Guidance
Welcome to the Advice and Information section of the Police Scotland website. Here you'll find information to help keep you, your family and friends safe.
Age of Criminal Responsibility Act
This new Scottish Government legislation was implemented on 17 December 2021. Watch the simple animation produced by ScotGov, to find out more.
Air Support Unit
Information about out use of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems.
Business advice
This section features advice for businesses, including security tips, crime advice and safety information for private hire taxis.
Child abuse
A section with information about child abuse, how to report it, advice for perpetrators, identifying the signs and real life examples.
Counter terrorism
Find out more in this section how to spot and report suspicious behaviour, what you should do in the event of a weapons attack and information about Project Servator.
Domestic abuse
A section with information about domestic abuse, how to report if you or someone you you know is a victim, support you can receive and a message to perpetrators.
Drugs (harm prevention)
Information about drugs, staying safe, penalties for drug offences and New Psychoactive Substances.
Hate crime
Information on hate crimes and hate incidents. What you can do if you, or someone you know, is a victim.
Honour Based Abuse and Forced Marriage
This section contains information about Honour Based Abuse and Forced Marriage and how to report it if you, or someone you know, is a victim.
Human trafficking
Information about human trafficking, how to spot the signs and report it.
Internet safety
The internet safety section features advice on a range of different online topics including romance fraud, sextortion, social media, internet dating, cybercrime, online shopping and keeping safe online.
Keep Safe scheme
Information about the Keep Safe scheme which works with businesses and community buildings to create a network of safe places for the vulnerable and scared.
Livestock attacks and worrying
Information and advice about livestock worrying and attacks, what Police Scotland are doing about it and what the law says.
Major events
Information to help you safe at festivals, football matches and other major events.
Online student safety guide
An online safety guide for students covering scams, phishing, frauds and support for victims.
Prostitution
We want to ensure people, and communities, are safe. This includes people involved in prostitution. Find out more and how you can report a crime.
Rape and sexual crime
Information about rape and sexual crime including how to report and what help is available.
Road safety
Information relating to road safety, including winter road safety advice, how to protect your bike/car and information for new drivers.
Safe nights out
Information about keeping safe on a night out, meeting new people and not becoming a victim a crime.
Scams and frauds
In this section you will find information on different types of fraud. You will find advice on how you can try to avoid becoming a victim.
Stalking
Information about stalking, advice for victims and how to can report unwanted behaviour.
Victims and Witnesses
Police Scotland recognises the importance of informing victims and witnesses of crime about the support available to them, and how to access this support.
Your home
Information relating to your home and garden with safety information to protecting your house and garden.
Your valuables
Information about looking after your valuables, mobile phone and luggage.
Your bike
Information about keeping your bike safe when out and about, and at home.
VIPER
If you are a witness or have been the victim of a crime, you may be asked to take part in an identification parade. Learn more about Video Identification Parade Electronic Recording, known as VIPER.