All incidents that are reported to Police Scotland are individually assessed on the basis of threat, harm and risk, investigative opportunity and vulnerability. To suggest otherwise is incorrect. When there is no threat, harm or risk and no line of inquiry, officers will issue the caller with a crime report number and file the incident, with scope to return to it should investigative opportunities emerge.

Police Scotland confirmed to the Scottish Police Authority in June that the proportionate response to crime approach has been adopted across all divisions as of 24 June. That is an operational decision for the service, similar to many forces in England, and the SPA will receive an evaluation report in December.