Committee
Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee 03 May 2023
03 May 2023 · S6 · Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee
Item of business
Continued Petitions
Motorcycle Theft (PE1971)
PE1971, on taking robust action to stop motorcycle theft, was lodged by Kenneth Clayton. The petition calls on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to prevent and reduce motorcycle theft by empowering the police to pursue and tactically engage thieves, and by reviewing sentencing policy to allow the courts to implement tougher punishment for those convicted of motorcycle theft, including the use of mandatory custodial sentences for those carrying weapons or groups who threaten individuals with violence. We most recently considered the petition on 21 December, when we agreed to seek information from Police Scotland, the Scottish Police Authority and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. Police Scotland has provided further detail on operation Soteria, which focused on tackling motorcycle theft and related antisocial behaviour across Edinburgh. Police Scotland also shared information on the work that its prevention, interventions and partnership team, in collaboration with others, is taking forward on the issue, which members will have read with interest. The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service noted that there is no specific common-law offence of theft of a motorcycle but that it had used its database to identify 47 charges related to motorcycle theft over the past five years. Interestingly, it also noted that 32 per cent of the relevant police reports originated from the Edinburgh area, where operation Soteria was in place. The Scottish Police Authority’s response mentions that recent reports highlight an overall increase in vehicle crime but that that is not specifically attributed to motorcycle theft. The SPA also noted that, in the past year, more than 1,800 motorcycle riders have been stopped in order to engage, educate and encourage what are described as appropriate attitudes and behaviours on the road. Do members have any comments or suggestions for action?
In the same item of business
The Convener
Con
PE1971, on taking robust action to stop motorcycle theft, was lodged by Kenneth Clayton. The petition calls on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish G...
Fergus Ewing
SNP
I suggest that we write to the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service to seek information on the outcomes of the 47 prosecutions that are referenced in the re...
The Convener
Con
Is that advice being given only to motorcyclists or to tourists in general?
Fergus Ewing
SNP
Our notes indicate that some sort of tourist advisory group has given advice that riders should avoid travelling to Edinburgh. That is quite serious. None of...
The Convener
Con
Are members content for the committee to write to the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service to establish what happened in relation to the prosecutions? Foys...
Foysol Choudhury
Lab
I apologise for coming in late. I was stuck in the car park.
The Convener
Con
Not on a motorcycle, I trust. Laughter.
Foysol Choudhury
Lab
No. I have had quite a lot of cases of motorcycle theft. Can we ask how many of those who have committed that crime are waiting to go to court and how long t...
The Convener
Con
What would be the best way to frame that question? Should we ask the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service that question at the same time as we make the inqu...