Specialist reporting agencies: FOI release

Information requested

1 - Can you tell me which private companies and other bodies are allowed to investigate and report crimes in Scotland please?

2 - What specific powers do these specialist reporting agency's have?

3 - How many times have these specialist reporting agencies reported and prosecuted alleged crimes in Scotland since 2020 please?

4 - How many of those prosecutions have been successful?

5 - Have any other companies been stripped of their powers to investigate and report crimes in Scotland since 2020.

Response

1 - Can you tell me which private companies and other bodies are allowed to investigate and report crimes in Scotland please?

The operation of what are called specialist reporting agencies is the responsibility of the independent Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS). The Scottish Government does not have a role in determining what are specialist reporting agencies. There is information available on the COPFS website which, as at 2014, lists specialist reporting agencies in Scotland: Specialist Reporting Agencies | COPFS. 

2 - What specific powers do these specialist reporting agency's have?

3 - How many times have these specialist reporting agencies reported and prosecuted alleged crimes in Scotland since 2020 please?

4 - How many of those prosecutions have been successful?

5 - Have any other companies been stripped of their powers to investigate and report crimes in Scotland since 2020? 

Under section 17 of FOISA, I can advise the Scottish Government does not hold information in relation to questions 2 to 5. Given the responsibilities of the independent COPFS in this area, you may wish to seek this information from COPFS: Freedom of Information requests | COPFS.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.