Police Scotland
Argyll and Bute Council · 16 August 2023
Back to Oban Lorn & the Isles Area Community Planning Group — 16 August 2023 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL Partners Intelligence Portal Police Scotland is committed to Keeping People Safe. Our priority is on the protection of those at risk of harm through prevention, early intervention and the robust investigation of those who pose such a risk. We are committed to working with our Partners in the public, private and third sectors to ensure our approach to Public Protection is focused, meaningful and collaborative. This commitment allows us to continually improve the service and support provided to victims and their families, whilst working towards protecting those at risk of harm. Crimes such as child sexual abuse, human trafficking, sexual offences or domestic offences are often concealed from authorities, and may have occurred recently or in the past, all of which contributes to challenging, complex and sensitive enquiries. It may be that our partners have information which could be vital in contributing to a bigger picture. As part of our commitment and drive to improve, we are expanding the use of the Partners Intelligence Portal (PIP) through awareness and training to relevant organisations. PIP is a secure and confidential electronic system, developed by the Police Service to enable partner agencies to share important information they receive during the course of their work. This portal provides capable partners with the means to securely and discreetly submit key information, whilst maintaining safeguards which protect the source of the information. PIP is an information collection portal, and does not replace current incident or crime reporting methods, in particular the mechanism for child or adult referral. PIP is a tool which should enhance the procedures already in place for all. The information provided through the PIP portal will be dealt with as intelligence by Police Scotland. Intelligence is the useable form of information which has been subject to recognised processes to risk assess and determine how freely it can be used. This process is aimed at developing information around the threat, risk and harm posed by perpetrators and locations. By trying to capture what you already see, hear and know it will provide invaluable opportunities to target those who pose risk and protect those at risk of harm. The key aim is to provide a safe and secure pathway for Partner Agencies to share information that they believe the police need to know about in the investigation and prevention of crime. This training has been delivered to a number of housing associations in Oban, Lorn and the Isles and we will continue to roll this out wider. If you require any further information please contact ArgyllDumbartonshireCommunityEngagementTeam@scotland.police.uk Youth Engagement Choices for Life presentations were delivered to all S1 pupils from Oban High School which included inputs on Water and Fire safety, Hate crime and LGBT awareness, Drugs and Alcohol awareness, Weapons input (No Knives Better Lives), Internet safety and cyber bullying. This is on the back of inputs done within the Campbeltown area at the beginning of the year. Such inputs are crucial in helping the young people are Argyll make the best choices for their own lives as they start to socialise with friends away from the support of parental control. The importance of these decisions can be seen in Oban, where reports have increased during the early summer of anti-social behaviour involving a small number of young persons in Oban and particularly around Station Square. Patrols have been stepped up by officers in the town, who have
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL been seizing alcohol from some teenagers and dispersing groups that have been involved in causing alarm to nearby residents and visitors. During July, four young people were arrested despite a number of warnings, due to the severity of their behaviour and subsequently referred to the Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration (SCRA). Police are working closely with local partners to identify those involved and take action where necessary as well as signposting some of those involved to more meaningful activities provided by a variety of third sector organisations. As well as this, options are being explored for additional CCTV in Station Square. Residents are encouraged to report anti- social behaviour to Police Scotland to ensure all incidents are being formally recorded and responded to. Similar initiatives, but to a lesser degree, are in place both in Lochgilphead and Campbeltown where youth related ASB has occurred. Local Police monitor trends in behaviour, shown through calls for service from members of the public, to implement targeted responses to the problems communities face. Fraud Prevention An input was delivered to the Mull Musical Minds group which include a number of people with lived experience of dementia. This talk educated the group on the common scams that are being used and how to keep themselves safe from these scams. As previously discussed by PC Laura Evans in this forum, should any groups wish for an input on common scams and frauds, please, link with either PS Shaw or PC Evans and we’ll endeavour to get one sorted for you. Pedlar Act July saw a spike in an unusual crime type within OLI and MAKI, whereby a coordinated group of visitors to the area sought to engage our more rural communities with doorstep selling, in contravention of the Pedlars Act 1871. The reason such laws are in place is due to the pressure techniques used against residents during such selling and the fact that such acts tend to go hand in hand with dishonesty offences, such as thefts, rogue trading and frauds. Over 2 days Police responded to multiple calls and arrested 3 different people. This response was assisted by use of media to spread awareness of the issue taking place, whereby the communities then fed back timely information to permit action by our Officers. The response and support from the public meant that the group quickly moved on from the area, realising that it was not possible to continue their activities without sanction. This is a strong example of the strength the communities in Argyll have in tackling issues like this, when we all pull together to tackle it.