The national police service for Scotland, formed in 2013
Police Scotland says inquiries are at a very early stage following information received about visits to Balmoral; UK forces are reviewing Epstein-related materials. Reports link alleged trafficking claims to the king’s private Aberdeenshire estate as US documents surface.
Police are investigating a series of targeted shootings across Scotland and northern England. The incidents, reported between Oct. 18 and Oct. 28, have left one injured and prompted a broad appeal for dashcam and CCTV footage. Authorities are treating the cases as targeted attacks and remain on high alert.
An 11‑year‑old girl has been found dead in the Gore Water at Gore Glen Woodland Park near Gorebridge after a search on Thursday, 6 August. Police Scotland has said the death is being treated as unexplained and inquiries are ongoing; a post‑mortem has been scheduled and a report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal.
Scottish Green MSP Q Manivannan has faced widespread condemnation after saying rape is a spectrum, prompting apologies and calls for leadership from Green co-leaders. The comments, made in a podcast last year, are being revisited as survivors’ groups reiterate there is no hierarchy of rape and demand accountability.
The Pembrokeshire case from 1976 remains unresolved as Dyfed-Powys Police say artefacts and DNA are degraded. A family member calls the review ‘shell-shocked’ and vows to push the Attorney General if the original verdict stands.
Sachie Mikawa, a Japanese‑American performer, says a treasured Bach Stradivarius trumpet and a vintage melodica have been stolen from the Rotunda Theatre during the Edinburgh Fringe. The loss follows the death of her father and a difficult year, forcing cancellations as police investigate and searches continue.
Police investigations into the May Celtic title celebrations disorder have led to multiple arrests across Glasgow and surrounding areas. Investigations continue as officers say they will bring more suspects to justice following clashes that left officers injured and members of the public hospitalised.
The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service has warned that average wait times for High Court indictments could rise to about 135 weeks by 2028/29 as crime rates and case complexity grow. Expansion of venues is planned, and digital reforms are sought to cut delays, but funding remains essential.
A guest is feared to have fallen overboard from the Ambassador Ambition during a Solar Eclipse Cruise. Lifeboats, coastguard crews and other responders are conducting a wide search as the vessel, which had been sailing from Lerwick to Dundee, has docked in the Scottish city. Next of kin have been informed and inquiries are ongoing.
Several vessels were involved in emergencies off Scotland’s west coast over two days. A man overboard and a bomb threat led to evacuations at Ardrossan harbour on the MV Caledonian Isles, with 329 people disembarking and a police search. Latest updates indicate ongoing safety protocols and cancellations of remaining sailings.
Graeme Dott has been found guilty of two counts of lewd, indecent and libidinous behaviour toward a girl and a boy, with sentencing set for September. World Snooker has revoked his membership and he faces removal from Hall of Fame.
The Lockerbie bombing case has new developments as U.S. prosecutors disclose evidence prompting defense review; jury selection in Abu Agila Masud Kheir Al-Marimi's trial is postponed with a January start date anticipated. Scottish prosecutors reaffirm their pursuit of justice.
The blaze at the former Debenhams building has led to seven weeks of disruption in Edinburgh. Princes Street has reopened to pedestrians and traffic as bus and tram services resume along the corridor. Officials say the work to secure the site is complete and the city is focusing on recovery and support for affected businesses.
Multiple road incidents have left two men dead this week. In Newcastle-under-Lyme, a 20-year-old man died from a stab wound after a crash on Orme Road; three males aged 19, 22 and 20 have been arrested on suspicion of murder or conspiracy. In Scotland, a 57-year-old man died following a collision near Pennan on the B9031; Police Scotland is appealing for information.
A 16-year-old, Kenzie Carmichael, has died after collapsing near The Boathouse on Nith Avenue in Dumfries. Police say there are no suspicious circumstances and are appealing for information from those in the area. The teenager had recently left St Joseph’s College to pursue further education.
Big changes to England and Wales’ criminal justice system are moving forward as overcrowding drives policy decisions. Government plans to accelerate prison construction and expand early release schemes have been revised after public backlash and safety concerns. Officials are also deporting foreign prisoners and reviewing IPP sentences to free up space, with new measures to monitor released prisoners.
Scotland is expanding GPS tracking and bail monitoring as part of a government push to tackle misogyny and violence against women. The measures include potential exclusion zones around victims’ homes or workplaces and faster police responses when conditions are breached.
A derelict Glasgow tenement has been renovated into affordable housing. A blaze on Stonyhurst Street sparked online rumours that the flats would host asylum seekers; authorities say the claims are false. Investigations continue, with no injuries reported.
A multi-vehicle crash on the A8 near Ingliston has left a 58-year-old woman dead. Police are searching for three people who fled the scene on foot. The road was closed for nearly 10 hours as officers investigated the collision.
Four women describe how drug gangs exploited them from adolescence, using grooming and violence. They allege authorities failed to protect them, and a government inquiry into drug gangs is underway.
Protesters at Glasgow Green face counter-demonstrators as Pink Ladies rally triggers police deployment. Leaders warn of a strong response to violence; officials stress peaceful protests and safety.
Belgian hiker Hector Patemore has not returned from a planned route in the Cuillin Mountains. He was last seen leaving Glen Brittle Youth Hostel on Sunday morning and is described as white, 6ft 4in, slim with a shaved head. Police Scotland are appealing for information as concerns for his wellbeing grow.
British nationals arrested abroad for drug smuggling have surged, according to government figures. Since 2023, arrests rose from about 80 to over 340 in 2025, with cannabis from Thailand and Southeast Asia driving the spike. Authorities warn of harsh penalties and dangerous conditions for those detained. A separate case in Australia involves two Britons charged with large-scale drug distribution.
Highland Council faces a no‑confidence vote after disputes over licensing for David Brown, the driver jailed for sexually assaulting a passenger. Five councillors are under scrutiny for allowing him to keep an operator’s licence; the debate has split parties and sparked resignations. A by‑election will follow in Wick and East Caithness.
Billy Watson, 35, died on 12 September at a property on Harestanes Road, Armadale. Three men have appeared in court charged with murder and attempting to defeat the ends of justice. Police say inquiries are ongoing and a fourth arrest has been made.
Scotland has the highest drug-deaths rate in Europe, with 1,133 drug-related deaths in 2025. The government has described the rise as unacceptable and intolerable and is pursuing harm-reduction measures, including decriminalisation in some form. Westminster controls drugs policy, limiting Scotland’s options. Leaders across parties are calling for action and accountability as the issue remains a central political flashpoint.
The SPFL has reduced ticket allocations for Aberdeen and warned Celtic and Rangers following incidents at recent cup ties. Police injuries were reported and appeals and hearings are set as clubs contest sanctions amid ongoing investigation into the events.
The Royal Scottish Academy showcases work drawn from grants awarded over 26 years, highlighting artists who have benefited from its funding since the early 2000s. The exhibition, titled 26, travels through decades of Scottish art, featuring pieces that reflect social and political themes, including Ben Quinn's politically charged works and Paloma Proudfoot’s provocative installation.
The Scottish Legal Aid Board has stopped funding Peter Murrell’s legal defence following new questions about his finances. Murrell, the ex-SNP chief executive and ex-husband of Nicola Sturgeon, has been jailed for five years for embezzling over £400,000. The latest figures show 99,265 legal-aid approvals in 2025/26 with 29 withdrawn, and 1,307 refused.
A fatal road crash on Friday near Coulnagower has left one person dead and two others injured. Police are investigating the incident, appealing for dashcam footage and witnesses to help establish the full circumstances.
Daniel Colrain, 21, suffered serious injuries in Royal Exchange Square; he died in hospital. A 19-year-old man has been charged; another 20-year-old is also linked to the disturbance. Police say inquiries remain ongoing and a dedicated information portal is in place.
Reform UK has tabled a motion on face coverings in public, sparking a high‑stakes debate in Holyrood. Critics say the move weaponises women’s lives and risks inflaming divisions, while supporters argue restrictions may boost public safety and cohesion. Protests are planned outside the Parliament as MSPs weigh the issue of burkas and niqabs in public spaces.
A 17-year-old has died after a disturbance on Ashgill Road. A 22-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with the incident. Police are treating the death as murder and are appealing for information as enquiries continue.
A wave of convictions against Police Scotland officers for sexual and physical abuse spans 2014–2023. The courts have handed down sentences, with one officer receiving 12 years in prison and others facing lengthy terms. The cases highlight a crisis of confidence and emphasize the need for reforms in policing.
Threatening messages claiming a bomb was placed in hundreds of schools have been sent to dozens of schools across Scotland and Northern Ireland. Police say the threats are being treated as hoaxes and investigations are under way. Several Edinburgh schools evacuated; some remain in disruption as pupils return from autumn breaks.
The Guardian and BBC report that Jack Ross, then-CEO of Turning Point UK, has been suspended as police review undercover footage to determine potential criminality. Al Jazeera’s investigation alleges Ross offered to broker services of killers and discussed connections to a Glasgow contact and a Zimbabwe-related operation.
Emergency services are continuing a search for a missing person after high winds and rough seas linked to Storm Boelo disrupted Scotland and the west of Scotland. Several people have died, and schools and transport remain affected as warnings stay in place.
Police Scotland has deployed thousands of officers from 18 forces in a coordinated Operation Amberlight for November 5, amid football and protest risks. Firework Control Zones will ban pyrotechnics in Edinburgh and Glasgow, part of Moonbeam’s safety drive.