Crime

Scotland needs community police back , and SNP must come up with cash
The last decade has been a long and weary succession of lean years for our police
Tom Wood

A delivery rider on a pavement in Glasgow city centre on Friday (Photo by John Devlin/The Scotsman)

My biggest irritation when cycling is not what you think Alastair Dalton

A bombshell report published on May 20, 2024 revealed more than 30,000 people were infected with viruses such as HIV and hepatitis after being given contaminated blood in Britain between the 1970s and 1990s (Picture: Benjamin Cremel / AFP / Getty)

Is blood scandal redress coming?

The concept of a 'reasonable excuse' is intended to be considered in real-world circumstances of individual taxpayers, says Kerri McHale

Sometimes ‘but I didn’t know’ are the magic words

Artificial intelligence can help litigants find the words, but not necessarily the right ones, says Bobby Murray

When the stakes are high, cutting corners remains a fool’s bargain

Douglas McConnell points to a movement away from the traditional emphasis on testing evidence in open court

Are the scales of justice still balanced in Scotland?

Police on Gilmerton Road

Gun fired at Edinburgh pub window in 'targeted' incident

It is alleged that Fraser Kilpatrick assaulted Shona Stevens (pictured) in Bourtreehill Park , on November 10 1994. (PA/Police Scotland)

Man accused of Shona Stevens murder more than 30 years ago faces trial

A delivery rider on a pavement in Glasgow city centre on Friday (Photo by John Devlin/The Scotsman)

Biggest crackdown on illegal e-bike use launched by Police Scotland

Thomas Mitchell is a Partner, RTA LAW LLP (Picture: David Ho & Sandie Knudsen)

Still a long way to go on motorcycling fatalities

Stuart Clubb is a partner at Shoosmiths Scotland specialising in insolvency and restructuring.

With insolvency cases, the devil is in the detail

Leaders may find themselves implementing outcomes they trust but cannot fully explain (Picture: stock.adobe.com)

The AI accountabilty gap is a real risk for organisations

Police are appealing for information following the incident

Teenager taken to hospital after hit-and-run crash in Midlothian

The 17-year-old who died following an incident on Ashgill Road on Wednesday evening has been named as Jack Mellon.

Murder investigation as police name 17-year-old who died in Glasgow

Youths wearing balaclavas have become a feared sight in many towns and cities (Picture: Darren Staples)

SNP must be bold and crack down on balaclava-clad thugs Scotsman comment

Police officer Carmichael John Williamson, 32, of Shetland was found guilty of four sexual offences - including three of rape - against a teenage girl and a woman on Shetland, where he lived and served.

Shetland police officer guilty of rape of teenage girl and woman

Woman who sexually assaulted man on train in Glasgow - witness appeal

Director General of MI5 Sir Ken McCallum

AI could give terrorists access to bioweapons, MI5 chief warns

Claudia Preiss is a Trainee Solicitor, Balfour+Manson

‘Informed consent’ is key for medics and patients

Laura Tainsh is a Partner and Head of Environment, Davidson Chalmers Stewart (Picture: Paul Bock)

Collaboration vital for Scotland’s waste management sector

For use in UK, Ireland or Benelux countries only Undated BBC handout photo of Claudia Winkleman on The Celebrity Traitors, which returns for its second series this evening. Hosted by Claudia Winkleman, the game will follow the 21 celebrity contestants as they try to seek out the traitors among them who kill off players in the middle of the night. Issue date: Thursday October 1, 2026. (Picture: BBC/Studio Lambert/Euan Cherry/PA Wire)

Banishment in the workplace just got more tricky

Stark apologised to police for breaching his non-harassment order (Picture: Police Scotland)

Two arrested after trouble breaks out following Dundee United v Hibs

Stacey Hogg was murdered by her former partner at home in Hawick in June this year. Lee Inglis was on a community sentence at the time after assaulting her in 2024.

Stacey Hogg murder must force 'hard look' at punishment of abusers

Ilia Belov and and Nadjedzha Belova.

Bulgarian siblings who assaulted young girls in Dundee sentenced

Wearing balaclavas to hide their identities, anti-immigration protesters stage a counter-demonstration during an anti-racism rally in Glasgow in June (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell)

Call to ban balaclavas in city centre

Up to 50 officers have been suspended. Picture: John Devlin

50 police officers suspended over alleged crimes against women

Daniel Colrain

Teenager charged over Glasgow man's death

Simone Ramage leaving Edinburgh High Court, following a disposal hearing after being found responsible for killing her partner Brian Kowbel with an air rifle, following an examination of facts hearing, having been deemed unfit to stand trial

Woman given supervision and treatment order for killing partner

Daniel Colrain suffered serious injuries in the incident in Royal Exchange Square, which took place at about 3.05am on Sunday.

Man who died during ‘disturbance’ in central Glasgow named by police

Police Scotland warned that retail crime is not victimless. Picure: Adobe Stock

Children being 'actively recruited' by criminals

Youths wearing balaclavas have become a feared sight in many towns and cities (Picture: Darren Staples)

Soft justice encouraging gangs to entice children into life of crime Scotsman comment

In this situation, the pedestrian has right of way, not the car (Picture: Andrew O'Brien)

Drivers' ignorance of law change is potentially lethal for pedestrians Alastair Dalton

Some may celebrate their early release from prison but others find themselves homeless (Picture: Ben Birchall)

The simple reasons why convicts are so likely to reoffend on release Karyn McCluskey

A police car collided with a red taxi while trying to get the teens to stop

Two teens arrested after Edinburgh police chase ends in crash

Should Scottish government funds help new entrants secure a farming tenancy, asks Lorna McKay

Let’s help young farmers waiting for a break

Complexities can arise in what may seem a straightforward case, says Andrew Gilmour

When a case isn’t as simple as it seems

Get the fine print right and avoid problems down the line (Picture: Adobe)

The reality of a safe contract

Anne Sammon says employers will be able to reject requests only where it is reasonable to do so

How to accommodate requests for change

Georgia Harrison, a former TV personality and campaigner against violence against women and girls, speaks on the final day of the Labour party conference in Liverpool (Picture: Ian Forsyth)

How big tech is driving an 'epidemic' of sexual exploitation of women Susan Dalgety

Kathryn Johnston is an expert on succession planning

Here’s a chance to get succession planning right for everyone

Cash machines ripped from bank wall and loaded into a horsebox in raid

David Gourlay is a Partner, MFMac

Wearable tech can raise data protection issues

Ross Nicol is a Partner, Addleshaw Goddard (Picture: Renzo Mazzolini)

AI is cleary having a major impact, but not every situation is novel

AI can produce flawless emails in seconds, clone a voice from a few seconds of audio, and create convincing video that fools a trained professional on a live call (Picture: stock.adobe.com)

A new front line opens in the cybercrime war

Marcus di Rollo is head of lettings, Gilson Gray

The pitfalls in store for an accidental landlord

A forensic officer carrying a evidence bag containing what is believed to be cannabis after police officers raided a property in Springburn, Glasgow.

Arrests made in police operation targeting alleged human trafficking

Drugs minister Maree Todd may regret claiming that 'we are making progress' as new figures showed an increase in Scotland's drug-deaths (Picture: Andrew Milligan)

Party politics has no place in tackling shameful drug-deaths crisis Scotsman comment

Edinburgh Sheriff Court is perhaps an unlikely place to spend your retirement voluntarily (Picture: Duncan McGlynn)

How pensioners are making a real difference at Edinburgh Sheriff Court Karyn McCluskey

The internet is not a defence to assault Tony Lenehan

Immigration officers recently boarded fishing vessels in Mallaig (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Fishing raid is a wake-up call to Scots employers

Nicole Johnston is a Senior Tax Manager, Turcan Connell (Picture: Peter Devlin)

Don’t get caught out by Making Tax Digital

Police Scotland

Police hunt 'men with weapons' after man seriously hurt in Scots town

William Watson, known locally as Billy, was shot dead at a property in Armadale on Saturday, September 12.

Breaking Murder investigation launched after man shot dead in West Lothian

The victims has been named locally as 35-year-old Billy Watson

Man, 57, arrested over death of West Lothian father Billy Watson

A scene from the award-winning Netflix drama Adolescence, which provided a wake-up call about the spread of dangerous sexist attitudes among some young people

Rise of violence against women requires whole-society response Scotsman comment

Drivers tracked by AI cameras face fines for dropping litter on roads

Vikki Soloman, a 44-year-old aesthetician, was found with serious injuries at her home in East Craigs, Edinburgh, and later pronounced dead. Her ex-partner was arrested in connection with her murder but was found dead in his prison cell

Why Scotland must urgently introduce GPS monitoring of violent men Jackie Baillie

The alleged offences took place on the night train between Glasgow and London

Exclusive Man accused of sex assaults on Caledonian Sleeper

Wearing balaclavas to hide their identities, anti-immigration protesters stage a counter-demonstration during an anti-racism rally in Glasgow in June (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell)

Why young men are drawn to violent, extreme right-wing causes Tom Wood

PC Mark Smith suffered extensive injuries in the attack. Picture: Police Scotland

Officer says part of him 'did not survive' horror attack as duo jailed

Jamie Marshall is an Of Counsel and financial services specialist at CMS

UK must move fast to adopt tokenised funds

A stock image of a Police Scotland officer.

Police officer in hospital after incident involving bladed weapon

Kimberley Mitchell is a Legal Director, Clyde & Co

HSE casts net wider to capture more incidents

Whisky occupies an unusual space between passion, provenence and investment (Picture: David Cheskin/PA Wire)

Who gets the whisky collection when a marriage is over?

Alec Stewart is a Partner at Murray Beith Murray

Charitable giving could soften the impact of pension tax reforms

Scientists have warned about potential risks linked to vanillin, a common flavouring chemical used in e-cigarette liquids.

Directors banned over £15m tax evasion plot involving Chinese vapes

Early prisoner release schemes risk undermining respect for the rule of law (Picture: Dan Kitwood)

SNP must heed warnings about violence, sex and the rule of law Scotsman comment

Linda Patterson was pronounced dead at the scene.

Family pays tribute to woman killed in A8 crash as three charged

The Scotsman Top Stories

Scotland has failed to meet its latest target for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, the latest official figures show. Picture: John Giles/PA Wire

Fail: Scotland misses climate target

Pro-independence protesters with Scottish Saltire flags (top) march for Scottish independence. Picture: Andy Buchanan/AFP via Getty Images

Yousaf: Growing popular support for Yes the only way to Scottish independence

Nadine Dorries. Picture: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

SNP MP cleared of bullying Nadine Dorries