Siobhian Brown: The Scottish Government absolutely recognises the disruption and harm to businesses from theft and other antisocial behaviour. Police Scotland and partners are taking action to tackle and reduce it. We continue to support the innovative Scottish partnership against acquisitive crime—SPAACE—strategy. The partnership is led by Police Scotland working with retailers and other...
Siobhian Brown: The budget for police funding, even in these extremely challenging times, is £1.55 billion, which is an increase of £92.7 million. The chief constable has confirmed that Scottish Government investment will enable Police Scotland to recruit and increase police numbers. Earlier this year, I met the retail industry leadership group and the Scottish Retail Consortium, which raised...
Siobhian Brown: As well as the SPAACE initiative with Police Scotland, it is important to recognise some of the good collaborative work that is happening across Scotland. I have visited several projects in Stirling and Inverclyde, where local authorities are coming together with Police Scotland, education providers and local businesses to tackle issues. It is important to reiterate the importance of local...
Siobhian Brown: Our hate crime strategy delivery plan, which has been informed by people with lived experience of hate crime, is focused on building communities that are cohesive and alert to extreme right-wing divisive narratives, both online and offline, supporting its victims and improving the data to understand hate crime. The ways in which people can be radicalised are continuously evolving,...
Siobhian Brown: The Scottish Government takes the threat of extremism very seriously and will continue to work with partners to ensure that we can identify and tackle it effectively. We share the concerns that Mr Harvie raised regarding right-wing extremism globally. On the point about online behaviour, hate crime is hugely damaging and corrosive to families and communities. Our Hate Crime and...
Siobhian Brown: The hate crime strategy was published in March 2023, followed in November by the delivery plan, which sets out our immediate actions over the next two years to implement the strategy. Recent statistics are a reminder to redouble our efforts to tackle hate and to confront prejudice wherever it occurs. Our strategy remains relevant, and one of our key aims is to seek to improve the...
Siobhian Brown: I acknowledge that the recording of non-hate crime and hate crimes is an operational matter for Police Scotland. That is unchanged by the implementation of the 2021 act. Police Scotland is aware that the College of Policing has released guidance and, as far as I am aware, it is considering the recommendations.
Siobhian Brown: I want all our public bodies to be free from racism and discrimination and to reflect the society that they serve. We will continue to work in partnership with all our justice organisations to eradicate racism. For example, Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority are committed to ensuring that our police service is diverse, with a workforce that is reflective of the communities that...
Siobhian Brown: First, I say that my thoughts are with the family and friends of Mr Bayoh. As the member highlighted, the inquiry is examining the immediate circumstances leading to Mr Bayoh’s death, the police handling of the case and the investigation into the death, and whether race was a factor. The inquiry can also make recommendations to prevent deaths in similar circumstances. ...
Siobhian Brown: I thank the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service crews, along with all our emergency services, for their sterling efforts in tackling the large and complex fire that broke out at the Enva recycling facility on Sunday. At its height, 10 appliances and 50 firefighters were at the scene. Thankfully, there were no casualties and, as of this morning, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed...
Siobhian Brown: SEPA has confirmed that there were no compliance issues around the site that it was aware of. The site was deemed to be low risk, with no impact on amenity, and it is well managed. It deals only with waste electrical and electronic equipment. Any constituents in the area who have any residue from the fire in their gardens should contact the local authority. I know that SEPA has a...
Siobhian Brown: I think that we will have to wait for the thorough investigation to be concluded before we make any commitments in that regard. For the member’s information, he might like to know that, along with other United Kingdom nations, the Scottish Government is reviewing the UK-wide batteries regulation, which applies to placing batteries on the market and to waste battery issues, including...
Siobhian Brown: Clare Adamson might be aware that the SFRS has in place a bespoke working group that focuses on the risks of lithium-ion batteries. Its findings will bolster our community safety messaging. The working group has been expanded to include a number of stakeholders and to assist in a number of workstreams, including the planning and consultation process for battery energy storage systems, which I...
Siobhian Brown: As I have said previously, there is a bespoke working group, and the UK Government is currently reviewing the UK-wide batteries regulation. The Scottish Government is clear that battery energy storage is an essential component of the decarbonised electricity grid, and that we need bold action to tackle the climate emergency. Scotland has extensive renewable generation capabilities with which...
