Agenda Document Pack - Police and Fire and Rescue Committee - 26/02/2024
North Ayrshire Council · 26 February 2024
Back to Police and Fire and Rescue Committee — 26 February 2024 and its agenda
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North Ayrshire Council, Cunninghame House, Irvine KA12 8EE Police and Fire and Rescue Committee A Meeting of the Police and Fire and Rescue Committee of North Ayrshire Council will be held in the Council Chambers, Ground Floor, Cunninghame House, Irvine, KA12 8EE on Monday, 26 February 2024 at 14:00 to consider the undernoted business. Meeting Arrangements - Hybrid Meetings This meeting will be held on a predominantly physical basis but with provision, by prior notification, for remote attendance by Elected Members in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 2003. Where possible, the meeting will be live-streamed and available to view at https://north-ayrshire.public- i.tv/core/portal/home. 1 Declarations of Interest Members are requested to give notice of any declarations of interest in respect of items of business on the Agenda. 2 Minutes The accuracy of the Minutes of the meeting held on 13 November 2023 will be confirmed and the Minutes signed in accordance with Paragraph 7 (1) of Schedule 7 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (copy enclosed). 3 Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Performance and Service Update Submit report by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service on performance in relation to the North Ayrshire Local Fire and Rescue Plan (copy enclosed). 4 Police Scotland Performance Update Submit report by Police Scotland on performance in relation to the North Ayrshire Local Policing Plan (copy enclosed). 1
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North Ayrshire Council, Cunninghame House, Irvine KA12 8EE 5 Update Reports: Operation Moonbeam Submit update reports on Operation Moonbeam (copy enclosed). 6 Urgent Items Any other items which the Chair considers to be urgent. Webcasting Please note: this meeting may be filmed/recorded/live-streamed to the Council's internet site and available to view at https://north-ayrshire.public- i.tv/core/portal/home, where it will be capable of repeated viewing. At the start of the meeting, the Provost/Chair will confirm if all or part of the meeting is being filmed/recorded/live-streamed. You should be aware that the Council is a Data Controller under the Data Protection Act 2018. Data collected during the webcast will be retained in accordance with the Council’s published policy, including, but not limited to, for the purpose of keeping historical records and making those records available via the Council’s internet site. Generally, the press and public seating areas will not be filmed. However, by entering the Council Chambers, using the press or public seating area or (by invitation) participating remotely in this meeting, you are consenting to being filmed and consenting to the use and storage of those images and sound recordings and any information pertaining to you contained in them for webcasting or training purposes and for the purpose of keeping historical records and making those records available to the public. If you do not wish to participate in a recording, you should leave the meeting. This will constitute your revocation of consent. If you have any queries regarding this and, in particular, if you believe that use and/or storage of any particular information would cause, or be likely to cause, substantial damage or distress to any individual, please contact dataprotectionofficer@north-ayrshire.gov.uk. 2
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North Ayrshire Council, Cunninghame House, Irvine KA12 8EE Police and Fire and Rescue Committee Sederunt Donald Reid (Chair) Scott Davidson Stewart Ferguson John Glover Amanda Kerr Jean McClung Davina McTiernan Donald L. Reid Angela Stephen John Sweeney Chair: Apologies: Attending: 3
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Police and Fire and Rescue Committee 13 November 2023 At a Meeting of the Police and Fire and Rescue Committee of North Ayrshire Council at 2.00 p.m. involving a combination of participation by remote electronic means and physical attendance within the Council Chambers, Irvine. Present (Physical Participation) Donald Reid, Stewart Ferguson, Jean McClung, Davina McTiernan, Donald L. Reid and John Sweeney. In Attendance R. Lynch, Senior Manager Legal Services, C. Cochrane, Solicitor (Legal Services) and H. Clancy and D. McCaw, Committee Services Officers (Chief Executive’s Service). Also In Attendance Chief Superintendent R. Higgins, Chief Inspector F. Normansell and Sergeant W. Hutchison (Police Scotland); Area Commander I. McMeekin, Watch Commander D. Wilson and Chaplin Father J. Thomson (Scottish Fire and Rescue Service); and D. Young, His Majesty’s Fire Service Inspectorate. Chair Councillor Donald Reid in the Chair. Apologies Scott Davidson, John Glover, Nairn McDonald and Angela Stephen. 1. Declarations of Interest There were no declarations of interest by Members in terms of Standing Order 11 and Section 5 of the Code of Conduct for Councillors. 2. Minutes The Minutes of the Meeting of the Police and Fire and Rescue Committee held on 14 August 2023 were confirmed and the Minutes signed in accordance with Paragraph 7 (1) of Schedule 7 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973. 3. Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Performance and Service Update Submitted report by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) which provided information on progress against the North Ayrshire Local Fire and Rescue Plan for the period 1 April 2023 – 30 September 2023. Appendix A to the report provided an analysis of the performance across six indicators, using the rolling three-year average as a basis of measuring performance. Appendix B detailed the Pre- Budget Scrutiny report submitted to the Scottish Parliament Criminal Justice Committee. Agenda Item 2 5
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The statistical information identified a 0.7% increase in activity levels across the local authority when compared to the previous fiscal reporting period. A further review of activity over the rolling three years average indicated a 12.2% decrease in operational demand over the recording period. Data on false alarms accounted for 57.7% of all demand within North Ayrshire, with fire related and special service activity accounting for 27.9% and 14.4% respectively. Additional contextual information was provided by Area Commander McMeekin to the meeting. Updates were also provided in relation to attendance at the Scottish Parliament Criminal Justice Committee’s Pre-Budget Scrutiny meeting, the recent Fire Safety Awareness Event, collaboration with partners to identify unoccupied and derelict buildings to mitigate the risks of deliberate fire setting, the expansion in the delivery of educational activities into the Dreghorn Community Fire Station to support key aspects of the educational curriculum, and attacks on SFRS personnel in the lead up to Guy Fawkes/Bonfire Night. The Committee was also advised that a review of the current Local Fire Plan, in line with legislation, would be submitted for consideration and comment at a future date. Members asked questions and were provided with further information in relation to:- • any anticipated impact on service provision arising from the temporary removal of 5 second or third appliances from multi-pump stations across the West of Scotland; • staffing implications arising from the 2023 savings plan and budget provision; • the high instances of accidental dwelling fires related to cooking and distraction, notably in the Saltcoats and Stevenston area; • ongoing work to reduce the number of unwanted fire alarm signals, with an evaluation over a six-month period being submitted to the Committee once available; • any trends concerning deliberate fire setting in the Irvine West and Saltcoats and Stevenston areas; • ongoing partnership work to reduce deliberate fire setting; • the breakdown and classification of fire service activity within a 24-hour time period; • the ongoing relevance of home fire safety visits following the introduction of legislation around linked fire alarm systems; and • retained duty system contracts and response times. The Committee agreed to note (i) the content of the report and (ii) that a review of the current Local Fire Plan would be submitted to a future meeting for consideration and comment. 4. Police Scotland Performance Update Submitted report by Police Scotland on performance in relation to the North Ayrshire Local Policing Plan for the period 1 April 2023 – 30 September 2023. A summary of current local policing plan priorities was also detailed. 6
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The report provided information on North Ayrshire’s performance, including a 6% increase in the total number of crimes. The report further outlined progress in the areas of serious crime, violence against women and girls, safer communities, community wellbeing, road safety and public confidence, with additional contextual information provided by Chief Superintendent Higgins to the meeting. Members asked questions and were provided with further information in relation to:- • any identified trends concerning anti social behaviour arising from high profile visits to licences premises; • the reduction in late hours opening venues across North Ayrshire and the overall downward trend in relation to violence in town centres; • clarification on domestic abuse cases and follow up in terms of support available for victims; • multi-agency work to engage with vulnerable community members with serious mental ill-health; • the response by Police Scotland to any call identifying threat, risk or harm and immediate concern for the safety of any individual; • reciprocal arrangements in place when dealing with major events across North Ayrshire and the wider Greater Glasgow area; • the use of tasers and firearms by Police Scotland during the last period under review; • the low response to the public confidence survey and the forthcoming effort to encourage public engagement; and • the future implementation of enhanced communication methods in terms of methods of contact for members of the public. The Committee was then provided with verbal updates from Police Scotland and the Fire and Rescue Service in relation to the recent joint working arrangements in place with the Council to tackle early identification of illegal bonfire locations to ensure that materials at some sites could be safely removed. Progress to tackle illegal bonfires would be assisted by ongoing work to determine whether to designate any areas as Firework Control Zones in terms of new legislation. Recent attacks on both Police Scotland and SFRS emergency personnel were also highlighted and Police Scotland advised instances would be reported within the next period’s statistics. The Chair advised that updates on Operation Moonbeam by Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Streetscene, including information detailing joint working arrangements to tackle attacks on emergency personnel, should be submitted to the next meeting for consideration. The Committee agreed (a) that updates on Operation Moonbeam by Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Streetscene, including information detailing joint working arrangements to tackle attacks on emergency personnel, should be submitted to the next meeting for consideration; and (b) otherwise, to note the content of the report. The meeting ended at 4.00 p.m. 7
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North Ayrshire Performance Report 1st April 2023 - 31st December 2023 Agenda Item 3 9
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North Ayrshire Performance Report Table of Contents Local Fire and Rescue Service Plan Priorities 3 North Ayrshire Activity Summary 4 Domestic Safety - Accidental Dwelling Fires 5 Domestic Safety - Accidental Dwelling Fire Casualties 6 Unintentional Injury and Harm 7 Deliberate Fire Setting 8 Non-Domestic Fire Safety 9 Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals 10 Prevention & Protection 11 Retained Duty System 11 Scottish Fire and Rescue Service | North Ayrshire Performance Report 2 10
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12 0 8 43 2 14 2 0 0 0 0 29 7 1 15 38 2 49 5 0 3 9 0 2 9 0 10 38 2 53 12 3 1 81 6 115 8 0 7 32 3 45 11 0 12 25 6 29 22 0 7 113 6 54 88 4 63 379 27 390 2% -20% -7% -7% 23% -30% -3% -32% 2% 2% 14% -5% -6% -29% -17% -7% -8% -4% Local Fire and Rescue Service Plan Priorities Irvine West Kilwinning Accidental Dwelling Fires Accidental Dwelling Fire Casualties Unintentional Injury and Harm Deliberate Fire Setting Non-Domestic Fire Safety Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals Ardrossan Arran Garnock Valley Irvine East Irvine South 5 Year Average Change North Coast Saltcoats and Stevenston Total Incidents Year on Year Change 3 Year Average Change The Local Fire and Rescue Service Plan has been developed to set out the priorities and objectives withinNorthAyrshire and allows our local authority partners to scrutinise the performance outcomes of these priorities. We will continue to work closely with our partners in North Ayrshire to ensure we are all “Working Together for a Safer Scotland” through targeting risks to our communities at a local level. The plan has been developed to complement key partnership activity embedded across North Ayrshire'sCommunity Planning Partnership. Through effective and co-ordintated partnership working we will seek to deliver continuous improvement in our performance and effective service delivery in our area of operations. The Local Fire and Rescue Plan for North Ayrshire identified six areas for demand reduction and is subject to regular monitoring and reporting through the Police & Fire and Rescue Committee. A summary of the priorities and current activity is detailed below with further detail and analysis contained within this performance report. About the statistics within this report The activity totals and other statistics quoted within this report are published in the interests of transparency and openness. They are provisional in nature and subject to change as a result of ongoing quality assurance and review. Because all statistics quoted are provisional there may be a difference in the period totals quoted in our reports after local publication which result from revisions or additions to the data in our systems. The Scottish Government publishes official statistics each year which allow for comparisons to be made over longer periods of time. Activity levels have reduced by more than 5% Activity levels have reduced by up to 5% Activity levels have increased overall Scottish Fire and Rescue Service | North Ayrshire Performance Report 3 11
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North Ayrshire Delivery Activity Summary Hour (am) Total Hour (pm) Total Midnight 50 Mid-day 112 1am 45 1pm 99 2am 32 2pm 113 3am 36 3pm 120 4am 31 4pm 119 5am 25 5pm 163 6am 30 6pm 146 7am 33 7pm 154 8am 95 8pm 154 9am 110 9pm 106 10am 104 10pm 90 11am 118 11pm 82 28% 15% 57% 27% 15% 57% Fires Special Services False Alarms Incidents by Classification Annual Ratio 3 Year Ratio 28.42% 18.02% 12.94% 8.83% 5.36% 4.62% 4.48% 2.26% 1.99% 1.89% 1.71% 1.62% 1.57% 1.02% 0.92% False Alarm (Dwelling) False Alarm (UFAS) Outdoor Fire False Alarm (Good Intent) Refuse Fire Dwelling Fire Special Service - Effecting… Special Service - Assist other… Special Service - RTC Vehicle Fire Special Service - Flooding Other Building Fire False Alarm (Malicious) Special Service - No action (not… Other Primary Fire Top 15 Incident Types by % of Total Incidents 595 fires primary & secondary special services 333 false alarms 1,236 -8% totalnumber of incidents 2,164 -6% 2% fire casualties 4 -20% non-fire casualties 63 -15% -7% 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11121314 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 00 Activityby Time of Day 57.49%RDSHome Fire Safety Visits Carried Out 692 Fire Safety Audits Carried Out 210 Scottish Fire and Rescue Service | North Ayrshire Performance Report 4 12
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2% -3% -6% Main Source of Ignition Year on Year 3 Year Average 5 Year Average Domestic Safety - Accidental Dwelling Fires Domesti 119 115 98 111 86 88 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 Performance Summary AccidentalDwelling Fires to Date Detection Present 80% 93% Detection Actuated Calls Made via Linked Alarms 22% Automatic Detection & Actuation 12 2 7 5 9 12 8 11 22 Ardrossan Arran Garnock Valley Irvine East Irvine Sout Irvine West Kilwinning North Coast Saltcoats and Stevenston 10.4 1.6 5.5 4.5 6.0 9.0 4.6 6.8 16.7 Ardrossan Arran Garnock Valley Irvine East Irvine Sout Irvine West Kilwinning North Coast Saltcoats and Stevenston Incidents Per 10,000 Population - North Ayrshire Human Factors Accidental DwellingFires by Ward Area Alcohol/DrugImpairment Distraction Incidents Per 10,000 Population - Ayrshire 5.5 6.5 3.8 5.3 East Ayrshire North Ayrshire South Ayrshire Ayrshire Severity of Accidental Dwelling Fires No FirefightingAction Direct Firefighting 39% 19% 60% 20% 13% 3% 1% 0% 0% 1% Not applicable Item 1st ignited Room of origin Floor of origin Limited to 2 floors More than 2 floors Whole building Whole Roof Extent of Fire Damage 28% 15% Scottish Fire and Rescue Service | North Ayrshire Performance Report 5 13
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-20% -32% -29% Year on Year 3 Year Average 5 Year Average Domestic Safety - Accidental Dwelling Fire Casualties 0 0 0 0 00 0 1 2 0 0 - 9 10 - 19 20 - 49 50 - 79 80+ 25 9 16 17 5 4 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 Unintentional Injury or First Aidat Scene Hospital Serious HospitalSlight Injuries 1 Fatal Injuries 0 Performance Summary Accidental Dwelling Fire Casualties Year to Date Extent of Harm Age / Gender Profile Casualties Per 10,000 Population - North Ayrshire Fire Casualties by Ward Area 0 0 1 0 0 3 0 0 0 Ardrossan Arran Garnock Valley Irvine East Irvine South Irvine West Kilwinning North Coast Saltcoats and Stevenston 0.00 0.00 0.03 0.00 0.00 0.09 0.00 0.00 0.00 Ardrossan Arran Garnock Valley Irvine East Irvine South Irvine West Kilwinning North Coast Saltcoats and Stevenston Casualties Per 10,000 Population - Ayrshire 0.90 0.29 0.18 0.46 0.00 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00 East Ayrshire North Ayrshire South Ayrshire Ayrshire 0% 100 1 1 3 Breathing difficulties Asphyxiation Burns – slight Other medical condition Scottish Fire and Rescue Service | North Ayrshire Performance Report 6 14
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-7% 2% -17% Year on Year 3 Year Average 5 Year Average Unintentional Injury or Harm 0 1 14 16 2 0 3 6 11 9 0 - 9 10 - 19 20 - 49 50 - 79 80+ Slight Injuries 128 73 59 63 68 63 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 Deliberate Performance Summary Special Service Casualties Year to Date Age / Gender Profile 6.9 0.0 11.9 2.7 6.6 0.8 4.0 7.4 5.3 Ardrossan Arran Garnock Valley Irvine East Irvine South Irvine West Kilwinning North Coast Saltcoats and Stevenston Extent of Harm Non-Fire Casualties by Ward Area 8 0 15 3 10 1 7 12 7 Ardrossan Arran Garnock Valley Irvine East Irvine South Irvine West Kilwinning North Coast Saltcoats and Stevenston Casualties Per 10,000 Population - North Ayrshire Non-Casualties Per 10,000 Population - Ayrshire 5.2 4.6 5.2 5.0 East Ayrshire North Ayrshire South Ayrshire Ayrshire 53% 47% First Aidat Scene Hospital Serious 15 21 Fatal Injuries 7 9 Hospital Slight Injuries Road Traffic Collision Water Rescue Assisting Other Agencies 44% 3% 43% All Other Incidents 10% Scottish Fire and Rescue Service | North Ayrshire Performance Report 7 15
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-7% 1% -7% Year on Year 3 Year Average 5 Year Average Deliberate Fire Setting 547 518 369 476 406 379 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 547 518 369 476 406 379 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 All Deliberate Fires Non Performance Summary Deliberate Fires Year to Date Deliberate Fires by Classification Deliberate Fires Compared to OperationalActivity Incidents Per 10,000 Population - North Ayrshire 37.2 0.0 30.1 8.1 25.2 60.9 18.4 15.5 85.8 Ardrossan Arran Garnock Valley Irvine East Irvine South Irvine West Kilwinning North Coast Saltcoats and Stevenston Deliberate Fires by Ward Area 43 0 38 9 38 81 32 25 113 Ardrossan Arran Garnock Valley Irvine East Irvine South Irvine West Kilwinning North Coast Saltcoats and Stevenston Slight Injuries Incidents Per 10,000 Population - Ayrshire 29.6 27.9 20.8 26.3 East Ayrshire North Ayrshire South Ayrshire Ayrshire All Other Incidents 11% 8% 11% 6% 7% 13% 89% 92% 89% 94% 93% 87% 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 Primary Secondary Secondary Fire Ratio by Activity Type 29% 71% Refuse Other Secondary Scottish Fire and Rescue Service | North Ayrshire Performance Report 8 16
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23% 14% -8% 3 Year Average 5 Year Average Year on Year Non-Domestic Fire Safety 48% 41% 11% Accidental Deliberate Not Known 3 3 5 1 2 2 2 5 Industrial Food and Drink Retail Education Other Residential Residential Home Unwanted PerformanceSummary Non-Domestic Fires Year to Date Non-Domestic Fires by Nature of Origin Incidents Per 10,000 Population - Ayrshire Non-Domestic Fires by Premises Type Incidents Per 10,000 Population - North Ayrshire 1.7 0.0 1.6 0.0 1.3 4.5 1.7 3.7 4.6 Ardrossan Arran Garnock Valley Irvine East Irvine South Irvine West Kilwinning North Coast Saltcoats and Stevenston Non-Domestic Fires by Ward Area 2 0 2 0 2 6 3 6 6 Ardrossan Arran Garnock Valley Irvine East Irvine South Irvine West Kilwinning North Coast Saltcoats and Stevenston 1.1 2.0 1.9 1.7 East Ayrshire North Ayrshire South Ayrshire Ayrshire 37 32 18 23 22 27 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 Not applicable Limited to item 1st ignited Limited to room of origin Limited to floor of origin Roof space and other floors Whole Building Extent of Fire Damage Scottish Fire and Rescue Service | North Ayrshire Performance Report 9 17
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-30% -5% -4% Year on Year 3 Year Average 5 Year Average Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals 481 493 467 529 560 390 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 UFAS Percentage Against all False Alarms Performance Summary Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals Year to Date Incidents Per 10,000 Population - North Ayrshire 12.1 22.8 38.8 1.8 35.1 86.4 25.9 18.0 41.0 Ardrossan Arran Garnock Valley Irvine East Irvine South Irvine West Kilwinning North Coast Saltcoats and Stevenston 1,847 1,750 1,710 1,908 1,799 1,444 26% 29% 22% 25% 28% 17% 0%0 300 600 900 1,200 1,500 1,800 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 All Incidents UFAS Activty UFAS Percentage Against all Incidents 1,042 1,184 1,232 1,279 1,333 1,236 47% 50% 41% 48% 49% 35% 0%0 300 600 900 1,200 All False Alarms UFAS Activty Home Fire Safety Visits Unwanted FireAlarms Signals by Ward Area 14 29 49 2 53 115 45 29 54 Ardrossan Arran Garnock Valley Irvine East Irvine South Irvine West Kilwinning North Coast Saltcoats and Stevenston Incidents Per 10,000 Population - Ayrshire 19.9 28.7 28.8 25.8 East Ayrshire North Ayrshire South Ayrshire Ayrshire 8% 34% 18% 16% 5% Education Residential Home Other Residential Hospitals & Medical Care Warehouses & Bulk Storage Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals - Top 5 Premises Scottish Fire and Rescue Service | North Ayrshire Performance Report 10 18
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21.46% 63.60% 46.18% 44.64% 96 51:13:51 10 750% 21.74% 78.64% 71.30% 59.09% 340 185:14:36 14 1025% 7.36% 64.21% 33.55% 35.95% 114 60:19:57 6 475% 50.64% 74.71% 69.12% 65.51% 250 157:23:04 13 1100% 13.44% 13.31% 29.89% 19.54% 97 55:03:28 8 650% 62.32% 54.21% 54.70% 55.67% 212 136:45:24 10 875% 32.85% 60.16% 36.02% 43.07% 94 54:05:34 6 450% 97.65% 98.87% 88.77% 94.73% 22.29% 40.92% 6.05% 22.39% 96.78% 97.97% 97.06% 97.28% 35 20:45:23 6 600% 99.68% 100.00% 98.06% 99.18% 42 25:06:47 9 900% 47.56% 70.80% 56.43% 57.49% 70.18% 96.28% 90.41% 86.36% No. of Personnel Contracts 35 13 1150%23:14:05 Ayrshire Total Mobilisations Total Time Deployed Largs Skelmorlie Millport -1 Millport - 2 Brodick Ardrossan Dreghorn Dalry Beith Kilbirnie Appliance Availability Mon - Fri (08:00 - 18:00) Mon - Thu (18:00 - 08:00) Weekend (Fri 18:00 - Mon 08:00) Total Lamlash North Ayrshire Home Fire Safety Visits Home Fire Safety Visits Carried Out Percentage of HighRisk Home Fire Safety Visits Carried Out Percentage of Visits Carried Out FollowingAttendance at an Incident 692 34% 48% Top 5 Premises Smoke Detectors Fitted During Home Fire Safety Visits Fire Safety Audits Carried Out 210 New Audits 87% Post Fire Audits 10% Complaint Audits 2% Re-Audits 1% 57% 39% 4% 0% 0% Broadly Compliant Areas of Improvement Notice of Deficiencies Enforcement Notice Prohibition Notice Fire Safety Audits Retained Duty System Scottish Fire and Rescue Service | North Ayrshire Performance Report 11 19
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Glossary of Terms Term- What it means ADF Accidental Dwelling Fire CSET Community Safety Engagement Toolkit is a internal IT system used to record home fire safety visits and community safety activities FSET Fire Safety Experiential Training is a bespoke training programme developed by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service in Ayrshire and delivered to community planning partners to raise awareness of fire safety within the domestic environment HFSV Home Fire Safety Visit PDIR Post Domestic Incident Response, a term used by Prevention and Protection Directorate to indicate actions taken following attendance at a fire or other incident in the home. PDIRs include amongst things the offer of a free follow-up home fire safety visit Primary Fires These include all fires in buildings, vehicles and outdoor structures or any fire involving casualties, rescues or fires attended by five or more appliances RDS Retained Duty System. Professional on call firefighters who may have other primary employment responsibilities outside the Fire and Rescue Service but respond to emergency calls within their local area as and when required RTC Road Traffic Collision Secondary Fires These are the majority of outdoor fires including grassland and refuse fires unless they involve casualties or rescues, property loss or fire or more appliances attend. They include fires in single derelict buildings Special Service Calls to incidents which are not fires or false alarms such as RTCs, rescues, flooding, incidents involving hazardous materials or the provision of assistance to other agencies UFAS Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals. When an automatic fire detection and alarm system is activated as a result of anything other than an actual fire the activation is classed as a false alarm. If an attendance is made to such an event by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, then the event is recorded as an UFAS incident Scottish Fire and Rescue Service | North Ayrshire Performance Report 12 20
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OFFICIAL—POLICE & PARTNERS 1 North Ayrshire Performance Summary Report - Q3 2023/24 Reporting Period: 01/04/2023 - 31/12/2023 Total Crime 9,400 Crimes 6.2% Incidents Recorded 29,956 -3.1%* 13.7% 1,329 Violence/Homicide Drug Supply 15.4% 60 Sexual Crime 8.5% 255 21.5%* 120 Hate Crime ASB 6,176 Domestic Abuse 1.7%* 796 Acquisitive Crime 6.3% 2,049 Robbery -24.7% 22 Speeding 24.2% 452 Drink/Drug Driving 31.6% 194 Note: All percentage figures are based on the 5-year average with all data based on Management Information which may be subject to change. *5-yr Average is locally produced and not MI -14.4%* Serious Injury & Fatal Accidents 31/4 -14%/-20% Agenda Item 4 21
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OFFICIAL—POLICE & PARTNERS 2 Introduction This document has been compiled to look at the quarterly data available for North Ayrshire. The report is based on the areas of focus identified within the Local Policing Plan agreed with the Local Authority. The ‘Plan on a Page’ document is available on Page 3, this provides details of the areas Police Scotland have agreed to report on. The following list of contents provides an overview of the items included in this report: TOPIC SECTION PAGE Local Policing Plan Plan on a Page 3 Serious Crime Violence/Homicide Drug Supply Robbery 4 5 6 Violence Against Women and Girls Domestic Abuse Rape & Sexual Assault 7 8 Safer Communities ASB Hate Crimes Acquisitive Crime 9 10 11 Community Wellbeing 12 Road Safety Drink/Drug Driving, Speeding and Serious Injury & Fatal Accidents 13 Public Confidence User Satisfaction Survey Complaints 15 16 Glossary of Terms 17 22
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OFFICIAL—POLICE & PARTNERS 3 23
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OFFICIAL—POLICE & PARTNERS 4 SERIOUS CRIME—Violence/Homicide Local Action/Context: Overall violent crime has increased by 13.7% on the 5-year average. This increase is primarily due to the number of Minor Assaults both on Emergency workers and the public. However there has been a decrease noted in Serious Assaults on both the 5-year average and the figures for last year. There are currently around 12% of the Minor Assaults which are non-recent. One Attempt Murder remain undetected at this stage with 88% of the Serious Assaults currently detected. Although overall violent crime has increased, the number of serious assaults and attempt murders have decreased. There were 2 attempt murders recorded in the reporting period, both in the town of Ardrossan. Both were unconnected and have been detected following swift CID enquiry. There have been 11 serious assaults during the reporting period, all of which are detected. There is no connection or pattern to these assaults and they have taken place in Kilwinning, Irvine and the Three Towns. All significant crimes of violence are subject to close scrutiny and managed by the Criminal Investigation Department supported by both the Locality and Priority policing teams where all are reviewed daily. Officers continue to engage with Licensed premises and during the reporting period there have been 353 inspections compared to only 29 incidents. Visits to Licenced premises was a focus over the Festive Period to ensure safe enjoyment of North Ayrshire’s night time economy. This resulted in no significant incidents of disorder or violence over Christmas and New Year. The Community Wellbeing Unit (CWU) continue to work with identified offenders to deter them from future involvement in criminality. Source: Taken from Police Scotland Business Intelligence Portal 24
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OFFICIAL—POLICE & PARTNERS 5 SERIOUS CRIME—Drug Supply Local Action/Context: Drug supply charges in North Ayrshire have noted an increase over the last 9 months. Charges are up 15.4% on the 5-year average for Supplying Drugs and Cannabis Cultivations are up 17.2% on the 5-year average. Proactivity remains the main focus and means by which these charges are obtained. Identifying any real patterns to where these crimes are taking place requires the combined work of local officers and Divisional staff, building on the Community Intelligence provided by North Ayrshire residents, community groups or via Crimestoppers. The positive increase in supply charges is welcomed and is reflective of the significant work being undertaken within North Ayrshire by our Local Intelligence officer, Intelligence Development Unit and our Proactive Policing team. Information and intelligence gleaned from the community via our locality and response officers are the building blocks to identify who is responsible at all levels for the supply of controlled drugs across North Ayrshire. Examples of good work from the reporting period include - In November 2023, officers from the Proactive Crime Team searched an address in Kilwinning. During which they recovered a Hydraulic Cocaine press. This type of equipment is indicative of high-level drug dealing. The householder was arrested and charged with being concerned in supply of Class A Controlled drugs with enquiry ongoing into the drug network in which he operates within. This outlines Ayrshire Division’s intent to target high level drug dealers who cause the most threat and harm to our communities. The threat posed by Albanian Organised Crime Groups continues to increase across Scotland and the wider United Kingdom. In December 2023 a large scale cannabis cultivation was discovered in an industrial area of Stevenston. This find was a result of effective partnership working and intelligence sharing. During the search of the premises, 850 cannabis plants were recovered and an additional 143.5KG of cannabis. This had an estimated value of £860,000. 6 Albanian nationals were arrested at the site and information is shared with other UK forces, forming part of ongoing intelligence with the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit. Source: Taken from Police Scotland Business Intelligence Portal 25
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OFFICIAL—POLICE & PARTNERS 6 SERIOUS CRIME—Robbery Local Action/Context: The number of reported Robbery type crimes so far this year has decreased from 24 last year to 22 in the first 9 months of this year. This is also below the 5-year average of 29.2. So far 18 crimes have been detected this year, giving a detection rate of 81.8%. The Rivergate Shopping area remains the only repeat location with two crimes taking place at this location. Ten of these crimes have taken place within the home, with a physical assault being most commonly used against the victim. Cash remains the most commonly acquired item and the victim knew the offender, in some capacity, in at least 68% of robberies so far this year. The reduction is welcome and is reflective of the ongoing preventative work within North Ayrshire both within Schools and robust policing of the town centres. Robberies are a key priority within North Ayrshire each is report is subject to an enhanced level of governance and scrutiny by both the Area Command and CID, this ensures that all such crimes are thoroughly investigated and offenders pursued and apprehended at the earliest opportunity. Dedicated town centre officers continue to proactively engage with retailers regarding preventative measures and raising awareness. Preventative measures are continually refreshed which include identifying those known offenders who are subject to bail conditions to ensure compliance of conditions and all warrants for Robbery offenders are prioritised to ensure they are apprehended at the earliest opportunity. With some detections taking longer to achieve following more complex enquiries, hostile complainers or incidents involving forensic results, the detection rates are anticipated to increase as enquiries progress. Whilst being committed to robust enforcement we remain committed to identifying the underlying factors that lead offenders to commit such crimes working closely with partners to ensure appropriate supports are put in place that could reduce the likelihood of reoffending. Source: Taken from Police Scotland Business Intelligence Portal 26
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OFFICIAL—POLICE & PARTNERS 7 VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN & GIRLS—Domestic Abuse Local Action/Context: Domestic crimes so far this year are showing an increase when compared with last year (up 8%) and slightly up on the 5-year average (up 1.7%). The chart opposite shows that the majority of months have recorded an increase on the numbers recorded last year. There are a number of multiple reports, whereby the same victim has reported multiple crimes against the same offender, this obviously impacts the overall numbers. It has been noted that around 3% of the crimes reported during this period are non-recent. During October – December 2023 there has been a decrease in Domestic related incidents reported to Police within North Ayrshire. In total there were 429 incidents compared to 465 during the months July to September. However, this quarter’s figures are significantly higher than the same period during 2022 when 371 incidents were reported to Police. DSDAS referrals have also decreased from the last quarter with 30 referrals submitted during the period, in comparison to 39 during the last quarter. This has increased from the previous year whereby 19 applications were made to the scheme. During this reporting period, 53 victims were referred to MARAC and risk-focused safety plans were implemented. The number of MARAC cases during this period has significantly increased from the previous year (24) however this can be explained by a greater awareness around this process. During November a MATAC nominal identified in the previous quarter was arrested and charged with serious offences against 3 previous partners. Also, during this month another high-profile offender was arrested and charged with serious sexual offences against 3 previous partners, both offenders have been remanded in custody. A further 2 MATAC nominals have been identified between October and December and investigations are currently ongoing. The Domestic Abuse Investigation Unit and the Domestic Abuse Safeguarding Team continue to work closely with partners to support victims and to enhance this work a Pilot scheme is due to commence within North Ayrshire whereby Domestic Abuse champions will work closely with Women’s Aid. Source: Taken from Police Scotland Business Intelligence Portal 27
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OFFICIAL—POLICE & PARTNERS 8 VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN & GIRLS—Rape & Sexual Assault Local Action/Context: Examination of the Rape crimes shows a slight dip in the numbers compared with last year, however the figures remain above the 5-year average. It is notable that a total of 20 of these are non-recent crimes of which 13 were Domestic related. Sexual Assaults have noted a marked increase on both last year and the 5-year average. Of the 75 reported crimes, 27 are non-recent so far, and at least 10 are domestic related. It should be noted that there are a number of multiple reports whereby one victim is reporting a number of crimes against the same individual. This includes 10 crimes involving the same victim and offender and another where 9 crimes have been reported by one victim against the same offender. This is impacting on the overall figures. There have been a total of 42 individuals aged 17 years or younger who have reported a sexual crime (Includes non-contact offences), a total of 82 crimes have been reported by these individuals. Notably 16% of these crimes were non-recent, which is a slight decrease from 17% last year. Non—recent investigations can be challenging due to limited CCTV and forensic opportunities, and also diminishing recollection of witnesses. All rape and sexual assault enquiries are led by an SIO and a dedicated investment from the Detective Inspector for the Divisional Rape Investigation Unit. Specially trained Sexual Offences Liaison Officers ensure all investigative processes are completed to the highest standard and also ensures wellbeing of victims, witnesses and staff. The DRIU have formed strong partnerships with Women’s Aid and Rape Crisis Scotland. Approaching one of these partners is often the first step to police engagement therefore this is positive in building confidence with victims and increasing engagement with MARAC. From partner reports, the feedback from victims is overwhelmingly positive. Police Scotland have introduced the function on our public website for victims of sexual abuse to provide feedback anonymously. This gives confidence to speak freely and allows the opportunity to improve the quality of service provided. In November 2023, excellent locality policing led to the identification of a male who was responsible for the rape of a stranger in the Saltcoats area. The male was previously not known to police and can now be managed and conditions now in place mean he can be robustly policed to prevent further offending. Source: Taken from Police Scotland Business Intelligence Portal 28
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OFFICIAL—POLICE & PARTNERS 9 SAFER COMMUNITIES—Antisocial Behaviour Local Action/Context: Anti-social behaviour in general has shown a reduction this year when compared to the 5-year average, although there has been a slight increase on last year (up 4.5%). Most months have recorded increases this year when compared with 2022/23. It was initially thought this was due to the good weather experienced earlier in the year, however the trend has continued throughout the rest of the year suggesting that this is actually on an upward trend. ASB incidents involving youths accounted for just over 11%. ASB continues to be targeted across North Ayrshire by our dedicated teams, focussing on the areas that have a direct impact to the wellbeing of our local communities. Daily scrutiny, governance and partnership working, including Prevention First Group address emerging issues such as derelict buildings, off road bikes, and hot spot areas timeously. ASB involving Off Road Bikes/Quads in areas such as Ardeer, Stevenston and Kilwinning continue to cause concern. Intelligence led action plans continue with Quad Bikes playing a key role. This has resulted in a number of detections, seizures and a number of enquiries remaining live with positive lines of enquiry following partnership working and review of CCTV. Over the reporting period, joint patrols were carried out with BTP in response to youth disorder. This was in response to acts of fire raising and general disorder in a number of areas of North Ayrshire where it was identified that those involved were traveling by train. Each weekend officers patrol within Town Centre areas, conducting proactive high visible visits to licensed premises, providing public reassurance and support to night time economy workers. Throughout the period local officers undertook 353 visits to licensed premises. ASB was a focus of the festive initiative and high visibility directed patrols were carried out near hot spot areas. Our Anti Social Behaviour Liaison Officer continues to highlight incidents to the council. 54 ASBIT cases were opened within the reporting period, resulting in 1 case proceeding to eviction. Source: Taken from Police Scotland Business Intelligence Portal 29
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OFFICIAL—POLICE & PARTNERS 10 SAFER COMMUNITIES—Hate Crime Local Action/Context: Hate crime across North Ayrshire is currently showing a marked increase when compared to the same period in 2022/23 (n= 120 this year, n=88 last year) and the 5-year average (n=98.8). The chart opposite highlights the fact that Racial crimes continue to show marked increases. The majority of these have involved members of the public rather than Police Officers. Six repeat victims have been identified during the nine months of the year being examined, four were subjected to racial abuse (including one Syrian male) and two were the victim of transphobic/homophobic crimes. There are seven repeat locations identified three of which relate to the repeat complainers. The majority of hate crime occurred in public space (76%) with occurring in shops throughout North Ayrshire. There are a number of other indoor locations including schools, licensed premises and the Police Station. Around 44% of hate crime directed at members of the public were committed by someone known to them (neighbour, acquaintance, etc). Every incident reported to Police Scotland is discussed and support provided to the victim of a hate crime. Where repeat victims and locations are identified there is work carried out to support those impacted by the crime. Campus officers continue to engage positively with students, educating and highlighting the impact of hate crime on individuals and communities. In keeping with the wider external political environment, the Local Authority Liaison Officers continues to work closely with the Ukrainian and Syrian Communities to provide support. Source: Taken from Police Scotland Business Intelligence Portal 30
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OFFICIAL—POLICE & PARTNERS 11 SAFER COMMUNITIES—Acquisitive Crime Local Action/Context: From the table opposite it is evident that the majority of acquisitive type crimes continue to show increases when compared with last year but decreases when compared with the 5-year average. Shoplifting crimes have been on an upward trend in recent years and this year has experienced the biggest increase year on year. It has been noted this year that shoplifting teams have been in operation across Ayrshire, including North Ayrshire. In particular large volumes of alcohol are being stolen using methods such as lined bags so that alarm systems are not activated. In addition some individuals have been charged with multiple crimes including one male who is responsible for at least 42 of these crimes. Whilst housebreaking crimes are also showing an increase this is primarily due to crimes where commercial premises have been broken into. Housebreaking crimes to domestic premises have increased slightly compared to last year however remain below the 5-year average. It should be noted that 2022/23 recorded the lowest housebreaking figures in at least 5 years. The increase in shoplifting crimes remains on an upwards trend, this has been recognised across North Ayrshire which has been targeted by organised groups. The three large retailers across the Three towns have engaged well with police as each fell victim to increased incidents of shoplifting. North Ayrshire has two dedicated officers across the Three towns to tackle retail crime, with a focus on detection of offenders, upskilling security staff within shops and working with management within the stores regarding ‘soft targets’. Use of police undertaking conditions for offenders has allowed bail conditions to be imposed on those who continue to target retailers in the area. North Ayrshire officers instigated the arrest of members of an organised group targeting supermarkets where they stole large quantities of alcohol. In recognition of this rising crime trend we have invested in an additional officer into the team to assist with the additional demand and review of CCTV. Work remains ongoing with small retailers, providing guidance on the use of CCTV cameras along with other measures to deter those intent on committing shop liftings. In November Police Scotland Business Crime unit provided a micro sessions to retailers on CCTV guidance for businesses , this was promoted to retailers in the locality to help prevent and tackle business related crime. Source: Taken from Police Scotland Business Intelligence Portal 31
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OFFICIAL—POLICE & PARTNERS 12 COMMUNITY WELLBEING Local Action/Context: Drugs Harm The North Ayrshire Community Wellbeing Unit continues to work closely with the North Ayrshire Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service. NADARS supports vulnerable members of the public who are at risk of drug harm. The CWU continues to attend meetings at Caley Court to discuss some of the most vulnerable people in our community with partner agencies such as NA- DARS, NHS and Housing support. These meeting also give the CWU an opportunity to engage with vulnerable people who attend pre arranged appointments who may otherwise not have positive interactions with police in other settings. The CWU continually engaging with people with addictions and feed into the intelligence system in an effort to tackle the detrimental impact of drugs on the community. Sadly, a further 8 drugs related deaths have been reported in North Ayrshire, bringing the total for the reporting period to 19. Community Justice The CWU have forged a successful relationship with Venture Trust and referred two young people who were regularly coming to the attention of the police. Venture Trust support adults and young people through a community and outdoor based personal development programme, employability courses and outdoor therapy services. Some of programmes are aimed at people on Criminal Justice Orders or people going through challenging life circumstances making it an essential partnership with the CWU. Mental Health The CWU have are an integral part of recent professionals meeting at Caley Court. These meetings are called to discuss and support individuals with mental illness who face challenges and may pose a risk of threat or harm to themselves or others. The CWU engage with these individuals and seek to gain a greater understanding of their circumstances which is then shared with other officers to provide a greater awareness and understanding of behaviour. This produces an informed policing approach and more positive police interaction in the hope of providing an improved service to them and the community. The CWU regularly engage with people with mental illness who are coming to the attention of the police and offer assistance and signpost to relevant services. Youth Engagement CWU officers are forging strong relationships with care establishments to improve links with vulnerable young people and reduce absconding. Through engagement with third sector or- ganisations, CWU seek to compliment services by creating pathways out of anti-social behaviour, assist with young persons leaving care establishments and provide positive interactions with young people who generally have negative experiences with policing. Most notably a current member of a care establishment within North Ayrshire was referred to the Police Scotland Youth Volunteers and recently attended her first session. 32
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OFFICIAL—POLICE & PARTNERS 13 ROAD SAFETY Local Action/Context: There has been an increase in both Speeding offences and Drink/Drug Offences within North Ayrshire. However, this is likely to be due to increased pro-activity across the area to ensure road users are driving appropriately and safely. Detections for Drink/Drug Driving and Speeding are currently 91.2% and 100% respectively. There are likely to still be some samples going through the forensic process for drink/drug driving which will be why this figure is currently below the 5-year average. However, this is likely to increase as results come through. In terms of Serious and Fatal Road Accidents —there has been four Fatal Accidents so far this year compared with five last year. However there have been 31 people seriously injured, which is an decrease of 5 compared to last year and includes four children. North Ayrshire Police continue their drive towards the ambitious targets set out in Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2030. A strong focus towards pro activity is key in targeting those road users who choose to drive at excessive speed and under the influence. This inappropriate driving behaviour places them and other road users in danger. Police in North Ayrshire supported by colleagues from Ayrshire’s Road Policing Unit work in strong collaboration with partners, communities and elected members to address concerns raised locally. Dedicated high visibility patrols at key locations continue within North Ayrshire to positively influence road user behaviour and reassure communities that road safety is taken seriously. These patrols are supplemented by regular unmarked patrols to locations where offenders are known to frequent. Colleagues from intelligence and analytical units support local police to identify repeat offenders along with emerging trends to ensure officers are deployed to the right location at the right time. Ayrshire Road Policing Unit have dedicated speeding locations within North Ayrshire which have been identified by our communities as causing concern. These locations are contained within daily tasking’s to ensure our officers deploy on a daily basis. Any new locations are added to a database and then rotated to ensure equity of service. In terms of the reporting period, there has been a marked increase in speeding offences compared to the same period last year. Speeding is recognised within North Ayrshire as a priority and is a causative factor in 80 percent of all fatal and serious road traffic collisions. Therefore, this increase is a testament to North Ayrshire Polices commitment towards reducing the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads. Locations such as the A78, A760, A736 and A737 feature on Ayrshire Road Policing’s daily patrol matrix. In particular, the A736 through the village of Burnhouse has witnessed a high detection rate for speeding offences. Drink and Drug driving offences have also increased in North Ayrshire. As previously mentioned in this report, a strong collaboration exists between local police, road policing and those within intelligence and analytical units. This collaboration is beneficial in terms of intelligence led packages being produced for those that choose to drive under the influence. (Cont’d overpage) Source: Taken from Police Scotland Business Intelligence Portal 33
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OFFICIAL—POLICE & PARTNERS 14 ROAD SAFETY An example of this being in November 2023 when officers from Ayrshires Road Policing Unit acted on intelligence and apprehended a 37 year old female driver for failing the road side breath test during the morning commute. Police in North Ayrshire take every opportunity to highlight significant detections via social media to ensure North Ayrshire communities are aware of the continual proactive approach towards road safety. Ayrshires Road Policing Unit work in collaboration with local officers to support the National Calendar of Road Safety Activity, which identifies specific periods throughout the year to target road safety priorities. The below campaigns were supported in North Ayrshire during the reporting period: National Speed Campaign Get Ready For Winter Operation Drive Insured Brake Road Safety Week Festive Drink Drug Driving Campaign In addition to the above, officers from North Ayrshire have supported Ayrshires Road Policing Unit with a number of significant detections in terms of both road safety and road crime. Some examples as per below: October 2023 – officers observed a black Porsche motor vehicle in the Kilwinning area with damage to the driver’s window. The 24 year old driver subsequently failed to stop for police and a pursuit ensued. After a short time, the 24 year old was apprehended and found to be disqualified from driving. He was held in police custody to appear at court. November 2023 – officers responded to a stolen vehicle tracker activation in the Irvine area. A £215,000 Mercedes AMG GTS motor vehicle was subsequently traced unattended. Further enquiries revealed that this vehicle is linked to wider OCG activity. November 2023 – officers attempted to carry out a proactive stop on a Volkswagen Golf motor vehicle in the Kilbirnie area. The 28 year old driver failed to stop and a pursuit ensued. Road Policing officers successfully stopped the vehicle where the 28 year old driver was found to be disqualified from driving. He was reported to the COPFS for a number of offences. December 2023 – officers carried out a proactive stop of a vehicle on the A78 near to Irvine. The 44 year old driver failed the road side breath test and was apprehended. He was held in police custody to appear at court. December 2023 – officers stopped a motor vehicle on the A78 due to the manner of driving. The 32 year old male driver subsequently failed the roadside drug wipe, testing positive for cannabis. A quantity of cannabis with a street value of £1500 was seized as a result of this proactive stop. In terms of fatal and serious road traffic collisions, there has been no increase with 2 fatalities which is static compared to the same period last year. These fatalities contained no commonality in terms of causative factors. Serious collisions have reduced from 19 to 17 for the same period last year. It should be noted that an overnight stay in hospital (even where no serious injury is detected) is considered to be a serious collision in terms of recording purposes. 34
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OFFICIAL—POLICE & PARTNERS 15 PUBLIC CONFIDENCE—Survey Information User Experience - Current Position It should also be noted that the ‘Feeling adequately informed’ question has changed in 2022/23 and only applies to those who stated they expected to be kept informed. This data can now be supplied down to Local Authority level. Your Survey It should be noted 22 respondents did not provide a gender or noted other or non-binary as their gender Local Action/Context: Your Police Survey remains open for all police and members of the public to provide their views on Policing in the local community. Local officers continue to promote engagement with Your Police Survey at all events and community engagements with regular broadcasts on media and social media platforms. How safe do you feel in your local area? Male Female Total Respondents Very Safe Fairly Safe Total Very Safe Fairly Safe Very Safe Fairly Safe North 16.44% 56.16% 72.60% 18.75% 50.00% 16.46% 62.03% 292 Concern about Crime Male Female Total Respondents Increased a Lot Increased a Little Total Increased a Lot Increased a Little Increased a Lot Increased a Little North 27.74% 25.00% 52.74% 27.68% 26.79% 27.22% 23.42% 292 Questions YTD Force YTD Female Male Blank/ Other Number of Respondents 307 11650 136 68 103 Ease of Contact? (% Easy and Very Easy) 72% 71% 74% 75% 67% Being provided with the appropriate response? (% Yes) 66% 63% 70% 68% 59% Feeling adequately informed about progress made with your report (% Yes) 51% 49% 49% 52% 55% Overall Satisfaction? (% Satisfied or Very Satisfied) 71% 68% 75% 69% 66% 35
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OFFICIAL—POLICE & PARTNERS 16 PUBLIC CONFIDENCE—Complaints Against the Police NOTE : The information in these tables covers the period 1 April 2023 to 31 December 2023. Complaint Cases & Allegations Received Breakdown of Case Categories Breakdown of Allegations Breakdown of Quality of Service Allegation Types TOTAL COMPLAINT CASES RECEIVED TOTAL NUMBER OF ALLEGATIONS RECEIVED YTD LYTD % CHANGE YTD LYTD % CHANGE U DIVISION 306 290 5.5% 408 480 -15.0% North Ayrshire 91 103 -11.7% 113 159 -28.9% FLR (Early Resolution) FLR PSD (NCARU) FLR (Spec or PSD) Criminal Complaint Non Criminal (not FLR) Abandoned Withdrawn Ongoing (NCARU) Not Relevant Complaint U DIVISION 1 143 13 21 75 35 18 0 0 North Ayrshire 1 47 5 8 19 6 5 0 0 Assault Corrupt Practice Discriminatory Behaviour Excessive Force Incivility Irregularity in Procedure Neglect of Duty Oppressive Conduct/ Harassment Other - Criminal Other - Non Criminal Traffic Irregularity / Offence Unlawful/ Unnecessary Arrest or Detention U DIVISION 21 0 5 20 49 136 3 11 4 2 5 6 North Ayrshire 6 0 2 2 11 39 0 2 2 1 0 1 Policy/Procedure Service Delivery Service Outcome U DIVISION 33 38 75 North Ayrshire 8 14 25 36
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OFFICIAL—POLICE & PARTNERS 17 GLOSSARY OF TERMS Acronym Details ASB Anti-Social Behaviour ASBIT Anti-Social Behaviour Investigation Team CWU Community Wellbeing Unit CYTD Current Year to Date DAIU Domestic Abuse Investigation Unit DAST Domestic Abuse Safeguarding Team DRD Drug Related Deaths DSDAS Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse Scotland NAC North Ayrshire Council FLR Front Line Resolution GIRFEC Getting It Right For Every Child HMP Her Majesty's Prison LPP Local Policing Plan LPT Local Policing Team LYTD Last Year to Date MARAC Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference NCARU National Complaints and Resolution Unit Non-Rec Non Recent (over one year from incident occurring) PACT Pro-Active Crime Team PSOS Police Service of Scotland PYTD Previous Year to Date QoS Quality of Service (relates to complaints) RADAR Rapid Access to Drug and Alcohol Recovery SARC Sexual Assault Referral Centre ScOMIS Scottish Operational and Management Information System SFRS Scottish Fire and Rescue Service SWD Social Work Department VAWG Violence Against Women and Girls YTD Year to Date 37
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL Page 1 FOR INFORMATION Disclosable under FOISA 2002 Yes Author/Contact Stuart Dougan Department / Unit Locality Policing (North Ayrshire) Date Created 15th January 2024 Telephone 01294 404550 Attachments: N/A BRIEFING PAPER – North Ayrshire approach to Operation Moonbeam – For attention of PFRC chair and members. PURPOSE The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview in relation to the North Ayrshire approach to Operation Moonbeam (October/November 2023). The paper illustrates the work undertaken to identify problematic areas, focussed patrol areas and partnership working. PREPERATION The weeks preceding the 5th November each year has traditionally seen an increase in calls to Police Scotland in relation to the use of fireworks and the building of ‘community’ bonfires both on public and private land. New legislation within the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022 is now in force and Local Authorities have the ability to designate particular areas a Firework Control Zone (Appendix 1). In 2023 North Ayrshire Council did not designate any area within the authority a Firework Control Zone. Following on from 2022 there was a focus on partnership working and awareness sharing across North Ayrshire, this was expanded in 2023 to provide input from North Ayrshire Council Housing, Anco housing and Riverside housing. This extended reach across housing services allowed greater intelligence gathering and dissemination alongside increased ability to prevent disorder around bonfire weekend. This resulted in amnesties in certain areas to collect excess waste from domestic properties, preventing significant build up of combustible material. There was a daily meeting in the two weeks running up to bonfire weekend which was chaired by Police Scotland, along with those mentioned above representatives from SFRS and Streetscene were able to share information on a daily basis. The meetings provided a platform to share information, identify locations of concern and pull resources across all organisations to mitigate the risk of substantial bonfires or acts of disorder. Police Scotland Preventions and Interventions officer, worked alongside Trading Standard to undertake visits to retailers during October across North Ayrshire. Visits were conducted to ensure retailers were aware of legislation under the act, the requirement to act responsibly in the sale of fireworks and pyrotechnics. It was established that some of the larger retailers had decided not to stock fireworks for sale this year. Police campus officers delivered inputs within the senior schools around the dangers and use of fireworks, engaging with pupils across North Ayrshire to educate them on the new legislation alongside the risks involved in the use of fireworks and pyrotechnics. Report (i) Police Scotland Agenda Item 5 39
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL Page 2 On the week running up to the weekend of the 5th and 6th November LPT officers visited the focussed areas to ascertain if there was evidence of a bonfire being constructed. In the past the areas around Ardeer Industrial estate were a concern due to the ease of which members of the public could access material for a bonfire. Officers from Police Scotland and SFRS visited several premises to provide guidance on the storage of waste, pallets and materials that may be accessed to build bonfires. This was also replicated in the Hawkhill retail park in Stevenston and the commercial premises at Central Avenue, Ardrossan. This was communicated with the Streetscene team within the council who in turn would attend and remove items that were going to be used to build a bonfire. If the material was discovered on private land the landowner was spoken to around the intentions of the material and the plan for disposal to ensure the material was not part of a constructed bonfire. POLICE INCIDENTS (16th October 2023 – 6th November 2023) There were eleven crimes identified, mostly for Wilful Fire-raising (4) followed by Vandalism then Assault, obstruct, or hinder a member of the emergency services (3) Over half the crime occurred in Ardrossan during the time frame, 3 of these crimes were offences relating to Assault/obstruct/hinder Emergency services (relating to police and SFRS responding to incidents) – All 3 occurred on the same date within the area of Central Avenue, Ardrossan ,where SFRC crews and police were attacked by youths throwing eggs. A vandalism was also reported in Central Avenue, Ardrossan at the same date. One Culpable and Reckless crime was recorded in Golf Avenue, Stevenston when a firework was set off horizontally resulting in it exploding under a motor vehicle. Only 2 crimes took place the weekend of 3rd to 5th November (Culpable and reckless in Stevenston and Section 38 CJLSA in Kilwinning). Police dealt with eighty incidents relating to Fires/Fireworks/assist the fire service. Most common calls were public nuisance, notifying police of fireworks being let off in the area. Some incidents involved youths setting fires/ bins on fire, several of these calls were wheelie bins set on fire. Around two thirds of the total number of calls to police were in the Ardrossan and Stevenston area. The main hotpots for level of crime and incidents were at Stanley Road/Central Avenue, Ardrossan with a smaller hotspot in the Stevenston/ Ardeer area. There were a small number of incidents clustered around Lindholm Road/ Golf Avenue Stevenston and Castlepark circle, Irvine. The increased number of attacks on emergency workers is noted, particularly around Central Avenue Ardrossan. These relate to both police and Firefighters attending the area and coming under attack by youths in the area, assaulted by throwing of eggs – all three crimes were recorded on Monday 30th October 2023 and involved youths. There were no incidents of significant disorder in the North Ayrshire area. SFRS AND POLICE SCOTLAND COLLABORATION Over the weekend of Friday 3rd November to Sunday 6th November Police Scotland officers assisted SFRS crews by attending fire stations throughout North Ayrshire (exception being Largs retained station). This allowed officers to attend call outs with SFRS crews during the late shift/early night shift hours. This was successful in allowing information sharing, with police officers immediately attending incidents where SFRS colleagues may come under attack and to ensure that there was no criminality 40
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL Page 3 involved. Over the course of this weekend there were no reported attacks on fire crews or police officers attending a call. Police Scotland officers attended the Saltcoats and Kilwinning Fireworks displays (both organised events), no issues were raised during the running of both events. LEARNING AND PROGRESSION The benefit of the multi-agency approach starting on the 16th October 2023 was learning from last year to ensure a larger cross section of information sharing. Data from previous years had indicated that early sharing of information allowed each organisation to work together to develop a response to concerns. Although there was proactive work with Trading standards around retailers there is still intelligence gaps around the purchase of fireworks through online means. The inclusion of Police/SFRS joint inputs to secondary schools assisted in delivering the fire safety message and highlight legislation around the possession of fireworks and pyrotechnics to youths within the communities. North Ayrshire Council did not have any Firework Control Zones in 2023 – feedback from this year will assist in determining whether such measures are needed in areas of North Ayrshire in 2024. Police and SPFS have already met in 2024 with Local Authority representatives to discuss the governance and implementation of a working group to discuss Firework Control Zones. Work remains ongoing with North Ayrshire Council in raising awareness of Public Entertainment Licences when organisation are preparing to hold bonfire and firework displays. CONCLUSION Communities across North Ayrshire will continue to develop local bonfire sites and fireworks displays around the 5th November. These were not licenced events and although they appeared ‘organised events’ they are not often known to agencies. There will be engagement through housing/ Locality police officers/ SFRS and Streetscene to identify the potential organisers of these events to ensure early engagement/enforcement and safety advice and the requirement for events to have appropriate licences in place. The multi-agency approach has been successful and through development will continue to be the framework for Op Moonbeam in 2024 in North Ayrshire. Consultation will be undertaken to ensure all legislation is appropriate and used where proportionate and justified to deliver safe communities through the Operation moonbeam period. PI Stuart Dougan Locality Policing Team Three Towns, North Coast and Islands. 18th January 2024. 41
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL Page 4 Appendix 1 Key sections from The Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022. The Act includes an offence, which prohibits the supply of fireworks and other pyrotechnic articles to children, namely: Section 21 It is an offence to (a) knowingly buy or attempt to buy a firework or pyrotechnic article for a person under the age of 18, (b) give or otherwise make available a firework or other pyrotechnic article to a person under the age of 18. This offence is introduced from Monday, 10 October, 2022 and anyone in breach of the legislation will be subject to a fine of £5,000, a six-month prison term, or both. This type of offence is known as proxy purchase or proxy supply, and there are already similar offences in relation to adults supplying products such as alcohol and tobacco to children. An aggravator for emergency workers will also be introduced on 10 October: Section 44 An offence is aggravated by the use of a firework or pyrotechnic article if: • a) The offence is committed in a manner that involves the use of a firework or pyrotechnic article which is currently lit or ignited (or which has recently been lit or ignited) and • b) A victim (or intended victim) of the offence is an emergency worker. An emergency worker is defined as per the Emergency Workers (Scotland) Act 2005. Police Scotland have enforcement responsibility for the new proxy purchase and supply offence. Offences in relation to the commercial supply of fireworks and other pyrotechnic articles will continue to be enforced by Trading Standards. The commercial supply of fireworks and other pyrotechnics articles continues to be subject to existing legislation. The provisions for two new pyrotechnic offences are subject to further legislation and parliamentary scrutiny before they can be commenced. As a result it is likely that the following two offences will not be introduced until early to mid-2023. Section 35 42
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL Page 5 It will be an offence for a person without reasonable excuse to possess a pyrotechnic article in a public place. Exemptions include, • (a) in connection with person’s employment or • (b) It is in connection with the person undertaking an activity where it is appropriate to possess the article for use as a visible distress signal. Section 36 (1) It will be an offence for a person without reasonable excuse to possess a pyrotechnic article whilst the person is in a designated venue or whilst at a designated event. This includes sports ground, sporting and music events. 2.3 Section 22 of the Act will not be introduced until 2023. This will apply a restriction on the days of supply of fireworks, specifically the sale of fireworks which will only be permitted on: • Vaisakhi (7-14 April), • Guy Fawkes Day (27 October-10 November), • Hogmanay (26 December-31 December), • The first day of Chinese New Year and 3 days immediately preceding it and • The first day of Diwali and 3 days immediately preceding it. The new licensing system will apply to category F2 and F3 fireworks and will not be introduced until late 2023 or early 2024 • Consumer fireworks are categorised as Category F1, F2 or F3 • Category F1 fireworks are indoor or close proximity fireworks with minimal safety distances (e.g. 1m) • Category F2 fireworks are outdoor fireworks with spectator safety distances of at least 8m • Category F3 fireworks are outdoor fireworks with spectator safety distances of at least 25m • Category F4 fireworks are for professional use only. Section 4 – It is an offence for a person without reasonable excuse to purchase, acquire, possess or use a firework without having a firework licence. This legislation will extend to include an offence for a person, without reasonable excuse to supply a firework to a person who does not have a licence. Guidance will be issued by the Scottish Government to those wishing to apply for a fireworks licence and the applicant will be required to meet the criteria outlined in the Bill and pay a fee. Firework control zones will apply to category F2, F3 an F4 Fireworks and are likely to be introduced in late 2023. Section 27 (2) It will be an offence for a person to ignite a firework, knowingly or recklessly throw a lit firework or fire a firework into a control zone. 43
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL Page 6 Guidance will be developed in consultation with Police Scotland and the 32 Local Authorities and will be designed to allow the opportunity for community engagement. Ultimately the firework control zones will give the local authorities the autonomy to designate a place within their area as a firework control zone, amend a zone (including the period for which it is to have effect or days on which it will operate) or revoke a zone. The provisions in relation to the firework licensing system and firework control zones still require further legislation and guidance before they can commence and operate to their full intended effect, similar to the restriction on the days of supply of fireworks. 44
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NORTH AYRSHIRE COUNCIL 26 February 2024 Police / Fire and Rescue Committee Title: Operation Moonbeam – Streetscene Service Purpose: To provide an update on the role of Streetscene Operations in relation to reducing risks to communities and emergency workers through Operation Moonbeam. Recommendation: That the Committee notes the contribution of the Streetscene Service in the reduction of illegal bonfires through the removal of combustible materials. 1. Executive Summary 1.1 The Streetscene service has assisted Police Scotland and Scotland Fire and rescue for over a decade. During 2023 in the run up to the 5th of November the Area Officer for the three towns and Kilwinning and Flytipping Officer were involved in Operation Moonbeam attending weekly meetings during October increasing to daily in the week prior to bonfire night. 1.2 In preparation for bonfire night weekly meetings were set up with relevant partners. During the final week, the meeting frequency was increased to daily meetings. The purpose of the meetings was to share information and identify locations where combustible material was stored. This was subsequently removed safely by the Streetscene Service. 2. Background 2.1 The role of the Streetscene Service around bonfire night is to remove combustible materials to minimise the risk of illegal fires that could lead to the damage of property or injuries to persons. In the lead up to bonfire night the Housing Service Estate Wardens and Streetscene Environmental Enforcement Officers are particularly vigilant seeking out any stockpiling of combustible materials and passing on information to Streetscene Operations for removal. 2.2 In the lead up to bonfire night the Streetscene service removed combustible materials from the following locations; • Ardeer Industrial Estate • McKinlay Crescent - Irvine • Castlepark – Irvine • Hamilton Crescent – Stevenston • Lundholm Road – Stevenston • Mid Road – Beith • Holehouse Road – Largs Report (ii) - Steetscene 45
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• Longrow Gardens - Irvine • Stanley Road – Ardrossan • Central Avenue – Ardrossan • New England Road – Saltcoats • Dreghorn Primary School • Kerr Avenue – Saltcoats • Knox Place – Saltcoats • Arthur Street – Stevenston • St Margarets Road – Ardrossan • Donaldson Avenue - Saltcoats 2.2.1 Photograph of combustible materials removed from Holehouse Road in Largs; 2.3 In addition to the pre bonfire night intervention work the Streetscene service has to undertake a considerable amount of clear up work following the 5th November, which typically can take over a week which diverts resources from carrying out street cleansing duties within our town centres. 2.3.1 Photograph to illustrate clear up required at New England Road in Saltcoats; 46
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2.4 The Streetscene service Is currently compiling a list of known bonfire locations to provide the Senior Manager Protective Services with information to assess risks and identify areas where it may be required to introduce firework control zones. 3. Proposals 3.1 That the Police and Fire and Rescue Committee note the actions taken by the Streetscene service to reduce illegal fire activity and the associated risks to the public and our emergency services. 4. Implications/Socio-economic Duty Financial 4.1 The work undertaken by Streetscene in Operation Moonbeam is met from within existing budgets. Human Resources 4.2 Existing Streetscene resources deliver the activities outlined in this paper. Legal 4.3 No legal implications arising from this update. 47
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Equality/Socio-economic 4.4 There are no equality/socio-economic implications arising from this report. Climate Change and Carbon 4.5 There are no climate change and carbon implications arising from this report. Key Priorities 4.6 The support provided to Operation Moonbeam through the removal of combustible materials prior to bonfire night to prevent fires contributes to a number of key priorities. Community Wealth Building 4.7 There are no implications for community wealth building arising from this report. 5 Consultation 5.1 During Operation Moonbeam the Streetscene service is in constant dialogue with the following partners: • Housing Services and local housing associations • Public Space CCTV and Concierge Service • Police Scotland • Scottish Fire and Rescue RUSSELL McCUTCHEON Executive Director (Place) For more information, please contact Wallace Turpie, Senior Manager Operations (Waste / Streetscene) on 01294 310000 Background Papers 0 48