News

28 February 2008
SCOTTISH POLICE RECOGNISE NEED FOR SERVICE THAT MEETS THE NEEDS OF AN AGEING POPULATION

BY 2024, it is projected that 44 per cent of Scotland’s adult population will be aged 50 or over with 11 percent aged 75 or over.

“That is a significant number of people in our communities,” said Chief Constable  Ian Latimer (Northern Constabulary), Chair of the ACPOS Diversity Business Area.

“The Association and the Scottish Police Service recognise that the particular needs in terms of policing may, at times, be different for older persons.”

To that end, the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland is launching its ‘Older Persons’ Strategy’ that looks at older persons’ and the police’s aspirations and expectations for the future.

“To put the strategy in context,” Mr. Latimer explained, “in 2004, 35 percent of the adult population was aged 50 or over with seven percent aged 75 or over.”

The projected growth in percentages can be attributed the numbers of people born after 1974 reaching 50 years of age and those born after 1949 reaching 75 years of age.

These figures will have an impact on the demand for policing services; consequently, ACPOS and the Scottish Police are gearing up for this by renewing this component of its Diversity strategy based on communication, engagement and addressing the needs of older people.

ACPOS believes that older people are a growing, valued and respected part of communities whose contributions are accepted as an integral part of Scottish society.

Chief Constable Latimer continued:

“Some of the issues that affect our policing service delivery to this group are: access to services and barriers to such access, including rurality and mobility; communication at all levels, utilising all media to enhance engagement with older people; and, the need to take into greater consideration any physical, sensory or mental impairment that older persons may have.”

Scottish Police will work with its partners, both local and national, to promote activity which will ensure older people are supported, protected and involved.  The Association’s strategy has a multi-pronged approach to realise its intentions backed by an action plan that will provide a framework of developmental activity.

Speaking ahead of the launch, Minister for Community Safety Fergus Ewing said:

“One of the key goals of the document which is being launched today is ‘to ensure that policing in Scotland provides for, and supports, older people through communication, engagement, and addresses their needs’.

“That is central to what we should be doing for older people across Scotland and, indeed, for all people across Scotland.  This government is committed to supporting the police service to provide that reassuring and visible presence.  We’re investing £94 million to deliver a more visible policing presence on Scotland’s streets by making an additional 1,000 officers available in our communities.

“Policing for older people will help to build confidence, and I congratulate ACPOS for their foresight in seeking to address the specific needs of older people through what I hope will be a warmly welcomed initiative.”