Scotland's top cop says 'change not happening fast enough'

The chief constable of Police Scotland has said judicial change is not happening fast enough with overtime spend on officers’ attendance at court adding up to £3 million in the last year.

In her recent remarks, Ms. Farrell voiced concerns over the inefficiencies within the Scottish judicial system, contrasting it unfavorably with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in England.

Despite acknowledging progressive efforts in Glasgow Sheriff Court and Dundee Sheriff Courts under proactive leadership, she criticized the overall speed.

Ms. Farrell outlined imminent plans to streamline resources allocated to handling 101 calls, shifting focus towards frontline policing and prioritizing investigations into organized crime.

Meanwhile, she anticipated a rise in reports concerning fraud, cybercrimes, and online exploitation of minors.

Ms. Farrell pledged to optimize response times. However, she lamented the existing disparities in access to third-party support, labeling it a "postcode lottery."

In response, both the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) acknowledged ongoing collaboration with Police Scotland to enhance case management and trial procedures.

They highlighted initiatives aimed at reducing unnecessary delays and improving witness experiences, emphasizing the need for continued cooperation across the justice system.

While acknowledging the challenges, SCTS underscored the complexity of comparisons with other jurisdictions, emphasizing Scotland's commitment to prosecuting serious cases and achieving record levels of case resolutions despite increasing caseloads.