by serious road collisions.  We visited other UK police services and best practice from other areas have been highlighted. This report outlines key findings which highlight very positive partnership working arrangements found during our inspection. We were particularly impressed by the professionalism and commitment of the road policing officers we engaged with. The recommendations made, are intended to strengthen the partnership approach to road safety and road crime - in order to make Scotland’s roads safer.

Additional

  • HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland
  • Our inspection
  • Key findings
  • Recommendations
  • Areas for development
  • Background and context
  • Methodology
  • Leadership and vision
  • Delivery
  • Outcomes

  • HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland
  • Our inspection
  • Key findings
  • Recommendations
  • Areas for development
  • Background and context
  • Methodology
  • Leadership and vision
  • Delivery
  • Outcomes

Our inspection

It is an exceptionally challenging time for public services across the UK. Police Scotland is not exempt from this and has seen a significant reduction in officer numbers recently. To compound matters, the increasing role of the police in dealing with vulnerable people in society and, in particular, those experiencing poor mental health, has meant other priorities, including road policing, are likely to have received less focus because of hard decisions taken by Police Scotland about resourcing.

It is now a regular occurrence, several deaths per week, to read about another death on Scotland’s roads. The total number of casualties in Scotland has increased each year since 2020. In 2023, 155 people were killed on Scotland’s roads and 1,930 seriously injured. The impact this tragedy has on the people involved – and on their families and friends – cannot be underestimated. It appears there is a societal acceptance that people will die on the roads, but it is utterly unacceptable and almost every death is preventable.

This inspection shows that – while Police Scotland’s purpose and vision on road policing is clearly articulated (and aligned to Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2030) – the level of resource dedicated to improving road safety and denying criminals the use of the roads, has diminished. This applies to both specialist road policing officers and to local policing officers.

We found that external partnership working arrangements are well established and very positive, but the police role in carrying out enforcement activity has reduced significantly since the creation of Police Scotland with a 63 per cent reduction in the identification of road traffic offences since 2013/14.

We were extremely impressed by the dedication and professionalism of the officers and staff we engaged with during our inspection. However, the reduction in focus on road policing does raise questions about Police Scotland’s contribution, both in reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured on Scotland’s roads and supporting the objectives of the Road Safety Framework to 2030.

Key factors affecting the ability of Police Scotland to keep people safe on Scotland’s roads include: the significant reduction in police officer numbers (in both local and road policing); the reprioritisation of officers away from road policing towards other matters; the number of officers (particularly from road policing) required to attend court, despite rarely being required to provide evidence; and, demand from escorting abnormal loads.

It is, therefore, vitally important that the positive partnership working arrangements are built upon, and that everything possible is done to make Scotland’s roads safer. We visited Surrey, Sussex and West Midlands Police forces and identified best practice in making optimum use of intelligence, analysis and technology. I am grateful to the chief constables of these forces for accommodating my inspection team.

We have highlighted two specific examples of best practice we found during these visits that I believe should be progressed and implemented in Scotland. Firstly, the provision of educational courses as an alternative to prosecution, and, secondly, the facility to allow members of the public to directly upload footage from journey-cams to report road traffic offences (Police Scotland are the only UK force who does not have this facility). These are two initiatives that showing significant results in other parts of the UK.

The support we received from the road policing team in Police Scotland has been exceptional and I am very grateful to Chief Superintendent Hilary Sloan and her team. I would also like to thank colleagues from Transport Scotland, UKROEd and Dr Helen Wells, Director of the Road Policing Academic Network, for their support.

Craig Naylor
His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary
November 2024

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