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STV News
2 days ago
- Politics
- STV News
Letter urges Police Scotland to reject 'misogynistic' pregnancy loss investigations
A letter signed by 29 campaign groups has urged Police Scotland to reject 'misogynistic' guidelines that would allow officers to search grieving women for abortion drugs. Women's rights groups, abortion care providers, healthcare bodies, human rights organisations, and trade unions have signed a letter that condemns the UK National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) new guidance on child death investigation. The new guidance allows police to investigate any pregnancy loss, and advises officers to search for 'drugs that can terminate pregnancy' in cases involving stillbirths. This includes allowing searches of mothers' mobile phones if a baby dies unexpectedly in the womb, as well as accessing medical records without a court order. It comes after legislation that would see abortion decriminalised for women terminating their own pregnancies in England and Wales cleared the Commons. MPs voted 312 to 95, majority 217 to approve the Crime and Policing Bill at third reading on Wednesday. With the child death investigation legislation currently only regarding England and Wales, a group of 29 leading civil society and health organisations has written to Chief Constable Jo Farrell, calling on Police Scotland to publicly reject the controversial guidelines. STV News Police Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell has been urged to reject the guidelines. Anti-sexist organisation Engender, which coordinated the letter, calls on the force not to follow the 'deeply intrusive investigations' and instead 'bring the law into the 21st century'. Catherine Murphy, executive director, said: 'Women now find themselves in the perilous situation where the laws governing abortion in Scotland have not kept up with advancements like abortion medicines and reproductive tracking apps. 'Police Scotland, the Crown Office and Scottish Parliament need to act urgently to end the scope for prosecutions and bring the law into the 21st century.' The letter also warns that marginalised communities – including those in poverty, women of colour, disabled women, migrants, young women, LBT+ people, and those in rural areas – would be disproportionately impacted by such investigations. It also reveals that data published last year found that police in Scotland have pursued several abortion related cases in the previous two decades. 'Police Scotland has a choice,' said Jill Wood, Policy Manager at Engender. 'They can follow the lead of health experts and human rights bodies, or they can adopt guidance that will cause demonstrable harm to women in Scotland. We urge them to choose compassion over criminalisation.' Dr Ranee Thakar, president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said any investigations are 'not in the public's best interest'. She said: 'We are very alarmed by the increasing number of women being prosecuted for ending their own pregnancy, including women who have experienced the tragedy of an unexplained pregnancy loss being criminally investigated. 'This is not in the public's best interest. 'The new National Police Chiefs' Council guidance is truly shocking to read. Women in these circumstances have a right to compassionate care and to have their dignity and privacy respected, not to have their homes, phones, computers and health apps searched, or be arrested and interrogated. 'Parliamentarians now have an unmissable opportunity to decriminalise abortion, to ensure women can access abortion safely, confidentially and free from the threat of investigation and prosecution.' Abortion Rights vice chair Judith Orr said: 'It is truly horrifying that women who have suffered the trauma of pregnancy loss are being treated like criminals, with no regard for their right to privacy over their reproductive health. These invasive police actions are being justified by legislation from 1861 – a time when women had no legal autonomy, let alone the right to vote. Signatories to the letter include Engender, Abortion Rights Scotland, Young Women's Movement, Back Off Scotland, Humanist Society Scotland, Close the Gap, Scottish Women's Convention, Scottish Women's Budget Group, Zero Tolerance, Rape Crisis Scotland, Scottish Abortion Care Providers Network, Faculty for Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare Scotland, Amnesty International UK, Scottish Women's Aid, Royal College of Midwives, STUC, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Equality Network, Scottish Trans, Equate Scotland, Human Rights Consortium Scotland, British Pregnancy Advisory Service, Women's Enterprise Scotland, Liberty, Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights, Amma Birth Companions, NUS Scotland, Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE), Inclusion Scotland. Police Scotland has been contacted for comment. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The National
2 days ago
- Health
- The National
Police Scotland urged to reject 'misogynistic' guidance on pregnancy loss
Women's rights and human rights groups have condemned the UK National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) guidance on child death investigation as "disgraceful" and "misogynistic by design." The updated guidance encourages police to carry out what have been branded 'deeply intrusive investigations' into any unexpected pregnancy loss. READ MORE: World-first as new scanner for brain tumour patients trialled in Aberdeen It includes instructions on seizing women's digital devices to examine search histories and fertility app data, as well as advice on accessing medical records without a court order. Earlier this week, the UK Parliament voted to halt criminal sanctions against women for terminating their own pregnancies via backing an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill. However, as this legislation only relates to England and Wales, a lack of clarity remains on whether these guidelines could still apply or be used in Scotland, campaigners say. A group of 29 organisations have now written to Chief Constable Jo Farrell calling on Police Scotland to reject the new guidelines. The executive director of Engender, Catherine Murphy (below), said: 'Women now find themselves in the perilous situation where the laws governing abortion in Scotland have not kept up with advancements like abortion medicines and reproductive tracking apps. (Image: Contributed) 'Police Scotland, the Crown Office and Scottish Parliament need to act urgently to end the scope for prosecutions and bring the law into the 21st century. "The NPCC guidance describes women being targeted as 'criminal suspects' during one of the most sensitive and vulnerable experiences of their lives – pregnancy loss. It's unconscionable." The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists described the guidance as "shocking," and clinicians warn it creates a "climate of fear" among healthcare staff. "Women experiencing pregnancy loss need compassionate care, not criminal investigation," said Dr Sinead Cook, chair of the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare, Scotland Committee. 'These methods violate fundamental rights to dignity, privacy and healthcare." The letter warns that marginalised communities – including those in poverty, women of colour, disabled women, migrants, young women, LBT+ people, and those in rural areas – would be disproportionately impacted by such investigations. "Police Scotland has a choice," said Jill Wood, policy manager at Engender. "They can follow the lead of health experts and human rights bodies, or they can adopt guidance that will cause demonstrable harm to women in Scotland. We urge them to choose compassion over criminalisation." Police Scotland has been approached for comment.
The National
2 days ago
- Health
- The National
Police Scotland urged to reject 'misogynistic' guidance on child death
Women's rights and human rights groups have condemned the UK National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) guidance on child death investigation as "disgraceful" and "misogynistic by design." The updated guidance encourages police to carry out what have been branded 'deeply intrusive investigations' into any unexpected pregnancy loss. READ MORE: World-first as new scanner for brain tumour patients trialled in Aberdeen It includes instructions on seizing women's digital devices to examine search histories and fertility app data, as well as advice on accessing medical records without a court order. Earlier this week the UK Parliament voted to halt criminal sanctions against women for terminating their own pregnancies via backing an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill. However, as this legislation only relates to England and Wales, a lack of clarity remains on whether these guidelines could still apply or be used in Scotland, campaigners say. A group of 29 organisations have now written to Chief Constable Jo Farrell calling on Police Scotland to reject the new guidelines. The executive director of Engender, Catherine Murphy (below), said: 'Women now find themselves in the perilous situation where the laws governing abortion in Scotland have not kept up with advancements like abortion medicines and reproductive tracking apps. (Image: Contributed) 'Police Scotland, the Crown Office and Scottish Parliament need to act urgently to end the scope for prosecutions and bring the law into the 21st century. "The NPCC guidance describes women being targeted as 'criminal suspects' during one of the most sensitive and vulnerable experiences of their lives – pregnancy loss. It's unconscionable." The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists described the guidance as "shocking," and clinicians warn it creates a "climate of fear" among healthcare staff. "Women experiencing pregnancy loss need compassionate care, not criminal investigation," said Dr Sinead Cook, chair of the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare, Scotland Committee. 'These methods violate fundamental rights to dignity, privacy and healthcare." The letter warns that marginalised communities – including those in poverty, women of colour, disabled women, migrants, young women, LBT+ people, and those in rural areas – would be disproportionately impacted by such investigations. "Police Scotland has a choice," said Jill Wood, policy manager at Engender. "They can follow the lead of health experts and human rights bodies, or they can adopt guidance that will cause demonstrable harm to women in Scotland. We urge them to choose compassion over criminalisation." Police Scotland has been approached for comment.
Glasgow Times
11-06-2025
- Glasgow Times
Gun found in Edinburgh as 'gang war' investigation continues
Police uncovered the firearm while carrying out enquiries in the Roseburn Path area of Edinburgh at around 11am this morning (June 11). Officers confirmed the weapon was found as part of Operation Portaledge which is the ongoing investigation into violent incidents which have taken place across the Central Belt in recent months. Cops say "several weapons" have been found so far as part of the operation. READ NEXT: Young man arrested following 'murder bids' amid Glasgow 'gang war' Detective Chief Superintendent David Ferry, of the Specialist Crime Division, said: "A number of weapons have now been recovered as part of this operation. "I hope this latest find helps to reassure the community of our continued resolve to target organised crime. "Extensive enquiries are ongoing and I urge anyone who knows something that could assist with our investigation to please contact to us. "Anyone with information relating to these incidents should speak to Police Scotland on 101 or make a call anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111." READ NEXT: Taxi 'firebombed' on Glasgow street amid ongoing 'gang war' As part of extensive enquiries into a number of linked 'violent incidents', a total of 42 people have been arrested the Glasgow Times reported on June 6. Over the course of the investigation, more than 8000 homes have been visited, and more than 1600 vehicles have been stopped as officers continue to gather information. Last month, Scotland's top police officer Chief Constable Jo Farrell pledged to make Scotland 'a hostile environment for those involved in organised crime' and praised forensics officers 'for their contribution to what is one of our largest ongoing investigations'. She said: 'This month, I provide an overview of disruption and enforcement, including dozens of arrests, in response to targeted attacks in the east and west of Scotland, under Operation Portaledge. 'I want to begin by condemning the actions of those involved and thanking our communities for their support and assistance in making Scotland a hostile environment for those involved in organised crime. "I also want to recognise and thank Scottish Police Authority Forensics for their contribution to what is one of our largest ongoing investigations. 'We'll continue to work with partners at international, national, regional and local levels to clear organised crime, and I want to thank colleagues in local authorities and the Scottish Fire and Rescue for their support. 'A dedicated team from our specialist crime division has been working since March to investigate targeted attacks in both the East and West."
The Herald Scotland
10-06-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Police Scotland doesn't even log the sex of suspects properly
And whilst there are far fewer of them on the roads, a vehicle fleet in which hardly an engine gets the chance to go cold from one end of the day to the next is also likely to have the odd metal-on-metal encounter with others. Paying out for such things is to be expected. If that were the end of it, I suspect the vast majority of us would shrug our shoulders and take a pragmatic view that there wasn't really much to see here. But as with so many things in policing, that is a long way short of the whole story — and the service's approach to dealing with these incidents, and the inevitable questions the payments invite, points to something altogether more concerning. Read more Our police service has wholeheartedly embraced a sackcloth-and-ashes approach to institutional failings of misogyny, racism, and sexism. Our Chief Constable was barely a few hours into the job when she told us all she agreed with her predecessor — who himself had had a Damascene conversion on this just before he retired. Indeed, such was the speed with which Jo Farrell was able to weigh up the evidence for herself that you have to wonder how it took so long for the Branchform inquiry into the SNP finances to come to a close. On top of that, the service is never shy to remind us how it fails the LGB and TQIA+ community, and has apologised for upholding the law as it now seeks to incorporate as many rainbows as possible into life as penance for its past misdeeds. Self-evidently, these kinds of pronouncements grab headlines and create a feeding frenzy of manufactured outrage, as well as cottage industries, pledges, and even more corporate jargon that allows a feeling of righteousness to wash over those at the top. New posters on walls, mandatory re-education for "wrong-think", and countless meetings to give the impression of action — all add to the necessary cleansing, and most crucially of all, serve to distract from the one true failing in the police: that of institutional dishonesty. Informed by the maxim of never asking a question you don't already know the answer to, I recently FOI'd our national service to ask how many policies, procedures, and guidance documents had been changed since Iain Livingstone told us this was where many of the institutional failures lay. Many of the claims made against the service are filed by its own officers, says Calum Steel, a former leader of the Scottish Police Federation (Image: free) Whilst I'm still in the FOI war of attrition awaiting the outcome of an appeal to get the service to properly respond, I already know the answer is none. In fact, the best one deputy chief constable can muster as evidence to support the institutional punishment-beating being meted out is that the resuscitation dummies used to practise first aid skills are all white! Now, that would be funny enough if it were true — but it's hilarious because it is not. The desperation to manufacture evidence to support the claims, and the corporate industry it now sustains, has been there from the get-go. The very day Iain Livingstone rang the bell and shouted "unclean", the service's own equality advisor was in front of the cameras declaring that the data held by the service proved there was a disparity in the service provided to some sections of the community. Cue another FOI to reveal that there was, in fact, no data — but by that time the seeds had been sown and the damage done. Police station closures are met with fantastical claims of improving officer morale and service to the public, while cutting the number of road policing officers is packaged as delivering intelligence-led patrols on targeted routes — even though road deaths are increasing. The shocking state of police morale and ever-increasing sickness rates are body-swerved with pledges that well-being is prioritised, despite HMICS investigations 'finding no recognition or reference to areas of significant stress in any of the work being undertaken in relation to well-being.' And best of all, the decline in the quality of recruits to the service is sold as evidence of a steadfast commitment to standards — despite one in five now failing vetting, against a historic position of one in fifty. Read more You'd like to believe that such a casual relationship with the truth would have some serious consequences for the service, or at least raise the curiosity of its oversight body— but so ingrained is this institutional duplicity that it passes entirely without comment. It is against this backdrop that we have to look at the compensation numbers and ask why it is that the service doesn't give even broad details of what the payments were for. After costing the public purse some £18 million, a smidgen of openness shouldn't be demanded — it should be automatic. The hard truth is, many of the claims made against the service are made by its own officers. If made public, they would point to a service which treats its own people deplorably and is never held to account for doing so — such is the consequence of the confidentiality clauses which accompany nearly all settlements. This is what lies behind the endemic confusion within the service on how to deal with issues of sex and gender, which allows the Chief Constable to say one thing while allowing her officers to do the opposite. It is an abdication of leadership and serves only one purpose: the continuing prioritisation of feelings over facts. Calum Steele is a former General Secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, and former general secretary of the International Council of Police Representative Associations. He remains an advisor to both
