Force must face up to its failings on figures

The creation of Police Scotland was supposed to lead to greater efficiencies and a level playing field for communities across the country. So today’s revelation that the single national force has yet to introduce a standardised method of collecting and recording data – almost five years after it was created – does not inspire confidence.

Since 2016, a total of 1,043 Freedom of Information requests to Police Scotland have been refused on the grounds of expense, mostly because the 13 divisions are still using their own methods to collate data.

One inquiry from The Courier was turned down because the force said it would cost too much to sift through 4,000 different crime reports.

This is not just about obstacles being put in the way of reporters.

The Scottish Information Commissioner has told us he too is investigating the force’s refusal to share details of its performance.

And without ready access to reliable information on crime figures, how can Police Scotland measure its work, identify trends and adapt to the demands of society?

Bosses say they have a strategy to put systems in place by 2026 – eight years from now and 13 years after unification was supposed to have happened.

Perhaps a little urgency is in order if the unified force is serious about showing it can live up to its promise.