Recorded Crimes and Offences involving Firearms, Scotland, 2013-14

3. Background

To avoid unnecessary repetition of the term ‘recorded crimes and offences’ throughout this publication, reference will simply be made to ‘offences’. Any reference to the ‘use and/or involvement’ of firearms throughout this bulletin should also be interpreted to include the ‘alleged use and/or involvement’ of firearms.

Minor Firearms Act 1968 offences (mainly relating to the possession, handling and distribution of weapons and ammunition) are not included in the main points and main tables of this bulletin. Totals for these offences are presented separately in Table 16.

The statistics on firearm offences are used to inform National Outcome 9 – ‘we live our lives safe from crime, disorder and danger’ as well as The Strategy for Justice in Scotland. These statistics are also used by a wide range of stakeholders to monitor trends, for policy research and development, and for research purposes. The ‘Recorded Crimes and Offences Involving Firearms, Scotland’ statistical bulletin forms part of a series of bulletins produced by the Scottish Government on the criminal justice system.

The Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 changed the policing landscape in Scotland, replacing the previous eight police forces, the Scottish Police Services Authority and the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency from 1 April 2013. The Police Service of Scotland is now responsible for operational policing in Scotland and will be held to account by the Scottish Police Authority.