Item 7A - Q4 2022-23 Police Scrutiny Report
West Dunbartonshire Council · 3 May 2023
Back to Housing & Communities Committee — 3 May 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 - ITEM 7A OFFICIAL Figures recorded as at the end of Feb 2023 show the total number of Group 1 crimes has fallen, with 1 fewer crime recorded compared to the PYTD. The current figure of 171 remains above the previous 5 year average (149.6). While serious assaults have reduced by 14.1% from 78 to 67, this has been offset by a slight increase in robberies which have risen from 17 to 21 (+4). Crimes relating to Human Trafficking have increased by 5 but a full and robust victim centred approach is delivered in conjunction with our partners. Abduction has risen by 7, 5 of these crimes occurred in private space with 3 being domestic related. Across Argyll & West Dunbartonshire 24 persons linked to serious and organised crime have been arrested and £132,665 seized under POCA as at the end ofFeb 2023. Compared to the same period last year, the total number of bogus crimes recorded within West Dunbartonshire has decreased from 70 to 58 crimes. 81% (n=47) of all bogus crimes recorded related to social engineering frauds involving scam phone calls/emails. 11 crimes related to bogus workmen/callers. At the end of Feb 2023 acquisitive crimes show a 7.4% increase compared to the same period last year (+94), although the current figure (1358) remains below the previous 5 year average (1446). Housebreaking crimes have increased slightly by 5.4% (+7) due to a rise in domestic HBs from 77 to 98 (+21). More than half of all HB offences at domestic dwellings related to attempted HB or HBWI with no property being stolen. Vehicle crimes have also increased by 13.3% (+12) due to a rise in thefts from motor vehicles from 27 to 40 crimes however this is largely due to a spate of crimes involving one repeat offender. Fraud crimes have increased by 21.8% from 193 to 235, remaining considerably above the previous 5 year average (n=142.4). Online market frauds have seen the highest increase year on year (+13), followed by identity frauds (+11) and those involving unpaid taxi fares (+10). Common thefts and shopliftings have also increased by 4.8% (n=18) and 11.4% (n=41) respectively. Much of the increase in common thefts is due to a rise in thefts of fuel. Figures as at the end of Feb 2023 show drugs supply crimes have reduced by 15.5% from 84 to 71. Drug possession crimes also reduced slightly by 2.7% from 591 to 575. Both figures remain below the previous 5 year average. Figures as at the end of Feb 2023, show a 26.5% increase in the total number of road traffic offences recorded within West Dunbartonshire from 2196 to 2777. The current figure also remains 29.8% above the previous 5 year average (2139). Speeding offences have seen the highest increase from 364 to 727 crimes (+363), while using a motor vehicle without a test certificate and seat belt offences have also risen from 393 to 442 (+49) and 41 to 121 (+80) respectively. Insurance, mobile phone and careless driving offences have seen a reduction year on year. Set against figures recorded at the end of Feb 2022, Group 2 sexual crimes have reduced by 11.7% with 188 crimes recorded compared to 213 (-25). Recorded Rape crimes have reduced from 42 to 34 (- 8), while sexual assaults have also decreased by 20.9% from 86 to 68 year on year. Approx. 72% of all sexual assaults occurred within a private space, with just over half relating to non-recent reports and 16% being domestic related. Crimes relating to indecent images/communications have also reduced from 71 to 59 crimes with 64% being committed by strangers to the victim. The overall detection rate for Group 2 sexual crime has seen a notable increase from 43.7% to 63.3% compared to Feb last year, the current rate is also above the previous 5 year average (45.5%). The detection rate for indecent/sexual assault has increased significantly from 33.7% to 83.8% (+28 crimes), largely due to retrospective detections. The detection rate for rape crime has also improved slightly from 34.1% to 38.2%. At the end of Feb 2023, 303 missing person reports had been recorded which is an increase of 31% from 232 in the PYTD period. The increase is due to a rise in the number of MP reports relating to children and looked after children which have risen from 93 to 184 year on year. Figures recorded at the end of Feb 2022 show a reduction of 10.9% in domestic abuse incidents from 1268 to 1130 (-138) which is 8.6% below the previous 5 year average. Domestic abuse crimes have also seen a reduction of 9.3% from 810 to 735 (-75), although the current figure (735) remains slightly above the previous 5 year average (n=727). In total 93 cyber-crimes had been recorded within West Dunbartonshire as at the end of Feb 2023, which is a significant reduction from 253 in the same period last year. Cyber-Enabled frauds account for 56% of all crimes recorded (n=52) in 2022/23, whilst 16 crimes related to threatening and abusive messages on social media and 14 to indecent images or communication. User Satisfaction results show that in Argyll & West Dunbartonshire public confidence levels remain high with overall satisfaction levels at 72.8%. At the end of Feb 2023, 104 complaints against the police had been recorded within West Dunbartonshire which is a marginal reduction from 109 last year. The number of allegations against officers has also seen a marginal reduction year on year from 186 to 181. Compared to last year, the detection rate for Group 1 crime overall has reduced slightly from 67.4% to 64.9% (-5 crimes) and is below the previous 5 year average (73.3%). The detection rate for serious assaults has reduced marginally from 70.5% last year to 70.1% (-8 crimes) and for robbery from 76.5% to 71.4%, albeit 2 more crimes have been detected. The detection rate for common assault remains 7.3% higher than last year at 71.7% and is slightly above the previous 5 year average (67.3%). ASB incidents continue to show a noticeable downward trend, largely due to a decrease in public nuisance incidents. Complaints relating to disorder have also reduced by 24.5% (-1049). ASB related crimes have seen a decrease of 7.5% (-181) and remain 10.5% below the previous 5 year average. Common assaults have seen a marginal increase of 1.5% (n=14) largely due to a rise in assaults on police and emergency workers which have risen from 133 to 148 (+15) year on year. There were no fatal road traffic collisions within West Dunbartonshire during Qtr. 4. As at end Feb 2023, road casualties show a slight increase overall with 51 recorded compared to 46 in the PYTD. Fatalities remain unchanged from PYTD (n=2), serious injuries have reduced slightly from 17 to 14 and slight injuries have increased from 27 to 35. The number of incidents recorded in West Dunbartonshire where an adult concern has been raised has reduced by 19.6% from 1742 to 1401 compared to figures recorded as at the end of Feb 2022. Child concerns have also shown a reduction of 7.2% from 3636 to 3373. I T E W i t e m t I
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL Empowered Residents Safe (Communities) Nurtured (Children & Young People Flourishing Local Economy Independent (Older People) Local Policing A Retailers Day of Action has been planned for May in Dumbarton. This day offers a range of specialist inputs for all retailers, and will include speakers from Retailers against Crime who are a national partnership helping to detect and prevent crime. Our Community Officers arrested a male for breaking into a number of vehicles in the Clydebank area. The male now has specific Bail conditions and a curfew to remain within his dwelling overnight. Having identified a rise in ASB within the area of Clyde Shopping centre our town centre community officers have created a bespoke action plan working with partners at WDC and town centre management to identify those responsible. Our Officers are working with the youth engagement team to assist with identification so that we can share this information with partners who can consider diversionary options and provide support and a resolution to the community. LGBT History Month During February, local officers reached out to our LGBT+ communities to demonstrate that policing is more inclusive than ever before highlighting our commitment to creating an inclusive and equal environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people living and working in West Dunbartonshire. Road Safety Inputs have been provided to Police Scotland Youth Volunteers and local schools around road safety including how to be a safe pedestrian and encourage safer road use by those in vehicles. Our Roads policing team based in Dumbarton continue to proactively police our roads highlighting dangers and positively influencing driver behaviour and decision making. Naloxone Roll Out The roll-out of Naloxone to our officers across Argyll and West Dunbartonshire is complete. The intra-nasal sprays can reverse life-threatening opioid-related overdoses, and are being issued to all constables, sergeants and inspectors across Scotland to supplement their existing extensive first aid training. Since officers in Scotland started to carry Naloxone, it has been administered 128 times (correct as of 24/2/23), with positive outcomes on all but 5 of the incidents. Shut out Scammers The Preventions Team have attended numerous Community groups to offer advice and guidance around cyber related fraud and have undertaken the “Scam Savey Quiz” which is directed at the more vulnerable in the community so they are aware of potential fraudsters. Partnership against Rural Crime The first Partnership against Rural Crime meeting of 2023 took place with partners from across West Dunbartonshire and Argyll and Bute. The livestock worrying campaign was promoted in the run up to lambing season. Water Safety Police Scotland in partnership with Scottish Fire and Rescue Service delivered water safety talks to the pupils of local primary and secondary schools. This is paramount to improving safety around our rivers, waterways and lochs, particularly in the approach to summer. Vulnerable Victim Facility – Dumbarton Police Station Dumbarton Police Station opened a new suite used for Video Recorded Interviews of vulnerable people following criminal incidents. This suite can be utilised to interview child victims, victims of rape and serious sexual offences, and domestic abuse. It can also be utilised as a place of safety compliant with ACRA legislation. Dementia Safeguarding Scheme launched The Dementia Safeguarding Tags have now been launched across West Dunbartonshire. They are designed for people living with dementia, who have gone out of their home for a purpose, but then become lost or confused whilst out in their community. The tags are carried on the person’s keys, clothing, walking aid, and purse/wallet and can be scanned by any member of the public by tapping it against their phone. The only personal data contained is the person’s name and their emergency contact details. Operation Iridescent – Large scale disorder A robust and proportionate policing repose was provided after large scale disorder incidents took place in Bonhill, Dumbarton. A prolific online vigilante group targeted local individuals and their families. It was clear during this investigation that these individual had an utter disregard for the consequences of their actions. A total of 16 individuals have been identified and reported to COPFS with many of them now subject to strict Bail conditions. Since these arrests we have had no further incidents of a similar nature. Operation Audible – Murder Tontine Park A major investigation was launched following the murder of a 40 year old male in Tontine Park Alexandria on 25th March. A male aged 42 has been arrested and has been remanded in custody pending trial. This incident did not present a threat to the local community. ASB Partnership and Engagement We remain open and visible to partners and Elected Members in dealing with ASB complaints across WDC. We seek to identify and respond effectively with partners to ongoing acts of ASB. This includes fire setting, neighbour complaints, youth disorder and responding to our night time economy. *Both Operation Iridescent and Audible are not covered on the stats on page one as these incidents occurred in March. Forward Look: Operation Ballaton (summer safety plan for Balloch Park) Water Safety Retailers Day of Action Shut Out Scammers Month Community Policing summer action plans Plans to reduce violence Plans to reduce acquisitive crime