An IT system designed to track the performance of Scottish police forces is two years behind schedule, according to a report in the Scotsman.

The Performance Platform IT system, which is being built by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS) and the Scottish Police Service Authority, is designed "to allow performance data from all forces to be accessible for interrogation and comparison across Scotland". A report from ACPOS said it typically takes seven months for performance data from the various forces to be compiled and validated for comparison.

The project was proposed in 2007 and was originally due for completion in 2010, but it is still not finished. “There have been technical delays with the introduction of the system, but elements of it are in place and under testing", ACPOS told the newspaper.

The total estimated cost of the project was £8.4 million. Around 65% of that (£5.4 million) was provided by Scotland’s Efficient Government Fund, with the remaining cost falling to the individual police forces. According to the Scotsman, ACPOS figures reveal that it has spent £6.7 million on the project so far.

ACPOS says that it is currently reviewing whether the project still "fits with the requirements of the Police Service of Scotland".