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Holyrood’s 42 unsolved crimes

Vandals and thieves defy security system
Holyrood spent £6.5 million on a new security centre
Holyrood spent £6.5 million on a new security centre
CORBIS

Police are investigating a series of crimes committed at the Scottish parliament.

Figures have revealed that dozens of offences have occurred at the Holyrood building in Edinburgh over the past two years, with the majority of them going unsolved.

Officers have been called in to investigate a range of allegations including theft, malicious damage, the sending of offensive emails and possession of drugs.

The figures have been revealed by Police Scotland in response to a freedom of information request. They show that of the 51 crimes that took place at the parliament since the start of 2013, 42 remain unsolved.

The offences include 37 thefts, six instances of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner, and five cases of vandalism. The thefts were carried out despite parliament officials spending millions of pounds on security measures to deter crooks.

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John Lamont, the Scottish Conservatives’ chief whip, said: “It is obviously concerning that so many crimes are being committed within the Scottish parliament.

“We must have robust security measures in place, so the highest possible vetting and checks are carried out on all new staff.”

Most of the cases of theft involved property belonging to MSPs, their staff or Scottish parliament staff.

Items stolen included cash, mobile phones, keys, a pair of trainers and a box of biscuits.

Police Scotland has a Scottish parliament police unit with a dedicated officer stationed at the building.

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The £414 million building operates an airport-style scan and frisk system on visitors, and two years ago a security extension costing £6.5 million was opened.