Gemma Fraser

By Gemma Fraser Head of content Text messages reminding people they need to attend court and a drive to reduce bail breaches could ease pressure on frontline officers struggling to cope with a surge in warrants. There has been a 31 per cent increase in warrants issued between 2022/23 and 2025/26, placing increasing demand on overstretched cops. Police Scotland ordered an internal audit of the management and governance of warrants, after a previous report highlighted the issue as a growing problem.

By Gemma Fraser Head of content The number of police officers absent from work as a result of post-traumatic stress has soared by two thirds in just two years. New figures obtained by 1919 also reveal the number of working days lost has more than doubled in recent years, increasing from 3,313 in 2023 to 6,863 last year. During the same period, the number of officers taking time off because of post-traumatic stress (PTS) increased by 67 per cent, from 36 to 60.

By Gemma Fraser Head of content Scotland’s police stations have lost almost 40 per cent of their cells since the creation of the single force, 1919 can reveal. New figures show that 438 cells have been taken out of action since 2013, meaning officers with no local availability have to travel to the nearest town or city with detention facilities – which can often take several hours. Concerns have been raised about the impact on resources, officer welfare and public safety.