Police in Tayside have been accused of “gross incompetence” or “manipulation” after a new report revealed a staggering crime figures bungle.
A new report from Scotland’s chief statistician has revealed that, for the last decade, the public were only informed of breach of the peace offences that had been “cleared up”.
As the Scottish Government revealed statistics showing the number of crimes in the country fell to its lowest level in 40 years, a catalogue of historical errors were buried within its report. Six issues were identified, with figures both over and under-estimated on multiple occasions.
“Erroneous” data was submitted on people who were “drunk and incapable” in Angus and Perth and Kinross, while double counting took place for offences including being disorderly on licensed premises, urinating and consuming alcohol in designated places and people refusing to quit licensed premises.
Scottish Conservative justice spokeswoman Margaret Mitchell said: “The public in Tayside will be astounded and deeply concerned at the number of examples of under-reporting and double counting by the legacy force for the area. These were not just one-offs, suggesting either gross incompetence or a potential manipulation of crime figures going back a decade.”
The report said ministers are “confident” the system is now “accurate and reliable”.
A Police Scotland spokesman said the new single force database is more accurate. All the Tayside issues have been corrected.
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