Complaint Handling Reviews

The Complaints

The complaints in this case arose after the applicant reported an incident to Police Scotland concerning a neighbour’s threatening and antisocial behaviour towards him. This followed a series of previous incidents and reports to the police.

Following an encounter with one of his neighbours, the applicant spoke to police officers who had been called to attend the property. The applicant explained what had occurred with his neighbour earlier that day and explained that the incident formed part of an ongoing pattern of threatening and antisocial behaviour which he had reported to the police on multiple occasions. The officers determined that no crime had been committed.

We have reviewed the handling of two complaints, namely that: 

1. A police officer informed the applicant that there was insufficient evidence to submit a report to the Procurator Fiscal, despite being made aware of the existence of doorbell footage and an independent witness who had contacted police due to the behaviour observed;

2. A police officer failed to appropriately consider the ongoing pattern of threatening and anti-social behaviour that the applicant described, which formed the context of the reported incident.

Police Scotland's Decision

Police Scotland did not uphold either of the applicant’s complaints. 

Our Findings

We have found that Police Scotland handled both complaints to a reasonable standard.

Police Bodies: Police Scotland