Criminal Proceedings in Scotland, 2022-23

11. Police disposals

(Tables 17-20)

When dealing with minor offences, the police may choose not to refer an individual to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) which may lead to court. Instead they may issue a recorded police warning (RPW), an Anti-Social Behaviour Fixed Penalty Notice (ASBFPNs) or another action specifically for juveniles (aged 8 to 17).

High-level summary

Police disposals

(Tables 17-19)

In 2022-23 there were 31,278 police disposals issued in Scotland. Of these:

• 21,127 (68%) were recorded police warnings
• 5,093 (16%) were Early and Effective interventions
• 4,722 (15%) were ASBFPNs
• Recorded police warnings were most commonly given for possession of drugs (6,610, or 31% ) and for threatening and abusive behaviour (5,373 or 25%)

Year on year change (2021-22 to 2022-23)

• There was almost no change in the number of police disposals issued between 2021-22 and 2022-23
• The number of RPWs has increased by 5% to 21,127
• The number of ASBFPNs decreased by 11% to 4,722

Change over the latest 10 years (2013-14 to 2022-23)

• Between 2013-14 and 2022-23 there was a decrease of 37,011 police disposals (down 54%)
• The largest change was in ASBFPNs which decreased by 50,900 (92%)

Breakdown by gender

• 73% of all recorded police warnings were given to males
• 31% of males given RPWs were aged over 40.

Key points to note

• There were 21,127 Recorded Police Warnings (RPWs) issued during 2022-23, which is an increase of 5% from the 20,139 issued in 2021-22.
• Early and Effective Interventions decreased by 7% between 2021-22 and 2022-23, from 5,496 to 5,093.

Chart 14. Recorded Police Warnings make up just over two-thirds of police disposals.

Police Scotland disposals, by type, 2022-23.

ASBFPNs accounted for more than 80% of the police disposals presented in this publication in 2013-14, but the number has been declining since then. In 2022-23 they made up 15% of police disposals. The most used police disposal in 2022-23 (68%) was the Recorded Police Warning which was introduced in 2015-16 (Chart 14). It is important to note, however, that there are other types of police measures not included in these statistics such as Fixed Penalty Notices for coronavirus restrictions, moving road traffic offences and other youth justice measures. A more detailed listing of the disposals available in this publication can be seen in Annex D.

Recorded Police Warnings

The use of Recorded Police Warnings (RPWs) grew quickly after their introduction in January 2016, becoming the most used police disposal in 2016-17 (19,678 issued). In 2022-23 there were 21,127 RPWs issued, which is an increase of 5% from 21,039 in 2021-22.

RPWs were issued in 2022-23 for a wide range of offences, such as Drugs possession (31% of all RPWs) and Threatening and abusive behaviour (25% of all RPWs) (Chart 15).

Chart 15. The most common crime types Recorded Police Warnings were issued for were Threatening and abusive behaviour, Drugs possession and Common assault.

Recorded Police Warnings issued by Police Scotland, by crime type, 2022-23.

The introduction of RPWs coincided with the phasing out of Formal Adult Warnings (FAWs), although FAWs are not a direct replacement for RPWs.

From 16 July 2018, it became possible to issue RPWs for less serious, non-sexual Common assault, and this use made up 15% of the total number of RPWs in 2022-23.

Anti-Social Behaviour Fixed Penalty Notices

Anti-Social Behaviour Fixed Penalty Notices (ASBFPNs) allow the police to issue offenders a £50 fine for a range of offences including drunken-related behaviours and playing loud music.

Chart 16. The most common offence Anti-Social Behaviour Fixed Penalty Notices were issued for was Breach of the peace etc.

Anti-Social Behaviour Fixed Penalty Notices (ASBFPNs) issued by Police Scotland, by offence type, 2022-23.