Coronavirus (COVID-19): Justice Analytical Services Data Report - November 2020

Sixth release of a monthly data report on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the justice system in Scotland, including information from Police Scotland, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service, and Scottish Prison Service.


Summary

This pack provides information on the impact of COVID-19 on the Justice system during November 2020.

Data has been gathered from a number of different sources and may be subject to future revision.

Public compliance

This pack includes information on COVID-19 related interventions undertaken by Police Scotland. In addition to this, information on the public’s compliance with measures to help restrict the spread of COVID-19 is collected from surveys of the population. Findings from these surveys can be found in the Public attitudes to Coronavirus: November Update.

Claimed compliance in Phase 3 has been high.

Police activity

  • Recorded crime was 6% lower over April to November compared to last year.
  • The number of incidents remain below 2019 levels.
  • Domestic abuse incidents were 6% higher in April to November 2020 compared to last year.
  • Coronavirus interventions increased by just under a third (31%) between October and November.

Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), Courts & Prisons

  • Total reports received by COPFS are above the 19-20 average.
  • COPFS reports awaiting marking continue to increase beyond 19-20 levels.
  • There were 27,872 fewer disposals from courts between April and November compared to last year.
  • Community disposals are returning to 19-20 levels but there remains a backlog of cases (and associated disposals) to conclude.
  • Initiations and disposals in the civil court remain below 19-20 levels.
  • Prison populations decreased as court business abated.
  • Prisoners on remand remain at historically high levels.

Contact

Email: Justice_Analysts@gov.scot

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