Online crime reports to Police Scotland disappear due to website fault for a second time

Any crimes reported to Police Scotland through its website in the late afternoon on Friday have not been received after a technical fault hit the service for the second time in three months.

The force said it was aware of the problem that saw enquiries and reports submitted through online reporting forms between 3pm and 6pm on Friday disappear instead of being received at service centres.

Assistant chief constable Emma Bond urged anyone who used the online forms to resubmit so they can be dealt with.

The online process is for non-emergencies which can also be submitted over the phone on 101.

Police Scotland said messages have been received as normal since 6pm on Friday and that there is “nothing to suggest an ongoing fault” – the same reassurance given when a technical issue caused the service to lose crime reports during a 15-hour period in September.

ACC Bond said the force was taking the matter “very seriously” and was working to try and prevent it from reoccurring.

The force said the issue was at a third party which hosts the Police Scotland website.

ACC Bond said: “Issues with an external supplier resulted in a fault with our online reporting system.

“We are taking this matter very seriously and are working with the supplier to put measures in place to significantly reduce the risk of this happening again.

“I would encourage anyone who sent a message through our online non-emergency reporting forms during this time to resubmit them if you have not received a response.

“This can be done online via the Police Scotland website or by calling Police Scotland on 101. In an emergency situation you should always call 999.”