Police Scotland

Responsibility for policing throughout Scotland and for keeping people safe.
Services
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After a crime: your rights
Your rights as a victim or witness of crime – includes information on the Victims' Code for Scotland and the Standards of Service for victims and witnesses. -
After your police interview: victims and witnesses
Information for victims and witnesses about the police investigation, the prosecution process, the Scottish Children's Reporter Administration and how to ask for information. -
Apply for a pedlar's certificate
How to apply for a pedlar’s certificate from Police Scotland. -
Apply for a snare identification number
Apply for a snare identification number from Police Scotland. -
Apply for an explosives certificate or licence
How to apply for an explosives certificate or licence from Police Scotland. -
Being arrested: your rights
Includes powers of arrest, rights in custody, legal advice at the police station, young people and vulnerable adults. -
Being charged with a crime
What happens if the police charge you with a crime. Includes being released on an undertaking or kept in police custody until your first court hearing. -
Bus lane penalty fines
What to do if you get a bus lane Penalty Charge Notice including how to pay and how to appeal. -
Childhood abuse: support
Support and advice for survivors of childhood and historical abuse. -
Complain about the police
How to complain about the police using their procedure or by contacting the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner. -
Contact the police
Contact the police by calling 999 to report emergencies or by calling 101 for non-emergencies. -
Domestic abuse: support
Get help if you're experiencing or have experienced domestic abuse. -
Families of murder victims: support
Support for families and friends who've been bereaved as a result of a murder or culpable homicide. -
Football Banning Orders
A court can ban you from attending all football matches in Scotland, the rest of the UK and abroad for up to 10 years. -
Forced marriage: support
What to do if you're trying to stop a forced marriage in Scotland or overseas, or if you need help leaving a marriage you've been forced into. -
Get a copy of your police records
Ask your local police to give you a copy of the information they hold about you. -
Get advice about business crime
Get advice about business crime from Police Scotland. -
Get support as a victim or witness of crime
Find emotional support and practical information if you have been the victim of crime. -
Giving a statement after a crime
You'll normally be asked to give the police a statement so they can understand what happened. -
Hate crime: support
Crimes committed against someone because of their disability, gender-identity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. -
How to report a possible abuse of your human rights
If you feel your human rights have been abused, there are many ways you can report it. -
Human trafficking: support
Find out how to report human trafficking and how to get help. -
If a young person gets in trouble with the police
What happens if a child or young person gets in trouble with the police – includes the age of criminal responsibility and Children's Hearings. -
Keeping your home and personal property safe
Police Scotland give information on how to keep your home and personal property safe. -
License an air weapon
Anyone who owns or uses an airgun needs to have a licence. -
Organising an event: letting the police know
Information on telling Police Scotland about an event you’re organising. -
Personal safety and protection from crime
Police Scotland give information on personal safety and protection from crime. Includes doorstep crime, online dating and substance misuse. -
Police and fiscal warnings, fixed penalty notices and compensation
The police or procurator fiscal can give you a warning, penalty notice or another alternative to prosecution (direct measure) if you're accused of a crime. -
Police powers to stop and search: your rights
Information about what happens if you're stopped and searched by police, and what your rights are. -
Rape and sexual assault: support
If you've been raped or sexually assaulted, the police and support organisations are there to help. -
Report a crime
In an emergency call 999, to report a crime call 101. -
Report a missing person
Report a missing person to Police Scotland. You don’t need to wait 24 hours before contacting the police. -
Report a wanted person
Report a wanted person or find information about wanted fugitives in Scotland. -
Report a wildlife crime
Find out what to do if you think you’ve seen a wildlife crime. -
Report noise or antisocial behaviour
Find out how to report antisocial behaviour like noisy neighbours, litter and vandalism. -
Report your lost property
How to report your lost property to Police Scotland. -
Road crash victims: support
Information and advice for people bereaved or seriously injured in a road crash. -
Sex Offender Community Disclosure Scheme
Check the background of someone involved with a child to see if they have a record of sexual offences. -
Sex Offenders Register
If someone is convicted of a sexual offence, their details will be held on the Sex Offenders Register. -
Stalking: support
Find out how to report stalking and what support is available to you. -
Staying safe in winter weather
Information on keeping safe during winter weather. Includes travelling, grit bins, loss of utilities, frozen or burst pipes and snow and flooding. -
Staying safe online
Information about staying safe online, including: social media, apps, online fraud, cyber bullying, deleting your browser history and reporting online crime to the police. -
Support if someone shares your intimate picture without permission
Help if someone shares or threatens to share an intimate picture of you without consent – sometimes called 'revenge porn'. -
Surrender and Compensation Scheme for knives and bladed weapons
The Surrender and Compensation Scheme for knives and bladed weapons is now closed. If you own any listed weapons, it is now illegal to have them in your home -
Terrorism and national emergencies
How to report suspected terrorism and information about planning for national emergencies. -
Transporting abnormal loads
Police Scotland give information on transporting abnormal loads and agricultural vehicles. -
Understanding criminal justice
Information for victims and witnesses on what happens at each stage of the criminal justice system. -
Victim and witness harassment: support
What to do and how to get support if you’re being harassed because you’ve reported a crime. -
Young victims of crime: support
Advice and help if you’re a child or young person affected by crime, or their parent or guardian. -
Your rights if you're stopped by the police while driving
Your rights if you're stopped by the police while driving – motoring offences, faults with your vehicle, stolen property. -
Youth crime: support
How to report a crime committed by a person under the age of 16, and what support is available.
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