News about criminal justice in Scotland

This is where you can find news taken from the media and other on-line sources about crime and justice issues in Scotland and, where relevant, the rest of the UK and Europe, together with press releases, original sources and other useful links. We try to update daily. If you can't immediately find what you are looking for try the site search or go to 'Archives' on menu bar. Links to other sites are for provided for your information and do not imply an endorsement of their content. Also, although CjScotland attempts to be as comprehensive as possible in its coverage we do not represent that all the information you might need can be obtained from this site. This is a person, not a computer, compiled blog.

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Latest Justice News From the Scottish Government

Appointment of part-time sheriff
New appointment to the office of part-time sheriff.

National drug deaths database
Social and medical history of every person whose life is lost to drugs will be recorded in Scotland.

Police recruitment
Justice Secretary meets new recruits.

CjScotland News Log

Friday, January 09, 2004

Scottish Parliament: Committees round-up.

Communities Committee

Calls for evidence: The Scottish Parliament Communities Committee has agreed to call for evidence seeking views from all interested parties on the general principles of the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Bill which was introduced by the Scottish Executive on 29 October 2003. Deadline: Friday 30th January. Communities Committee

Justice 1 Committee

The list of submissions received in relation to the Criminal Procedure (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill is posted on the Justice 1 Committee site.

Justice 2 Committee

Meets on 13.1.04 at 2pm (see side bar) to take evidence on the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Bill. Agenda and Papers.

Posted by MM on Fri 9th Jan 2004 at 2:58 pm
Legislation • Permalink • Tell-a-Friend

Advance Notice: the SASD Annual Conference 2004

The SASD Annual Conference 2004 is entitled Evidence and
Effectiveness.

Dates: Friday 19th to Sunday 21 November 2004.
Location: Peebles Hydro Hotel

Both residential and day visitor rates will be available.

For further information please contact .

Posted by MM on Fri 9th Jan 2004 at 2:23 pm
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Prostitution: help for women in Aberdeen

“Hooker zone’s drop-in centre: Scotland’s only prostitute tolerance zone looks safe after cash was found for a new drop-in centre. Aberdeen’s harbour area was set aside three years ago to protect the city’s estimated 200 prostitutes and minimise the impact of their work on the public. . .” Daily Record. 8.1.04.

Posted by MM on Fri 9th Jan 2004 at 2:18 pm
Gender and crime Prostitution • Permalink • Tell-a-Friend

Fast-tracking, restorative justice and a second youth court in youth justice package

Update

“Thrills and spills as justice tops the agenda: Youth justice was discussed in Parliament yesterday, and nobody used the word “ned”. How disappointing. Even the Tories seemed happy with the Executive?s new youth-friendly approach. . .” Scotsman.

“Neds rear ugly heads but executive escapes by a whisker: Ah, neds. Love, loathe or lynch them, where would we be without them? They are the fuel that runs our little parliament and animates the great debates of our nation. . .” Herald

Civil Contingencies Bill published (Westminster)

Update

“Scots sidelined in emergencies bill: The First Minister of Scotland will not have the power to declare a state of emergency north of the border under sweeping new powers announced yesterday to tackle terror attacks and other major incidents [. . .] Jack McConnell confirmed yesterday that any such decision would be taken at Westminster although an emergency could be declared in Scotland alone. . .” Courier.

“Protecting our rights: [. . .] The bill, say ministers, will streamline civil protection procedures to meet the challenges of the new century. Yet this is no mere tidying up exercise [. . .] We do live in frightening, bewildering times. That is even more reason for holding tight to a sense of perspective, and not trading our liberties lightly. . .” Herald. Comment.

Following posted on 7.1.03 at 3.11pm

Media

“Emergency powers plan published: Sweeping new powers to tackle major terror attacks and other emergencies, have been proposed by ministers. The Civil Contingency Bill will update emergency laws dating back 80 years. . .” BBC

“Blunkett climbs down on emergency powers: Warnings that Government plans for dealing with major terrorist attacks could threaten civil liberties have led to significant amendments to a new Bill . . .” Evening Times

Press Release

“UK Civil Contingencies Bill: A new Bill designed to strengthen the UK’s response to emergency situations has been introduced in the House of Commons by the UK government with Scottish Ministers agreeing that it will include provisions for Scotland. . .“ Scot. Exec.

Gay Police Support on Tayside

“Drop-in centre for homosexual officers: The Gay Police Association said yesterday it would welcome the setting up of a drop-in centre for gay and lesbian officers in Tayside.

A spokesman for the association was speaking after Tayside deputy chief constable Ian Gordon said, ?If there is a need for that type of centre in Tayside, there is no reason why there should not be one here.?. . .” Courier

First Minister attacks Police Federation leader on Antisocial Behaviour Bill

Update

“Apologise for insulting remarks, McConnell told: Jack McConnell, the First Minister, was last night called upon by the Conservative Party to apologise to a police union chief he accused of being “out of touch with his members”. . .” Scotsman 9.1.04

“First minister is out of touch: Jack McConnell fell foul of the law yesterday when he launched a verbal attack on Douglas Keil, general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation. According to the first minister, Mr Keil’s criticisms of the Scottish Executive’s flagship anti-social behaviour bill are so unfounded as to put the general secretary on a different planet from rank-and-file officers. . .” Herald. Comment.

“McConnell Raps Police Union Boss Over Neds” Daily Record

Press Release

“Response to First Minister’s comment; [. . .] I have no doubt that the evidence I gave to the Justice Committee 2 was absolutely reflective of police officers’ views. . .” Douglas Keil. Scottish Police Federation

Following posted on 7.1.04 at 3.08pm.

“McConnell slams cop leader on thugs bill: Jack McConnell today launched an astonishing attack on a police union leader. He hit out at Doug Keil, general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, after he raised serious doubts over Executive plans to crack down on young thugs. . .” Evening Times

Posted by MM on Thu 8th Jan 2004 at 9:13 pm
Antisocial Behaviour Legislation Police • Permalink • Tell-a-Friend

Criticism of Antisocial Behaviour Bill presented by Police, Researchers and Voluntary Organisations

Update

“Police and charities maul antisocial bill: Police and children’s groups yesterday criticised Jack McConnell’s flagship antisocial behaviour legislation, demanding ministers rethink proposals to give Scottish forces radical new powers to disperse youngsters. . .” Herald

“Anger over youth behaviour bill” Scotsman

“Disorder bill’s proposals queried: Key parts of the Scottish Executive’s proposed crackdown on anti-social behaviour among young people have been criticised by a welfare group. Witnesses from the Sacro organisation told a Holyrood committee that some of the measures proposed were unnecessary, and could even make the problem worse. . .“ BBC 6.1.04

Following posted 7.1.04: 3.05pm

“Academics join police in criticism of youth legislation: Police chiefs and academics yesterday attacked the Scottish Executive?s flagship plans to crack down on young tearaways [. . .] Professor David Smith, of Edinburgh University, agreed that existing laws were adequate to cope with the problem. He said: “This doesn?t seem to add a power which is needed on top of powers that already exist. [. . .] Keith Simpson, the group?s [SACRO’s] head of service development, said: “The behaviour which goes on is already proscribed by existing legislation and the challenge for us is how to enforce that legislation and deal with the behaviour.”. . .“ Scotsman

“Antisocial Behaviour Bill needs extra support, say experts: Many of the measures in the controversial Antisocial Behaviour Bill will not work without additional support for young offenders, according to research funded by the Scottish Executive. David Smith, professor of criminology at Edinburgh University, and Dr Lesley McAra, who are in charge of the Edinburgh Youth Transitions Study ? an executive-funded long-term analysis of the behaviour of more than 4000 teenagers ? yesterday warned that a number of the key proposals, including Parenting Orders and Antisocial Behaviour Orders (ASBOs), would not stop youth crime. . .” Herald

“Young thugs crackdown ‘will worsen the problem’: Parts of the Scottish Executive?s promised clampdown on young troublemakers have been fiercely criticised by a welfare organisation in evidence to parliament. . .” Evening News

Petition seeking sexual offences charge anonymity rejected

“Rape case protection bid rejected: A call by a male pressure group to protect the anonymity of men accused of rape has been dismissed by MSPs. . .” BBC

“MSPs reject rape anonymity bid” Scottish TV

“Anonymity for rape accused rejected” Evening Times

“Group seeks rape case protection: A male pressure group is calling on the Scottish Parliament to protect men from false accusations of rape. The UK Men’s Movement is to petition the public petitions committee and call for various measures to help men fight false rape allegations. . .” BBC

“Anonymity for alleged sex offenders: A former SNP deputy leader , falsely accused of raping his daughter is set to lend his support to calls for men charged with sex offences to receive anonymity. . .” Scottish TV

Community Wardens and Professional Witnesses for East Renfrewshire

“Patrol teams to target neighbours from hell: Community wardens and professional witnesses will be recruited as part of a ?230,000 war on anti-social behaviour. The civilians will tackle vandalism and youth disorder in the troublespots in East Renfrewshire from April. . .” Evening Times

Posted by MM on Wed 7th Jan 2004 at 2:46 pm
Crime Prevention Community initiatives Police Civilians Young People • Permalink • Tell-a-Friend

Police photo school jotters in anti-vandalism campaign

“Jotter doodle clues help catch graffiti vandals: Doodlings of school pupils in Dundee are helping police crackdown on graffiti vandals as officers are able to compare scribbles on jotters with ?tags?, signatures spray-painted on walls in the area.

Picture phones have allowed officers to take photos of spray-paint vandalism, which are compiled in a database at Bell Street headquarters to build intelligence and help trace persistent vandals suspected of defacing dozens of walls. . .” Courier 6.1.04.

“Legal fears over graffiti check on children?s jotters: Human rights campaigners have raised concerns over a police policy of photographing children’s jotters to examine possible links to street graffiti. . .” Herald

Posted by MM on Wed 7th Jan 2004 at 2:42 pm
Children and justice Crime Prevention Police Campaigns • Permalink • Tell-a-Friend

Police Drink Drive Figures for Christmas and New Year up on 2002

Media

“‘Shocking’ rise in drink-driving: The number of drink-drivers caught in Scotland over the festive period rose despite the annual police crackdown. A total of 770 drivers were charged, compared to 750 last year and forces described the rise as “shocking”. . .” BBC

“Drink driver caught every hour during festive period” Scottish TV

“Shocking increase in drink drive figures” Grampian TV

“Dozing driver held in drink crackdown” Evening News

“Police catch one drink-driver every hour during festivities” Scotsman

“Tip-offs help raise ?shameful? drink-drive figures” Herald

“One drink-driver caught every hour” Times

Press Release

“Festive drink-drive figures: The increase in the number of people caught drink driving over the festive period is extremely disappointing, Deputy Justice Minister Hugh Henry said today. . .” Scot. Exec.

Posted by MM on Wed 7th Jan 2004 at 2:30 pm
Crime data • Permalink • Tell-a-Friend

POA considers action in support of NI staff

“Prison officers back strike threat: Scots prison officers are threatening to go on 24-hour strike in support of colleagues in Northern Ireland. The Prison Officers’ Association wants more money to upgrade the security of officers’ homes in Northern Ireland following a series of attacks. . .” BBC

“Barlinnie faces strike over terror threat: Evening Times

Posted by MM on Wed 7th Jan 2004 at 2:26 pm
Prisons and prisoners • Permalink • Tell-a-Friend

Research suggests morale problem in Prosecution Service

“‘Low morale’ in prosecution service: Scottish prosecutors are suffering from stress and low morale despite a multi-million pound investment programme, according to a survey.
Poll organisation NFO found that more than 40% of staff in the Procurator Fiscal Service believed it was a worse place to work than two years ago. . .” BBC

Posted by MM on Wed 7th Jan 2004 at 2:01 pm
Courts Procurators Fiscal • Permalink • Tell-a-Friend

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