Scotland police halt investigation of over 12,000 crimes

Police in Scotland have stopped investigating over 12,000 crimes, citing budget cuts and reduced manpower. This decision affects minor offenses without leads, such as missing items, and aims to allow officers to focus on more serious cases. Senior officers claim this approach has freed up significant police hours, but critics argue it leaves communities vulnerable. They express concern that the policy may discourage the public from reporting crimes, as many victims did not respond to surveys about the changes. Police Scotland maintains that every crime report is assessed individually. They emphasize that the policy only applies to minor crimes with no leads, aiming to manage resources effectively while still addressing public safety.