HMICS Scrutiny plan 2025-28

Thematic reviews allow us to focus on significant policing issues and to assess whether there is a consistency of approach across policing within Scotland. In our research and fieldwork, we look for areas of policing where best practice and effective methods of operating prevail, but we also work to identify areas where improvement is needed. In those instances, we will make relevant recommendations to effect change.

During the lifetime of this plan, we will aim to inspect the following areas:

Policing in a cyber world

People today conduct much of their lives online and – while improvements in technology and accessibility have brought about many advantages – this has also led to new and emerging risks in terms of crime, such as online fraud and targeting of vulnerable persons.

These offences often have an international element and can be difficult to investigate. There are also concerns that organised crime groups regard online crime as lucrative and low risk.

We will examine Police Scotland’s approach to:

• identifying and tackling cyber-crime (including its capability and capacity);
• partnership working;
• supporting victims of cyber-crime; and
• economic crime and other crime types facilitated by existing, new and emerging technology.

Domestic abuse – phase 2

In January 2023, we published our initial thematic review of the police response to domestic abuse, with a focus on the experience of victims who report crimes and incidents to police. This report made 14 recommendations, which are being progressed by Police Scotland. We will continue to maintain focus on this critical area in the forthcoming scrutiny period by examining domestic abuse practices and support available to victims. We will also look at the investigation of domestic abuse involving staff or officers (either as victims or perpetrators).

Violence – including violence against women and girls (VAWG)

Violence and violent crime affects all sections of society. It has long been an operational priority for Police Scotland, but in recent times rates have been rising. This thematic inspection will consider how effectively policing in Scotland addresses violence and violent crime. It will also look at how well preventative approaches are embedded and co‑ordinated. For example, Police Scotland is promoting a public health approach to violence as part of its National Violence Prevention Strategy. This is set out in the most recent three-year business plan.

Major crime investigation

Since the inception of Police Scotland, the organisation has built an enviable reputation in the investigation of major crime. This is particularly so in crimes of murder, where (at the time of writing) every such crime committed since 2013 has been solved. Its operating model for investigation of major crimes has, to date, adopted both a local and national approach, and this inspection will assess the effectiveness and efficiency of this operating model. This will include consideration of historical and unresolved major crimes.

Policing in the local community

In its 2030 vision, Police Scotland pledged to build frontline capacity and, in particular, to increase the capacity and capability of local policing teams. This cornerstone of policing was something respondents to our consultation often cited as being worthy of further scrutiny and assurance work. We know that work is underway to redesign local policing services (ensuring efficiency and effectiveness), and we will carry out an inspection to see if these changes are appropriate to the requirements of Scottish communities.

Operational Support Division

Operational Support Division (OSD) is a national division within Police Scotland. It provides a number of specialist services nationwide, and our review will investigate parity of access to these services across the country. In the last scrutiny period, we looked at the efficiency and effectiveness of Road Policing, and in this period we will focus on specific OSD areas highlighted within our consultation:

• Air Support – we will examine how Police Scotland is making best use of its air support capability and whether assets are being used and deployed in an ethical and safe manner, taking into consideration the introduction of emerging technologies, such as remotely piloted aircraft systems (drones).
• Armed Policing – Police Scotland previously commissioned the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) to conduct a review of culture and practices within Armed Policing. During this scrutiny period, we revisit this area of policing to assess and provide assurance on any changes brought in following that review.
• Dogs & Horses – Regardless of advances in technology in policing, service animals remain an integral part of policing tactics. We will assess the use of these service animals to determine whether this remains an effective and efficient means of supporting policing activity.

Policing serious and organised crime groups

The scourge of serious and organised crime (SOC) reaches into every corner of society in Scotland. Tackling it requires a co-ordinated approach with key partners – both inside and outside Scotland. We are aware of existing scrutiny of specific aspects of SOC (for example, the Investigatory Powers Commissioner’s Office) and have no wish to duplicate or affect such work. Rather, we aim to complement these efforts, by assessing the effectiveness and efficiency of the policing of SOC groups in Scotland. We will look, in particular, at the approach to tasking in this area, and the effectiveness of the local and national approach to tackling this.

Investigation of child abuse

Abuse of any kind against children is abhorrent and the protection of children from harm is, rightly, a priority for Police Scotland and throughout public services. While child abuse already receives significant scrutiny from HMICS, the Care Inspectorate, Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) and others, we feel there may be added value in assessing Police Scotland’s response following allegations of abuse against children. This will include looking at preventative work.