Surrender and compensation scheme in Scotland for certain offensive weapons: guidance

6. What happens next?

If you are surrendering an item or items but are not seeking compensation, once the police have taken possession of your item(s) the surrender process is complete. Your item(s) will be disposed of under normal police operational procedures.

If you are surrendering an item or items and have agreed to accept the standard value of compensation for your item(s) as set out in the Values List at Annex B, once the police have taken possession of your item(s) they will retain a photo of the item(s) until such time as any claim for compensation has been determined. Once determined the photo of the item(s) will be disposed of under normal police operational procedures.

If you are seeking compensation and have not accepted the value of compensation for your item(s) as set out in the Values List at Annex B, once the police have taken possession of your item(s) they will retain the item(s) until such time as any claim for compensation has been determined. This is in case an independent valuation of the item(s) is necessary or deemed appropriate. Once determined the item(s) will be disposed of under normal police operational procedures.

A copy of the claim form and any supporting evidence as to the value of your item (where appropriate) submitted to the police, will be sent to the Scottish Government's Criminal Law, Practice and Licensing Unit where it will be considered.

You will be notified by the Scottish Government's Criminal Law, Practice and Licensing Unit once your claim has been considered and (if your claim is successful) you will be notified of the amount that is to be paid to you in compensation, and the compensation payment will then be made to you.

If for any reason it is determined that compensation should not be paid, you will be notified of this together with the reasons for the decision.

All correspondence between the Scottish Government and claimants will be based on the contact details provided in the claim form and will include the unique reference number provided to you by Police Scotland as per your receipt when surrendering your item(s).