Source · Select Committees · Scottish Affairs Committee
Recommendation 37
37
Deferred
Currently, there are several ways in which people can report concerns to the police.
Conclusion
Currently, there are several ways in which people can report concerns to the police. One way is to call the 101 service for non-emergency incidents. Fraser Lamb, Firearms Licensing Adviser for the Scottish Association for Country Sports, told us that police will ask firearms licence applicants’ referees: “‘Would you know who to phone if you had concerns about the person?’ … trying to elicit the answer ‘Dial 101’”.109 An alternative, which Superintendent Steven Duncan, Head of National Firearms and Explosives Licensing for Police Scotland, told us is for people to contact the police using an online portal.110 A third way is to call the charity, Crimestoppers - Superintendent Duncan noted that one advantage of Crimestoppers is that people “can raise information or intelligence anonymously”.111
Government Response Summary
The government has noted the recommendation about creating a new reporting service and are seeking views on this in the accompanying consultation paper.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
The UK Government has noted the Committee’s recommendation around creating a new reporting service where members of the public can register concerns about certificate holders. We are seeking views on this in the accompanying consultation paper, including whether a specific phoneline should be introduced, how this might be funded, or whether the existing services offer a better way to achieve the purpose.