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Continuing on that theme, chief constable, you have mentioned court delays being a major factor in retraumatising survivors and victims. However, you will know very well—because I am sure that the situation is similar in other parts of the UK—that, historically, victims’ experiences of police services in the context of violence against women and girls have been poor. I appreciate that a whole raft of work is being done, but how will you evaluate whether women are finding the service more supportive and effective? What thought have you given to whether the changes are working?

Thank you. That is helpful. Members of this committee are often frustrated that we sometimes have difficulty in getting data shared with us. I very much hope that, as somebody new in the post of chief constable, you would want to work closely with this committee. Many of us were pleased that a woman was appointed for the first time, and we want to have a strong relationship with you all. Could you share that evaluation with us on an on-going basis so that we can see whether there is an improvement in victims’ experience?

In your opening statement, there was a lot of mention of change. For a lot of people, that will ring alarm bells, because change often means cuts. You have said that £2 billion has already been saved as a result of the creation of Police Scotland, but you have also outlined a number of difficulties with new systems that are partly related to the creation of Police Scotland, including body-worn cameras. It is not a one-way street. There are problems, obviously, and a lot of resources have gone into the reorganisation.

Do you accept that there is a big gulf between what the public expect from the police and what senior management thinks are the correct models? Many people are hugely frustrated that there seems to be less police visibility in their communities. When people phone the police, perhaps for what the police see as a routine matter, they do not get the response that they want. That is not necessarily just down to police numbers, although there is a big political fight over police numbers.

We understand from the most recent announcement that 29 police stations are under threat, is that part of a continuing programme, and will there be further announcements that police stations will close? Will you give a bit more detail on that? I understand that some of the estate is old and might not be fit for purpose. It might be that new facilities will be built or repurposed, whether that is through co-location or in another way. Will you give us a bit more detail about the programme?

There is a consultation, so you will keep us closely advised.

You mentioned the voluntary severance scheme for civilian staff. We know that there have previously been a lot of redundancies for civilian staff. Often the jobs of support staff go rather than those of officers. Obviously, that has a massive knock-on effect in the system. Can you give us more information about that scheme and tell us exactly who will be impacted and the number of people who will be affected?

If you know who you need, you must have a view on who you do not need.

Sure. In terms of—

I want to ask about the subject of drug consumption rooms. What will be your approach to the policing of the proposed drug consumption room pilots?

What is your understanding of how many of those 29 stations will be replaced? In broad terms, how many will no longer be a facility such as that in the community?

What kind of jobs do you envisage will go, if they are not in control rooms?

What you have said is helpful, but it also points out that it is possible to do such research. That has not happened in the lead up—

Right, so that is one of the reasons why—