HC Deb 17 July 1985 vol 83 cc174-6W
48. Mr. Hirst

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland how many cases of alleged police assaults were reported to procurators fiscal in each of the past five years; and how many resulted in successful prosecution.

The Solicitor-General for Scotland:

The number of cases of alleged assault by police officers reported to procurators fiscal or regional procurators fiscal is not available. The following table shows the number of such cases reported by regional procurators fiscal to Crown Office for consideration of proceedings, and their outcome:

Number of Cases Number of Persons Prosecuted Number Convicted
1980 278 17 N/A
1981 278 17 N/A
1982 317 28 N/A
1983 366 16 5
1984 428 12 1
N/A=not available

General statistics of complaints against the police, which however draw no distinction between alleged

assaults and other forms of alleged misconduct, are available in the annual reports in the Library of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary.