Justice and Safety

  • Guest blog: Susannah Drury from Missing People

    28th December 2020 by

    The festive period can be a difficult time of year for anyone with a missing relative. It is also a hard time for people who are missing or thinking of going missing. In a guest blog, Susannah Drury of Missing People, outlines the vital support that is available and highlights the impact of the coronavirus...

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  • PSYV guest blog: Helping communities through the festive season

    24th December 2020 by

    This festive season Police Scotland Youth Volunteers (PSYV) in Lanarkshire have been working with local charities to provide essential food items to vulnerable people. The PSYV programme develops strong relationships between the police and young people by breaking down barriers and encouraging young people to be positive role models within their communities. Police Constable Martin...

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  • The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill

    15th June 2020 by

    The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill  seeks to modernise, consolidate and extend Scotland’s existing hate crime law – ensuring it is fit for modern Scotland. Current hate crime legislation has evolved over time in a fragmented manner. By providing greater clarity, transparency and consistency the new Bill – currently before the Scottish Parliament...

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  • Minister for Community Safety Ash Denham

    25th March 2020 by

    The Scottish Government recognises the important role played by legal aid providers in supporting their clients and our justice system. I also recognise that those offering legally aided services now face a time of unprecedented uncertainty, and require our support. I am keen to find ways to support cash flow in order to help alleviate...

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  • Justice Secretary comments on domestic abuse figures

    25th February 2020 by

    Police dealt with just over 60,000 incidents in 2018-19 Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf has responded to official statistics showing police recorded 60,641 incidents of domestic abuse in 2018-19 – a 2% rise on the previous year. Levels of domestic abuse recorded by police in Scotland have remained relatively stable since 2011-12, with around 58,000 to...

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  • The year in review

    31st December 2019 by

    Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf reflects on some key milestones of 2019. As 2019 draws to a close I want to express my thanks to everyone working across Scotland’s justice system – many of them through the festive holiday period – whether in law enforcement, the legal profession, prisons, social work or among community safety partners...

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  • Guest blog: Police Scotland Youth Volunteers helping keep communities safe

    27th December 2019 by

    This festive season Police Scotland Youth Volunteers (PSYV) in West Dunbartonshire have been working tirelessly to build strong, friendly relationships with their vulnerable neighbours, to help keep them safe and secure. The PSYV programme aims to strengthen the relationship with the police and young people, breaking down barriers and promoting positive role models. John from...

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  • Guest blog: Susannah Drury from Missing People

    24th December 2019 by

    As Christmas Day approaches, we welcome a guest blog from Missing People’s Director of Policy and Development Susannah Drury. Susannah joined Missing People in 2013 and leads the Policy and Research Team who help missing people and their families get the support they need from UK governments, the police and other agencies. She talks us...

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  • Christmas in Secure Care – guest blog from young people at Good Shepherd Centre, Bishopton

    23rd December 2019 by

    Guest blog from young people at the Good Shepherd Centre, Bishopton. https://twitter.com/GSCBishopton/status/1207674651121520645 The festive season is such a happy time of year, where families and friends enjoy spending time together. However, for some it can also be one of the most difficult times. This is especially true for young people living in secure care. The...

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  • Vulnerable Witnesses Act to come into force in January

    18th November 2019 by

    Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf and Lady Dorrian, Lord Justice Clerk today officially opened the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service’s new Glasgow Evidence and Hearings Suite. It provides facilities to let child witnesses pre-record their evidence and for vulnerable witnesses to give evidence remotely away from the formality of a court room. The suite also provides...

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