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Police watchdog warns of local call diversion 'risk' Police watchdog warns of local call diversion 'risk'
(about 2 hours later)
Diverting calls away from regional police call centres creates "additional risk", a police watchdog has said.Diverting calls away from regional police call centres creates "additional risk", a police watchdog has said.
HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) probed call handling after police failed to attend a car crash on the M9 where two people died.HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) probed call handling after police failed to attend a car crash on the M9 where two people died.
Its interim report said pressure on regional staff was "unacceptably high", but said diverting calls to other areas was "creating additional risk".Its interim report said pressure on regional staff was "unacceptably high", but said diverting calls to other areas was "creating additional risk".
A report into stop-and-search practices has also been published.A report into stop-and-search practices has also been published.
Justice Secretary Michael Matheson is due make a statement on policing to the Scottish Parliament.Justice Secretary Michael Matheson is due make a statement on policing to the Scottish Parliament.
His speech will come a week after Sir Stephen House announced he is to stand down early from his post as chief constable of Police Scotland and two days after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced a national review of the force's governance.His speech will come a week after Sir Stephen House announced he is to stand down early from his post as chief constable of Police Scotland and two days after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced a national review of the force's governance.
HMICS began its review of all police call handling in Scotland after the death of Lamara Bell, who was discovered critically ill in a crashed car on the M9, next to her dead partner John Yuill.HMICS began its review of all police call handling in Scotland after the death of Lamara Bell, who was discovered critically ill in a crashed car on the M9, next to her dead partner John Yuill.
They were found by police three days after the crash was reported to them.They were found by police three days after the crash was reported to them.
Sir Stephen admitted that the information received about the crash in the initial call had not been entered into police systems.Sir Stephen admitted that the information received about the crash in the initial call had not been entered into police systems.
The Police Investigations Review Commissioner (Pirc) is investigating the incident itself, while the HMICS review examined the broader issue of call handling.The Police Investigations Review Commissioner (Pirc) is investigating the incident itself, while the HMICS review examined the broader issue of call handling.
Derek Penman, HM Inspector of Constabulary in Scotland, said more than 3,800 people were spoken to during the "extensive consultation" on control rooms.Derek Penman, HM Inspector of Constabulary in Scotland, said more than 3,800 people were spoken to during the "extensive consultation" on control rooms.
He said: "We also spent time at six call centres across Scotland and found all staff to be strongly committed, often in challenging circumstances, to providing a good service to the public.He said: "We also spent time at six call centres across Scotland and found all staff to be strongly committed, often in challenging circumstances, to providing a good service to the public.
"They continue to do a good job and are showing considerable flexibility in their working practices in their efforts to meet call demand."They continue to do a good job and are showing considerable flexibility in their working practices in their efforts to meet call demand.
"HMICS recognises the constraints placed upon Police Scotland as a result of staff shortages in Bilston Glen, Inverness, Aberdeen and Dundee, but considers that the practice of diverting overflow calls to the main sites in Govan, Motherwell and Bilston Glen is creating additional risk."HMICS recognises the constraints placed upon Police Scotland as a result of staff shortages in Bilston Glen, Inverness, Aberdeen and Dundee, but considers that the practice of diverting overflow calls to the main sites in Govan, Motherwell and Bilston Glen is creating additional risk.
"This will not be resolved until there is a full complement of trained staff supported by effective systems, processes and procedures in the main sites and we strongly believe that, until that is the case, the facilities in Inverness, Aberdeen and Dundee should remain in place.""This will not be resolved until there is a full complement of trained staff supported by effective systems, processes and procedures in the main sites and we strongly believe that, until that is the case, the facilities in Inverness, Aberdeen and Dundee should remain in place."
The full HMICS report on call handling will be published in October.The full HMICS report on call handling will be published in October.
In the interim, the watchdog has recommended that Police Scotland "consolidate and stabilise" staffing, procedures and processes in its centralised East and West call centres, while accelerating plans for the new North area control room in Dundee.In the interim, the watchdog has recommended that Police Scotland "consolidate and stabilise" staffing, procedures and processes in its centralised East and West call centres, while accelerating plans for the new North area control room in Dundee.
At First Minister's Questions, Ms Sturgeon said she was deeply sorry for the anguish of the families of those who died, and said the closure of police control rooms would be put on hold in line with the HMICS recommendation.
A Pirc probe is also under way into the death in police custody of Fife man Sheku Bayoh.A Pirc probe is also under way into the death in police custody of Fife man Sheku Bayoh.
The justice secretary will make a statement on policing on Thursday afternoon, from 14:15, which can be watched live or on demand at BBC Scotland's Democracy Live website.The justice secretary will make a statement on policing on Thursday afternoon, from 14:15, which can be watched live or on demand at BBC Scotland's Democracy Live website.
Mr Matheson is expected to announce a new chairman for the Scottish Police Authority, which oversees Scotland's single police force.Mr Matheson is expected to announce a new chairman for the Scottish Police Authority, which oversees Scotland's single police force.
Its current chairman Vic Emery is standing down at the end of his three-year term.Its current chairman Vic Emery is standing down at the end of his three-year term.