Democracy Spraffa

Item 12 - SAFE DIG

West Dunbartonshire Council · 15 August 2024
Back to Community Planning West Dunbartonshire Management Board — 15 August 2024 and its agenda

Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.

Original council PDF · Download plain text

Page 1

OFFICIAL 
OFFICIAL
Management Board Meeting
Development and Improvement Groups (DIGs): Highlights and Issues Report
FOR INFORMATION ONLY x
FOR DECISION
Name of DIG Safe DIG
Date of report 05/08/2024
Name and email of lead contact Supt Jon Harris
Jonathan.harris@scotland.police.uk
1 Highlights of activity and progress since last meeting
On 7/5/2024 and 1/8/2024 the SafeDIG met under the chair of Supt Jon Harris. The
previous action plan was reviewed and measures were clarified for all of the activities
retained. 
The above meetings brought the group meetings back into sequence. The next
meeting has now been arranged to provide sufficient time following the meeting for
this update to be provided to the Committee Officer prior to the Management Board
Meeting. A regular meeting can then be established.
Actions continue to be refined and allocated as required. Efforts will be made to
consolidate actions to prevent duplication of effort or reporting. This will provide a
natural flow of information and tasking through the meeting hierarchy to the CPWD
Executive group. The latest meeting confirmed the actions and some will be
expanded to provide a wider range of tangible measures.
Work is ongoing to upload the SafeDIG actions onto Pentana to allow easy
identification of actions and progression towards milestones. Now obsolete actions
on Pentana are being deleted or amalgamated into the current actions.
Initial deployments of Operation Ballaton, have been very successful and well-
received increasing Police and Partner presence across Balloch, Luss and the
surrounding areas including on Loch Lomond. The deployments are gauged against
weather, events and any other impact factors that may cause an increase in visitor
numbers to ensure maximum efficiency. Weekly multi-agency meetings continue to
assess the needs and best resourcing plan.
The VAWG awareness training package for taxi license applicants is being finalized
and it is hoped this will become a mandatory part of the application process. Training
being developed by Police Scotland, VAWG and Medics Against Violence. 
ITEM 12

Page 2

OFFICIAL 
OFFICIAL
Police Scotland are funding a VAWG poster competition within WDC schools to raise
awareness of the subject amongst younger persons. 
The Road Safety events with input and advice from Police Scotland, SFRS and
Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has been designed and events in Argyll & Bute
have been highly successful. An event is now scheduled for West Dunbartonshire
Offices, Church Street on 25/08/2024 and the support of WDC is appreciated. 
Police Scotland, SFRS, LLTNP, LLRB, WD Leasure and WD Education attended a
primary school open water swim event at Lomond Shores on 19/06/2024. The
children, having attended swimming lessons at VOL Leisure, were given the
opportunity to swim in the loch wearing appropriate wetsuits etc. Thereafter the partner
agencies were able to engage with the children and discuss the dangers of open
water. Organized primarily by WD Leisure.   
The British Sign Language (BSL) action plan 20230-2029 is being implemented. The
plan focusses on ten priority areas with emphasis on children, young people and their
families, health and wellbeing, celebrating deaf culture and tackling accessibility for
BSL users that impacts on a number of areas such as transport, democratic
participation and access to justice. BSL users should be considered in any media
strategy. 
SFRS are exploring the use and safety issues surrounding the use, storage and
charging of electric mobility vehicles within residential properties, be that single or
multiple occupancy properties. This work will also cover the storage and charging of E-
scooters and E-bikes, the use of which is on the increase.   
SFRS are also assessing the feasibility of re-commencing the ‘Fire Skills Groups’
aimed at youths involved in, and on the periphery of, ASB and fire starting. 
SFRS are increasing contact with community groups and in doing so increasing the
volume of fire safety visits requested. These visits are dealt with as a priority due to
the source of the referral. There is scope to increase the volume of fire safety referrals
relating to youths being housed for the first time, persons being released from custody
into the community and care release individuals.             
National Drowning Prevention Day took place at Lomond Shores on 25/07/24 with
representation from all PAWS group partner agencies in attendance. A very important
event for the area, moving from Falkirk in 2023. It is estimated 3600 people attended
the event and there was positive media coverage.

Page 3

OFFICIAL 
OFFICIAL 
2 Outline of any issues/risks and how these are being managed
The current action plan has been written with cognisance to the prevailing financial
landscape, however it is recognized that this is a time of uncertainty and certain
levels of funding may reduce or be removed throughout the period of the actions
rendering them unachievable. It is therefore incumbent on the SafeDIG to be realistic
with the actions and adjust them as required.
The level of absence and annual leave amongst key partners has reduced the
volume of attendees and updates at the latest SafeDIG, limiting the detail in
response. 
3 Outline of the main outputs expected before next meeting
It is anticipated that the first WDC located Road Safety event will have competed
successfully and planning for 2025 events will be commenced.
Police Scotland to engage with ASB Tasking Forum to agree actions and required
support.
Ensure Community Justice actions are expanded to include wider activities beyond
Youth Justice that are measurable and partnership focused.
A current list of Domestic Abuse third party reporting centres will be complete and
circulated. This information will be circulated on social media and the volume of
referrals measured.
The actions allocated to the Substance Use Prevention Group will be further refined,
with additional specific, measurable objectives identified.
Police Scotland continues to support GCCNHST to deliver the actions of the Suicide
Prevention Group which continue to be defined.
British Transport Police are to be invited to future SafeDIG given their important work
keeping the rail network safe.
Polic Scotland will ensure they are represented at the West Dunbartonshire Equality
Forum.

Page 4

OFFICIAL 
OFFICIAL
4 What are your requirements of partners in the Community Planning Management
Board?
Support from WDC for the upcoming Road Safety Event in Dumbarton.
HSCP to support the Daniel Spargo-Mabbs Foundation educational presentation.
Police Scotland to identify additional nearby Local authorities that may also be
interested.
WDC to confirm media strategy promoting public / active travel has been
implemented and provide measures as June 2024 completion date has passed. 
5 Please outline any good news story you wish to share
See activity section.