Scottish Crime Recording Standards

Question 1

State the aim of the Scottish Crime Recording Standard

Answer 1

To provide a victim orientated approach that serves the needs of our communities and ensures uniformity in crime recording standards throughout Scotland

Question 2

State the three principles of the SCRS

Answer 2

1. All reports of incidents, whether crime related or not, will result in the creation of a report which is auditable.
2. Following initial investigation, an incident will be recorded as a crime in all cases if:
   - The circumstances amount to a crime defined by Scots Law, or an offence under statute, and
   - There is no credible evidence to the contrary.
3. Once recorded, a crime will remain recorded unless there is credible evidence to disprove that a crime had occurred.

Question 3

Describe the implications of the SCRS

Answer 3

1. A more victim orientated approach, and
2. Uniformity across Scotland

SCRS applies the “balance of probability” test, not the same standard of sufficiency required to submit a report to the PF. Normally, the belief of the victim that a crime has occurred will be enough to create a CR, but not always. Initial investigation will be key in determining whether a crime should be recorded.

Question 4

List the type of incidents that are “crime related”

Answer 4

Crime related incidents are defined as “any incident relating to a criminal offence or one in which any criminal offence may have been committed.”

Initial Call Types are:

Alarm Activations
Anti-Social Behaviour
Admin
Crime
Public Safety
Public Welfare
Transport

Question 5

Describe the procedure to be used in relation to initial and disposal codes used on the Command and Control system (STORM)

Answer 5

When an incident is raised, a relevant Initial Call Type is allocated based on the information provided.

After attending an incident, the ICT may be identified as being incorrect and will need to be amended (i.e. from Crime type to Admin type).

When disposing of an incident, an SCRS disposal code must be applied. Up to 6 may be applied to an incident.

These include
SC01 - Crime Report
SC02 - No Crime Report
SC04 - See Linked Incident
SC05 - Transferred to Other Force