SNP: Home affairs

Find out more about SNP policies on home affairs.

Home affairs policies such as policing and criminal justice are devolved matters dealt with by the Scottish Parliament. But Westminster retains responsibility for a wide range of UK-wide issues uncluding drugs policy, guns, immigration, gambling, data protection and terrorism and emergency powers.

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POLICING AND CRIME

The Scottish National Party says that under New Labour recorded crime has risen, while police numbers have fallen.

The party says that it would provide resources for 1,000 more police in Scotland and reform criminal justice procedures to ensure officers spend less time on paperwork and more time fighting crime.

The SNP says that parents should be made more responsible for any crimes committed by their children. It supports introducing compensation orders against parents whose children have damaged property.

The party advocates life-time supervision orders for criminals who continue to pose a danger to society.

And it says it would implement recommendations of the MacLean Report on Serious Violent and Sexual Offenders which would allow authorities to recall to custody those who have breached release conditions.

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DRUGS

The SNP says a major cause of criminal activity is the drug culture that has developed in parts of Scotland.

The SNP believe that tackling the drugs issue means tackling issues of both supply and demand and that a variety of measures ranging from rehabilitation to education and policing are required.

The supply of drugs must be tackled by seizing the assets of criminals who have benefited from the drugs trade.

The party also supports the introduction of drug courts. Long-term policies include investing in effective drugs education programmes.

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ASYLUM AND IMMIGRATION

The SNP is in favour of giving help, support and residency to refugees fleeing persecution and war in line with international treaty obligations.

It would like to see a speedier asylum application process and better co-operation at a European level. The party is opposed to the current voucher system which denies asylum seekers benefit payments.

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EQUALITY

The SNP says that it has a long-held commitment to constitutionally protect the rights of all people in Scotland, regardless of race, gender, sexuality disability or social background.

The party says it will continue to place this commitment at the centre of its actions both in the House of Commons and in the Scottish Parliament.

Until independence is achieved, it will press for legislative powers in this area to be devolved to the Scottish Parliament.