Scottish Crime Recording Board minutes: March 2026

Attendees and apologies

Attendees

• David Smith (Chair), Scottish Government: Justice ASD
• Rose Munenura, Scottish Government: Justice ASD
• Susan Carsley, Scottish Government: Justice ASD
• Emily MacLaren, Scottish Government: Justice ASD
• Michael Mcgill, Scottish Government: Justice ASD
• Lynne White, Police Scotland: Crime Registrar
• Ashley MacRobert, Police Scotland: Crime Registrar
• Malcolm Kerr, Police Scotland: Crime Registrar
• Maggie Pettigrew, HMICS
• Angela Wood, Police Scotland: Policy, Audit, Risk and Assurance
• Stuart Faulds, Police Scotland: Demand and Productivity Unit
• Jennie Judge, MOD: Crime Registrar
• Alaisdair Penny, Police Scotland: Specialist Crime Division
• Fiona Roberts, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service
• Martin Gardner, British Transport Police

 

Apologies

• Lorraine Ramsay, Police Scotland: Crime Registrar
• Tina MacLucas, Police Scotland: Demand and Productivity Unit

Items and actions

Agenda

• Introductions/Apologies
• Actions from previous Meeting
• Update on recording of fraud
• Recording of DASA charges
• Update on recording practice for children in care pilot
• Police Scotland update on Improvement Plan/Audit Recommendations
• Police Scotland Internal audit update
• HMICS audit update
• Update on Data Quality Assurance and Outcomes
• Update on Accredited Official Statistics Recorded Crime Publications
• Proposed coding changes
• Recording of Assault during consensual sexual activity
• SCRS amendments for 2026/27
• Any other Business
• Date of Next Meeting

 

Actions arising from meeting 21:

Approval of changes to crimes associated with DASA recording

Following the approval in principle from the Board, Police Scotland  to provide members with updated SCRS guidance on the recording of crimes associated with DASA cases, once received from COPFS. This will then be included in the SCRS manual from 1 April 2026.

Police Scotland update on Improvement Plan/Audit Recommendations

Police Scotland to provide background information on the new Crime and Incident Management Group to Justice Analytical Services, who will include this in the User Guide.

Update on Accredited Official Statistics Recorded Crime Publications

In discussion with Police Scotland, Justice Analytical Services to explore a proposal to incorporate a new chapter on domestic abuse related crimes into the Recorded Crime Statistics (as part of a wider consideration of the production of data on this topic). Any resulting proposal to be considered by Board members.

Proposed coding changes

Following Board approval, the coding of crimes for charges relating to fire-raising will be amended, with further detail provided to users.

Recording of Assault during consensual sexual activity

Following Board approval for the change in approach, the SCRS will be updated and this guidance will be included 1 April onwards. 

SCRS amendments for 2026/27

Justice Analytical Services to publish the updated Scottish Crime Recording Standard manual.