'Positive progress' for police

The chief inspector welcomed a new communication system

Scotland's police forces have been "generally efficient and delivering good quality services", according to the chief inspector of constabulary.

Andrew Brown's annual report found that the overall picture of policing in Scotland was one of positive progress.

He welcomed police efforts to tackle anti-social behaviour and to reduce the amount of time officers spent in court.

Mr Brown highlighted the new way of recording crime which led to a rise in the number of minor crimes recorded.

The victim-orientated Scottish Crime Recording Standard also led to a slight decrease in the police clear-up rate.

Bichard inquiry

In his second report, the chief inspector said forces had ensured that structures were in place to meet the Bichard inquiry's recommendations in relation to IT, information management and the protection of children. Sir Michael Bichard reported last year on failures that allowed Soham murderer Ian Huntley to work as a school caretaker.

Mr Brown also welcomed the introduction of Airwave, a UK digital radio communications project, which has been providing better sound quality, coverage and encryption.

The first use of dispersal powers by Grampian Police and the fixed penalty notice pilot for minor offences and disorder in Tayside were "early successes" in the use of new measures to tackle anti-social behaviour, his report noted.

While useful work had been done to reduce police time spent in court, further improvement was necessary, he said.

HMIC has made a number of recommendations during the year aimed at improving the delivery of policing in Scotland Andrew Brown HM Inspector of Constabulary

Mr Brown said: "In last year's annual report I issued a health warning about the future crime figures and the anticipated impact of the SCRS.

"A broad view suggests that the figures published last week are in line with anticipated trends, with those crimes which were expected to show the most marked increases, fire-raising, vandalism and petty thefts, doing so."

He said that the G8 summit at Gleneagles had been Scotland's biggest policing operation, which had required co-ordination across all eight forces and with other forces throughout the UK.

Mr Brown said: "There will always be scope for improvement and HMIC has made a number of recommendations during the year aimed at improving the delivery of policing in Scotland.

"However, we have found that forces and organisations are generally efficient and delivering good quality services to the public in their efforts to fight crime and create safer, stronger communities."