Report – Police Scotland – PIRC/00626/25
- Recommendations
- 0
- Link
- Report
The complaints in this case arose after the applicant was arrested by Police Scotland in relation to an ongoing neighbour dispute.
PIRC Reports
Police Investigations & Review Commissioner investigation and review reports, with annual complaint-review statistics.
131 reports130 recommendations228 complaints (2024/25)
Coverage: Scotland
Newest content date: 3 Sep 2026. This describes the content held here, not the date this page was opened.
How this source is collected and updated
- Collection method
- Web
- Observed update
- Updated monthly
- Last record written
- 10 Sep 2026
Records written on 3 of the last 90 days; last write 10 Sep 2026.
Publisher's stated schedule: Periodic. That is the publisher's own description, not a measurement of this copy.
Reports and publications
Report – Police Scotland – PIRC/00754/25
- Recommendations
- 2
- Link
- Report
The complaints in this case arose after officers attended at the applicant’s address to speak with him about a false allegation of assault made against him by two teenage girls. We have reviewed the handling of two complaints, namely that:
1: Police Scotland did not inform the applicant that he was the suspect in a report of a criminal assault; and
2: following a fabricated report of assault, naming the applicant as a suspect, Police Scotland did not charge anyone with wasting police time. Police Scotland's Decision Police...
Report – Police Scotland – PIRC/00544/25
- Recommendations
- 1
- Link
- Report
The complaints in this case arose after the applicant contacted the police to report that his neighbours had damaged his gate. The relevant neighbours were traced, cautioned and charged with vandalism and a Standard Prosecution Report was submitted to the...
1: we have recommended that, in relation to complaints 1, 2, 5 and 6, Police Scotland undertake further enquiry and provide the applicant with fresh responses.
Report – Police Scotland – PIRC/00599/25
- Recommendations
- 1
- Link
- Report
The complaints in this case arose after the applicant was arrested and charged under Section 170 of the Data Protection Act 2018. The applicant had previously worked as a volunteer administrator for a charity where he had identified several financial and...
1: we have recommended that Police Scotland conduct further necessary and proportionate enquiries into both complaints and thereafter provide a further response letter to the...
Report – Police Scotland – PIRC/00652/25
- Recommendations
- 1
- Link
- Report
The complaints in this case arose after the applicant made a report to the police on 12 June 2024 about an alleged assault. She alleged that her neighbour assaulted her during a dispute about parking. The applicant said that her neighbour had pushed and...
1: we have recommended that Police Scotland carry out any further necessary enquiries into the complaints, taking account of our observations.
Report – Police Scotland – PIRC/00660/25
- Recommendations
- 1
- Link
- Report
The complaints in this case arose after the applicant was reversing his car onto the public highway when he collided with the front of another vehicle. The applicant was charged with failing to provide his details following a road traffic collision. We have...
1: we have recommended that Police Scotland undertakes further necessary proportionate enquiries and provides the applicant with a further response.
Report – Police Scotland – PIRC/00725/25
- Recommendations
- 0
- Link
- Report
The complaints in this case arose after the police issued the applicant with a fixed penalty notice for driving through a red light. Whilst interacting with the applicant, officers suspected that he was under the influence of drugs and asked the applicant to...
Report – Police Scotland – PIRC/00556/25
- Recommendations
- 1
- Link
- Report
The complaints in this case arose following a long-standing dispute between the applicant and her neighbour. The applicant contacted the police on several occasions to report incidents including: damage to and theft of her property; threatening behaviour; and...
1: we have recommended that Police Scotland undertake any further necessary and proportionate enquiries and reassess the available information in respect of complaints 4 and 5.
Report – Police Scotland – PIRC/00640/25
- Recommendations
- 2
- Link
- Report
The complaints in this case arose after Police Scotland attended the applicant’s address following a report that there had been a disturbance and that her partner was at her property in breach of bail conditions.
1: Officers unlawfully entered the applicant’s home.
2: Officers unlawfully searched the applicant’s home. Police Scotland’s Decision Police Scotland did not uphold either of the applicant’s complaints.
Report - Police Scotland - PIRC/00322/25
- Recommendations
- 1
- Link
- Report
We have found that Police Scotland handled complaints 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 to a reasonable standard but not so complaint 11.
1: we have recommended that Police Scotland record complaint 11 as a relevant complaint about the police.
Report – Police Scotland – PIRC/00594/25
- Recommendations
- 1
- Link
- Report
The complaint in this case arose after the applicant was charged for a contravention of Regulation 103 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986. The applicant has been involved in an ongoing dispute regarding the use of a private,...
1: we have recommended that Police Scotland update the complaint handling form in respect of complaint 1, and reassesses complaints 2 and 3, and provide a further response letter to...
Report - Police Scotland – PIRC/00705/25
- Recommendations
- 1
- Link
- Report
The complaint in this case followed another individual being named as next of kin on the report submitted by Police Scotland to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service after the sudden death of the applicant’s father. Police Scotland established that...
1: we recommend that Police Scotland carry out any necessary further enquiries and re-assess the complaint.
Report - Police Scotland - PIRC/00715/25
- Recommendations
- 0
- Link
- Report
The complaints in this case arose after the applicant contacted Police Scotland to report an alleged hate incident.
Report - Police Scotland - PIRC/00769/25
- Recommendations
- 1
- Link
- Report
The complaint in this case arose after the applicant was issued with a Recorded Police Warning for an offence under section 52(1) of the Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995 in respect of removing and damaging signage from a boundary wall of his...
1: we have recommended that Police Scotland carry out any further necessary and proportionate enquiry and thereafter provide the applicant with a well-reasoned further response.
Report - Police Scotland – PIRC/00819/25
- Recommendations
- 1
- Link
- Report
The complaint in this case arose after the applicant made a report to the police about her former husband’s controlling behaviour towards her over a period of three years.
1: we have recommended that Police Scotland conducts further enquiry into the complaint.
Report – British Transport Police (BTP) – PIRC/00024/25
- Recommendations
- 1
- Link
- Report
The complaints in this case arose following the applicant challenging another passenger about the noise they were making on a train. The conductor and railway hospitality trolley steward identified the applicant as the principal perpetrator of the...
1: we have recommended that BTP re-assess the information available; and issue the applicant with a fresh response which clearly states whether the applicant’s complaint is upheld...
Report – Police Scotland – PIRC/00126/25
- Recommendations
- 1
- Link
- Report
The complaints in this case arose after officers attended an incident at the applicant’s father’s home, involving four members of her family. The applicant complained about the number of officers deployed and an alleged failure by them to maintain control of...
1: we have recommended that Police Scotland conducts any necessary and proportionate further enquiries in relation to complaint 2, and re-assesses the available information in...
Report – Police Scotland – PIRC/00383/25
- Recommendations
- 0
- Link
- Report
On 23 December 2023, the applicant was dissatisfied with Police Scotland’s diary appointment system.
Report – Police Scotland – PIRC/00438/25
- Recommendations
- 0
- Link
- Report
The complaints in this case arose after the police visited the applicant’s home in relation to an alleged road traffic incident involving a vehicle registered in her name. The complaints were about the procedural actions of two police officers during this...
Report – Police Scotland – PIRC/00451/25
- Recommendations
- 2
- Link
- Report
Since January 2024, the police have failed to act in regard to reported incidents with the applicant’s neighbour.
1: we have recommended that Police Scotland reassess the available information in light of our observations and, thereafter, provide the applicant with a well-reasoned further...
2: we have recommended that Police Scotland record the two elements of the complaint as separate complaints about the police.
Report – Police Scotland – PIRC/00523/25
- Recommendations
- 1
- Link
- Report
The complaint in this case arose after the applicant was arrested and charged for domestic related incidents against his ex-partner. The applicant was released on bail with conditions not to approach his ex-partner. An officer contacted the applicant...
1: we have recommended that Police Scotland reassess complaints 1 and 2 and conducts further necessary and proportionate enquiries into complaint 3.
Report – Police Scotland – PIRC/00620/25
- Recommendations
- 2
- Link
- Report
The complaints in this case arose after the applicant contacted Police Scotland in relation to what he considered to be anti-social behaviour/breach of the peace on two occasions on the same date. We have reviewed the handling of two complaints, namely that:
1: we have recommended that Police Scotland reassess complaints 1 and 2 and provide the applicant with further responses.
2: we have recommended that Police Scotland re-categorise the complaint.
Report – Police Scotland – PIRC/00185/25
- Recommendations
- 0
- Link
- Report
The complaints in this case arose after the applicant, and her neighbour, made reports to the police about each other. We have reviewed the handling of six complaints , namely that:
Report – Police Scotland – PIRC/00553/25
- Recommendations
- 0
- Link
- Report
The complaints in this case arose after the applicant reported to the police that their friend was missing. We have reviewed the handling of two complaints, namely that:
Report – Police Scotland – PIRC/00166/25
- Recommendations
- 2
- Link
- Report
The complaints in this case arose after officers stopped the applicant on the street as part of a missing person enquiry. The applicant was upset by the stop. Her interactions with the officers involved were the basis of her complaints.
1: we have recommended that Police Scotland seek accounts from the subject officers and issue a further letter of response to the applicant that clearly explains the outcome of the...
2: We have also recommended that Police Scotland seek clarity from the applicant regarding the crux of the complaint 3.
Report – Police Scotland – PIRC/00524/25
- Recommendations
- 1
- Link
- Report
The applicant called the police to report that his neighbours had started an open fire, close to his building. The police contacted the fire service, who attended the scene and extinguished the fire. The day after, the applicant contacted Police Scotland...
1: we have recommended that Police Scotland reassess complaint 2 and thereafter provide a further response to the complaint, which clearly explains how the information available...
Report – Police Scotland – PIRC/00192/25
- Recommendations
- 1
- Link
- Report
The complaint in this case arose after the applicant and his ex-wife made allegations against each other to the police. The police took no further action against the applicant’s wife, however the applicant was arrested and charged with Section 39 of the...
1: we have recommended that Police Scotland reassesses complaints 1 and 4, and thereafter provide the applicant with a further response to both complaints, which clearly explains how...
Report – Police Scotland – PIRC/00241/25
- Recommendations
- 1
- Link
- Report
The complaint in this case arose after the applicant made complaints about the police investigation and the report submitted to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) following reports that the applicant had committed sexual offences. In...
1: we have recommended that Police Scotland ensure that the applicant’s original complaints are properly recorded and investigated.
Report – Police Scotland – PIRC/00320/25
- Recommendations
- 0
- Link
- Report
The complaint in this case arose after the applicant was arrested and charged with an alleged contravention of section 127(2)(a) of the Communications Act 2003. Two coastguard officers identified the applicant as being responsible for a number of hoax calls,...
Report – Police Scotland – PIRC/00482/25
- Recommendations
- 2
- Link
- Report
The complaint in this case arose after Police Scotland received a report that the applicant’s ex-partner was in attendance at her address and causing a disturbance. Officers attended the applicant’s address and ascertained that her ex-partner was not present...
1: we have recommended that Police Scotland re-categorise the complaints.
2: we have also recommended that Police Scotland amend the determination recorded.
Report – Police Scotland – PIRC/00290/25
- Recommendations
- 0
- Link
- Report
The complaints in this case arose after the applicant reported the alleged actions of three police motorcyclists on a motorway.
Report – Police Scotland – PIRC/00124/25
- Recommendations
- 1
- Link
- Report
The complaints in this case arose after a third party was arrested in a licensed premise following an altercation with the applicant and his colleague, who were both serving police officers at the time. We have reviewed the handling of seven complaints,...
1: we recommend that Police Scotland undertake further enquiry, reassess the complaints and provide the applicant with a further response.
Report – Police Scotland – PIRC/00213/25
- Recommendations
- 1
- Link
- Report
The complaint in this case arose after the applicant’s car was seized following a collision with a police vehicle.
1: we have recommended that Police Scotland conduct further necessary enquiries and, thereafter, issue the applicant with a well-reasoned further response which clearly explains...
Report – Police Scotland – PIRC/00264/25
- Recommendations
- 2
- Link
- Report
The complaint in this case arose from the lack of action into a crime the applicant reported to the police, and her arrest and charge with a counter allegation. The applicant, and another named female, reported each other to the police for communication act...
1: we have recommended that Police Scotland reassess complaints 1, 10 and 16 in line with our observations and re-categorises complaints 1 and 14.
2: We have also recommended that complaints 4 and 11 are split and recorded as two separate complaints about the police.
Report – Police Scotland – PIRC/00280/25
- Recommendations
- 1
- Link
- Report
The complaints in this case arose after the applicant reported to the police that her car had been damaged by another motor vehicle. The applicant complained about the sufficiency and outcome of the police investigation into her report.
1: we have recommended that Police Scotland re-assesses the available information and conducts any necessary and proportionate further enquiries in relation to these complaints.
Report – Summary Police Scotland – PIRC/00387/25
- Recommendations
- 1
- Link
- Report
The complaints in this case arose after the applicant contacted Police Scotland to report an alleged hate crime.
1: we have recommended that Police Scotland conduct any further necessary enquiries, reassess the available information in light of our observations and issue the applicant with a...
Report – Police Scotland – PIRC/00154/25
- Recommendations
- 1
- Link
- Report
The complaint in this case arose after the applicant reported that his dog was attacked to the police. An officer contacted the applicant the following day to obtain details of the incident and then made contact with the local dog warden, who said he would...
1: we have recommended that Police Scotland conducts further necessary and proportionate enquiries into complaint 2.
Report – Police Scotland – PIRC/00262/25
- Recommendations
- 1
- Link
- Report
The complaint in this case after officers asked the applicant to provide a specimen of breath and she refused to do so. The applicant was arrested, conveyed to a police office, charged and thereafter released on a police undertaking to appear in court. We...
1: we have recommended that Police Scotland conduct any further necessary and proportionate enquiries and provide the applicant with fresh responses.
Report – Police Scotland – PIRC/00420/25
- Recommendations
- 0
- Link
- Report
The complaints in this case arose after the applicant was issued with a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) when his vehicle was involved in a speeding offence.
Report – Police Scotland – PIRC/00456/25
- Recommendations
- 1
- Link
- Report
The complaints in this case arose after the applicant reported a fraud to the police in August 2023 which resulted in financial loss to him. The applicant told the police that and individual had convinced him to invest money under their guidance. After he had...
1: we have recommended that Police Scotland should (i) seek a statement and agree heads of complaint with the applicant, (ii) conduct any further enquiry as necessary, (iii) reassess...
Report - Police Scotland - PIRC/00091/25
- Recommendations
- 2
- Link
- Report
The complaints in this case arose after officers stopped the applicant whilst driving his car. The officers asked the applicant to provide his details. In response, the applicant asked the officers why they had carried out the traffic stop. He did not provide...
1: we have recommended Police Scotland (i) conduct any further enquiry as necessary, (ii) reassess the complaint taking account of our observations, and (iii) consider all available...
2: we have recommended that Police Scotland record each element of the applicant’s complaint as individual heads of complaint.
Report – Police Scotland – PIRC/00386/25
- Recommendations
- 1
- Link
- Report
The complaint in this case arose after the applicant applicant’s son was convicted of domestic abuse. The reported threatening comments being made on social media posts about his son’s conviction. The applicant was informed that the social media posts had...
1: we recommend that Police Scotland conduct all necessary further enquiries, re-assess the available information and taking account of our observations, issue the applicant with a...
Report - Police Scotland – PIRC/00076/25
- Recommendations
- 1
- Link
- Report
The complaint in this case arose after the applicant reported concern to Police Scotland that his records had been inappropriately accessed by serving officers.
1: we have recommended that Police Scotland conduct any further proportionate enquiries and, thereafter, reassess the available information in light of our observations and issue the...
Report – Police Scotland – PIRC/00112/25
- Recommendations
- 1
- Link
- Report
The complaints in this case arose after the applicant reported concern to Police Scotland that his daughter’s ex-partner, a serving police officer, had been abusing his position by having welfare checks carried out on their children in order to harass his...
1: we have recommended that Police Scotland conduct any further necessary enquiries and, thereafter, reassess the available information in light of our observations and issue the...
Report – Police Scotland – PIRC/01140/24
- Recommendations
- 0
- Link
- Report
The complaints in this case arose after the applicant reported her ex-husband to the police for breaching a non-harassment order. Officers attended at the applicant’s address and noted a statement from her. Thereafter, officers discussed the applicant’s...
Report - Police Scotland – PIRC/00052/25
- Recommendations
- 1
- Link
- Report
The complaints in this case arose the applicant reported to police that he had received four anonymous letters through the post, which were of a sexual nature.
1: we have recommended that Police Scotland conduct further necessary enquiries, re-assess the available information, taking into account our observations, and issue the applicant...
Report - Police Scotland - PIRC/00089/25
- Recommendations
- 1
- Link
- Report
The complaint in this case arose after the applicant was reported to the Procurator Fiscal for a contravention of section 2(1) of the Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm (Scotland) Act 2016.
1: we have recommended that Police Scotland, reassess the available information and, in light of our observations, issue the applicant with a further response which provides him with...
Report - Police Scotland - PIRC/00142/25
- Recommendations
- 1
- Link
- Report
The complaints in this case arose following the applicant reporting his nephew to police in connection with a family dispute about the living and care arrangements in place for the applicant’s mother.
1: we recommend that Police Scotland undertake further enquiry, reassess the complaints and provide the applicant with a further response.
Report - Police Scotland - PIRC/00991/24
- Recommendations
- 1
- Link
- Report
The complaints in this case arose when the applicant reported incidents of vandalism and harassment to the police. Specifically, he reported damage to his vehicle and objects being thrown at his home. On each occasion, Police Scotland advised the applicant...
1: we have recommended that Police Scotland properly record each aspect of the complaints as individual heads of complaint; reassess the complaints taking account of our...
Report - Scottish Police Authority - PIRC/01014/24
- Recommendations
- 1
- Link
- Report
The complaints in this case arose following an internal review of the police investigation into the death of the applicant’s son. Following the applicant’s son’s death, the applicant and his wife questioned the circumstances surrounding his death and raised...
1: we have recommended that the SPA conducts further necessary and proportionate enquiries into complaints 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, and 10; reassesses complaint 3; and provides a further...
PIRC complaints received over time
Read the chart values
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| 2020/21 | 0 |
| 2021/22 | 271 |
| 2022/23 | 256 |
| 2023/24 | 256 |
| 2024/25 | 228 |
The chart shows annual complaint-review volumes in the loaded PIRC statistics.
Annual complaint-review statistics
| Period | Complaints received | Complaints reviewed | Recommendations made | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024/25 | 228 | 554 | 182 | Original source ↗ |
| 2023/24 | 256 | 1,346 | 265 | Original source ↗ |
| 2022/23 | 256 | 953 | 229 | Original source ↗ |
| 2021/22 | 271 | 817 | 264 | Original source ↗ |
| 2020/21 | 0 | 880 | 270 | Original source ↗ |