Item 7a - Police Scrutiny Report Q2 2024
West Dunbartonshire Council · 20 November 2024
Back to Housing & Communities Committee — 20 November 2024 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 West Dunbartonshire Performance Summary Report Reporting Period: April 24 to September 24 Total Crime 1 Crime Incidents Overall Dishonesty Domestic Abuse Incidents +6.2% +1.4% +15.4 +10.3 +18.9 -36.8%* Road Deaths and Serious Injuries -12.9%* Sexual Crime -996*PYTD +30*PYTD, +76*5YR AVG +13*PYTD, +161*5YR AVG +101*PYTD, +86*5YR AVG +71*PYTD, +138*5YR AVG +17*PYTD, +1*5YR AVG -7*on PYTD -275*PYTD Violent Crime Missing Counter Terrorism -23*PYTD -12.8%* -23*PYTD, -20*5YR AVG Common Assault -25.8% Housebreaking Disorder Complaints The National Terrorism Threat level is SUBSTANTIAL This means that an attack is likely. *PYTD = Previous Year to Date *5YR = 5 year average -0.02% -6.8% ITEM 7a
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OFFICIAL SECTION PAGE NUMBER Introduction 2 Executive Summary 3 Demand Analysis 4 Acquisitive Crime 5 Public Protection 6 Road Safety 7 Serious Organized Crime 8 Violence 9 Antisocial Behaviour 10 Public Confidence - Complaints & Allegations 11 Introduction I am pleased to present this performance summary report to the West Dunbartonshire Housing Committee for its information and consideration. The Reporting Period for this report is cumulative for Quarters 1 and 2 of 2024/25, with available figures being shown from 1st April 2024 through to 30th September 2024. Please note that all data included in this report are management information and not official statistics. All data are sourced from Police Scotland internal systems and are correct as of date of publication. Unless stated otherwise numerical comparisons are against the previous year to date and the previous five year average for the same data period specified. Crimes and offences are grouped under recognised categories for statistical purposes. The Scottish Government defines these categories, as follows: Group 1 - Non Sexual Crimes of Violence Group 6 - Miscellaneous Offences Group 2 - Sexual Crimes Group 7 - Offences relating to motor vehicles Group 3 - Crimes of Dishonesty PYTD - Previous Year to Date Group 4 - Fire Raising, Malicious Mischief CYTD - Current Year to Date Group 5 - Other (pro activity) Crimes
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OFFICIAL PRIORITY AREA EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Acquisitive Crime At the end of September 2024, acquisitive crime shows the slight increase of 12 crimes compared to the same period last year. An increase in both shoplifting and mainly online social engineering fraud crime has continued to be offset by reductions in theft by housebreaking at residential properties and common thefts. Public Protection Group 2 sexual crimes have seen an increase of 19% with 107 crimes recorded compared to 90 at the end of September last year. This is largely due to a rise in the number of Rape crimes recorded from 16 to 31 crimes, albeit this has been attributed to an increase in non-recent reporting with more than half of all crimes being non-recent in nature. Road Safety & Road Crime There have been no fatal road traffic collisions within West Dunbartonshire at the end of Qtr. 2, which is a reduction from 1 in the same period last year. Road traffic collisions involving serious injuries have also reduced by over 30% from 18 to 12, and collisions involving slight injuries have decreased from 16 to 13. Serious Organised Crime At the end of September 2024 drugs supply crimes have seen an increase of 9.5% from 43 to 47 crimes while possession charges continue to see a reduction from 330 to 258. Across Argyll & West Dunbartonshire 12 persons linked to serious and organised crime (SAOC) have been arrested and £2,445,484 seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA). Violence & ASB At the end of September 2024, Group 1 crimes of violence have increased with 759 crimes compared to 690 the previous year to date. Anti-social behaviour (ASB) related crimes have risen from 596 to 689, due in part to the increased summer police patrols dealing with the greater visitor numbers equating to: breach of the peace (+39) and also an increase in detections of persons consuming alcohol within a public place (where appropriate bye laws exist (+37). 1. Acquisitive Crime 2. Public Protection 3. Road Safety & Road Crime 4. Serious Organised Crime 5. Violence & Anti-social behaviour WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE POLICING PRIORITIES 2023-2026 DEMAND ANALYSIS - * PYTD - PREVIOUS YEAR TO DATE CYTD - CURRENT YEAR TO DATE
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OFFICIAL CRIME PYTD CYTD INCIDENTS PYTD CYTD Total Crimes & Offences 5255 5254 Total number of incidents 14,682 13,686 The total volume of crimes and offences recorded within West Dunbartonshire has remained fairly consistent when compared to the previous year while the current figure is slightly above (+4.2%) the previous 5-year average. Crimes of violence (+10.3%), sexual crimes (+19%) and acquisitive crimes (+1.4%) continue to see an increase compared to the previous year and are currently above the previous 5-year average which is in line with the post-covid trajectory. Crimes against society such as drug and weapons offences have reduced by 1.2% with the current figure (809) also 4.8% below the previous 5-year average (850). Crimes relating to damage and reckless behaviour have also seen a reduction on last year from 503 to 484 (-19) crimes. Both positive reductions in offence types that have a serious negative impact on society.
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OFFICIAL ACQUISITIVE CRIME Shoplifting crimes have seen the highest increase among acquisitive crime (344 to 415) and remain above the previous 5-year average. This overall year-on-previous year increase has decreased from Q1 from 24% to 20.05%. Year to date, 27 more shoplifting crimes have been detected. This is in line with the national picture. At the end of September 2024, thefts of motor vehicles have increased from 28 to 39 crimes, while the current figure is also 29.1% above the previous 5-year average (30). Approximately 35% of crimes related to taking/driving a vehicle without consent of the owner, while a further 10 crimes involved thefts of motorcycles. The detection rate has increased by 4.9% from 46.4% to 51.3%. There has been an increase in fraud crimes at the end of Qtr. 2 from 102 to 125 crimes, which is above the 5-year average of 100. The increase is largely due to a rise in social engineering frauds (+10) and online market frauds (+10). Both crimes tend to be opportunist in nature. The detection rate for fraud crime is currently low at 8.8%, which is a reduction from 24% PYTD. Perpetrators of such offences generally are based out with the UK. Common thefts have seen a reduction compared to the PYTD from 248 to 241 crimes but remain above the 5-year average of 219. The detection rate has reduced by 7.3% from 31% to 23.7%. The Preventions Team at L Division continue to deliver on-line safety talks to all groups including those more vulnerable, elderly, via Women’s Aid & WD Carers etc. They have issued extensive guidance on both social media and in the hard copy newspapers in an attempt to reach all areas of society. Via our Youth Engagement Officers (YEO), we have put QR code- based posters in schools warning of the dangers of Sextortion type offences and the many pitfalls of being a perpetrator as well as a victim. A very significant individual offender responsible for a high volume of retail thefts, committed predominantly in Dumbarton, has now been identified and is currently remanded in custody for a substantial period of time. Testament to the work of the Town Centre Officers. The area and businesses in the Lomond Shores development were targeted during September, a total of 9 separate acquisitive crimes being committed. After a targeted policing operation, two males were identified and charged with these offences, both are now subject of home curfews which are being robustly policed.
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OFFICIAL The Victim Safeguarding Team established in the previous reporting period is proving to be very effective regarding victim safety. It is allowing victims that additional period of engagement with specialist officers when often historical crimes are being divulged allowing for enquiry to potentially submit a stronger case to COPFS. This will potentially increase crimes reported but for the correct reasons; by identifying and reporting crimes that may previously have gone unreported, this additional support will hopefully increase confidence in the police. The removal of the need for police officers to attend and speak with children residing within the WD Children’s Houses who have returned after being missing, became the accepted policy during this period, and has proved to be very successful, reducing demand on police resources while reducing the risk of any upset being caused to the children. Officers from the Preventions Team are now sitting on the Suicide Prevention Group and are involved in the implementation of a suicide prevention action plan for the area. At the end of September 2024, Group 2 crimes have increased by 18.9% (+17) compared to the same period last year. The increase is largely due to a rise in rape offences, the majority of which are historical reports, from 16 to 32 crimes, while sexual assaults have seen a reduction (-3). Approximately 88% of rape crimes occurred in a private place and 91% were committed by persons known to the victim. Similarly, around 66% of sexual assaults also occurred in a private place with 63% committed by persons known to the victim. Approximately 61% of rape crimes during this reporting period relate to non-recent reports, which is an increase from 55% PYTD. The detection rate for rape crime is currently at 51.6%, while the detection rate for sexual assaults has remained fairly consistent reducing slightly from 51.4% to 50% year on year. Crimes relating to indecent images/communications are currently unchanged compared to last year crimes with the majority being committed by strangers via online platforms. The number of domestic abuse incidents has increased by 15% compared to PYTD from 655 to 756. There has been a 2.7% increase in the crime/incident conversion rate from 47.9% to 50.7%, in 383 of these 756 incidents, a crime has been established. The total number of domestic crimes recorded has risen from 377 to 559 crimes as at the end of Qtr. 2. This shows on occasion, more than a single offence is identified per incident. A total of 156 missing person reports had been recorded by the end of September 2024, which is a reduction of almost 15% from 179 last year. PUBLIC PROTECTION
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OFFICIAL At the end of Qtr. 2, there have been no fatal road collisions in West Dunbartonshire, which is a reduction from 1 in the same period last year. Both serious and slight injuries have also reduced 33.3% from18 to 12 (-6) and 18.75% from 16 to 13 (-3) respectively. Offences relating to motor vehicles have also seen a reduction of 11.6% from 1485 to 1313 (-172), due to a decrease in speeding offences (-131) and unlawful use of motor vehicle offences such as using a motor vehicle without a test certificate and insurance offences (-133). Crimes such as drink/drug driving offences (+33) and vehicle defect offences (+48) have seen slight increases compared to PYTD. Road Traffic Casualties 2023/24 2024/25 Number of persons killed on our roads 1 0 Number of persons seriously injured 18 12 Number of persons slightly injured 16 13 Number of children seriously injured 0 0 The Roads Policing Unit (RPU) based at Dumbarton continue to provide high visibility patrols across the road network covering the main arterial and local road infrastructure. It is believed this policing activity is responsible for the decrease in speeding offences while the increase in drink & drug driving offences and also defect related offences evidences the pro-active policing style of these officers removing dangerous drivers and vehicles from the roads to the benefit of all. The RPU are currently assessing the recent recommendations from the HMICS Inspection of Road Policing to best implement changes to further improve the service being provided. Through the summer months the RPU continued to support the road safety campaigns through the national calendar of activity. This included drink / drug driving, speeding and mobile phones in July and child safety as the children returned to school. They increased road patrols to deal with the increased volume of traffic in the area during the summer months, educating drivers and enforcing the law as appropriate. The National Motorcycle Unit provided support during this period to engage with the large number of motorcyclists over the summer both visiting and passing through the area. On the 25th of August, the Preventions Team, working in partnership with SFRS, West Dunbartonshire Council and The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) staged a Road-Smart event at the West Dunbartonshire offices at Church St. The event involved members of the public either having pre-booked an appointment, or attending on the day, being given a general safety brief and advice around driving styles and standards followed by a supervised drive, in their own vehicle, with a qualified IAM assessor. After driving a pre-agreed route, the assessor provided feedback on driving style and habits to the driver and offered advice on possible adjustments that could improve safety and driving standards. Participants who were younger or less experienced, also took part in a Virtual Reality (VR) headset driving experience where, via the VR headset, they were the passenger in a vehicle that was involved in an accident and they literally had a front seat view of the potential consequences of being distracted at the wheel and some idea of what it is like to be involved in a heavy impact crash. The team are currently planning similar school-based inputs delivered to driving aged children, and those of an age who may be passengers in vehicles, in an attempt to prevent and lower the likelihood of young drivers being involved in road accidents. ROAD SAFETY AND ROAD CRIME
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OFFICIAL Across Argyll & West Dunbartonshire, 12 persons linked to serious and organised crime have been arrested and £2,445,484 has been seized under POCA since 1st April 2024. At the end of September 2024, drug supply charges have increased 9.3% from 43 to 47 crimes and is also slightly above the previous 5-year average (45). Drug possession charges have seen a reduction of 21.8% from 330 to 258. Detective Inspector Lavery has taken charge of the Serious & Organised Crime Team with a focus on targeting Serious & Organised Crime Groups (SOCG) within the Division by working alongside partners such as Trading Standards, Licensing etc in targeted operations to disrupt the criminal activities of these illegal and exploitive enterprises. The figures showing drugs supply crimes having increased from 43 to 47 is testament to the work of this department and the Community Policing Teams who are executing warrants regularly. Such detections can, on occasion, be the result of weeks or months of detailed planned intelligence led operations to identify and apprehend those involved in the supply of controlled drugs. This work is further evidenced by the fact that Across Argyll & West Dunbartonshire 12 persons linked to serious and organised crime (SAOC) have been arrested and £2,445,484 seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA). A very substantial amount of money that will impact on current and planned future criminal activity. Police Scotland have re-launched the Custody Referral Scheme to offer every person in police custody, who require it, the opportunity to be referred to a support agency for drugs or alcohol dependency which may have had a bearing on their behaviour resulting in the arrest. We are facilitating phone or possibly face-to-face consultations, depending on the time of day and availability of staff. We are seeking to provide an appropriate, non-police, counsellor the opportunity to engage with the individual in an attempt to divert that person into counselling to reduce the chance of re-offending while also improving the individual’s health and contribution to society. Every person consenting will be referred by email for subsequent consultation if face- to face interaction is not appropriate for any reason. Reducing the number of people addicted to alcohol and / or drugs is the overall goal, doing so will reduce offending and re-offending stats. SERIOUS & ORGANISED CRIME
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OFFICIAL VIOLENCE & ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR A substantial volume of violent crime is being committed within private dwellings which reduces potential impact from increased police presence in certain areas. We are maximising our visible uniformed presence in any areas identified through analytical work as being more likely to be the location for ASB and / or violence. To date, our officers have conducted 439 searches of individuals for weapons, drugs, stolen property and other items utilising the appropriate legislation while ensuring any search is proportionate and necessary. From these searches, 30.3% have been positive which equates to 133 offences. The increase in the detection rate for robberies to 71.4% highlights the efforts and focus being given to this serious offence. Officers are utilising all appropriate strategies and investigation techniques to ensure we identify and report as many individuals involved in these crimes as possible. Youth Engagement Officers continue to deliver inputs to the youths around personal safety and the negative impact on the community of ASB. Levels of violence in West Dunbartonshire have increased by 10.3% from 688 to 759 (+71) crimes. Just over half of all crimes took place in a private place and 40% of public space crimes were committed by persons known to the victim. Robberies have increased from 15 to 21 crimes, 14 of which occurred in a public place (10 on a public street and 4 at commercial premises). The remaining 7 crimes occurred within a residential premise. Twelve robberies were committed by persons known to the victim and 9 were committed by strangers. The detection rate for robbery has increased from 53.3% to 71.4%, which equates to an additional 7 crimes being detected year on year. Serious assaults have also seen a slight increase from 37 to 44 crimes with crimes being largely spilt 60/40 in terms of public/private space and 66% were committed by persons known to the victim (2 were domestic related). Approximately 45% of crimes were committed with the victim and/or offender being under the influence of alcohol/drugs or both and half of all crimes involved the use of a weapon. The detection rate has remained fairly consistent from 64.9% to 65.1%.
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OFFICIAL Common assaults have increased slightly by 6.2% from 487 to 517 and are currently above the 5-year average (441), while common assaults on police and emergency workers have reduced by 5% compared to PYTD. Common assaults were largely spilt 50/50 in terms of public and private space loci. In 47% of public space crimes, offenders were known to victims. The detection rate for common assaults overall has reduced marginally from 57.7% to 55.5%. Across the recording period the number of ASB related calls to Police Scotland has reduced by approx. 12.3% compared to last year. Group 6 crimes, which include ASB related offences have increased by 16% with 689 crimes recorded compared to 594 PYTD, however the current figure remains 1.2% below the previous 5-year average (698). VIOLENCE & ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR The 5% reduction in assaults on emergency workers is very pleasing, daily briefings are providing advice and warnings to police officers of violent offenders who have, or have made, threats to assault police officers, other emergency workers and staff. This allows officers attending specific addresses, or when dealing with known individuals, to approach situations in the appropriate manner to best protect themselves, colleagues and other members of the public from violent behaviour. Being assaulted is not part of being an emergency worker. The Preventions Team which includes a full-time ASB disclosure officer continue to monitor and collate ASB on a daily basis sharing with all partners involved in the provision of housing. The team are conducting joint visits to individuals who are repeatedly appearing on ASB lists to reduce the prospect of escalation. Our Disclosure Officer has made nearly 300 disclosures during 2024 to housing providers and West Dunbartonshire have successfully applied for, and been granted, four ASB Orders against individuals this year. Restrictions placed on individuals via these orders restrict the likelihood of them being involved in ASB and also increase the police powers to act when an order is breached. We continue to work daily with partners to reduce ASB which continues to show a reduction both against the previous year and against the 5-year average.
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OFFICIAL PUBLIC CONFIDENCE: COMPLAINTS & USER SATISFACTION Overall satisfaction with Police Scotland Police Scotland were in the top five for highest volume of 999 calls received across the UK Police Forces. Average speed of answer for the month of July 2024 was 81% of calls answered within 10 secs. Average Speed of Answer UK Police Scotland 999 Calls 1,091,845 66,288 ASA 9.47 secs 11.26 secs <10s 85.52% 81.1% 10-60s 12.03% 15.9% >60s 2.09% 3.00% Total of 290 responses Chief Inspector Kirsten McLatchie retained an overview of all local policing activity in West Dunbartonshire as Local Area Commander during this reporting period. We have another 10 new Probationary Officers commencing duty on Monday 4th of November in the division who will be followed by a further 5 in December and 10 early in 2025. A substantial resource increase across the estate. User Satisfaction results show that locally, public confidence levels remain high within Argyll and West Dunbartonshire with overall satisfaction levels at 69%, which remains in line with the position in 2022/23. 69% Satisfied/Very Satisfied