Item 7a - Police Scotland Scrutiny Report - Q1
West Dunbartonshire Council · 21 August 2024
Back to Housing & Communities Committee — 21 August 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 June 24 Total Crime 453 Crimes Incidents Overall Dishonesty Domestic Abuse Incidents +3% +5% +0.8% +6.2% -3.3% -62.5%* Road Deaths and Serious Injuries -16.1%* Sexual Crime -710*PYTD +8*PYTD, +49*5YR AVG +21*PYTD, +54*5YR AVG +3*PYTD, +11*5YR AVG +23*PYTD, +78*5YR AVG -2*PYTD, +7*5YR AVG -5*on PYTD -179*PYTD Violent Crime Missing Counter Terrorism -17*PYTD -17.3%* -9*PYTD, -13*5YR AVG Common Assault -24.3% 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 -16.8% -9.3% 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 to 4 of 2024/25, with available figures being shown from 1st April 2024 through to 30th June 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 June 2024, acquisitive crime shows the slight increase of 21 crimes compared to the same period last year. An increase in both shoplifting and mainly online social engineering fraud crime has been offset to some degree by a reduction in theft by housebreaking of both residential and business properties. Public Protection Group 2 sexual crimes have seen a marginal reduction of 3.3% with 58 crimes recorded compared to 60 at the end of June last year. The number of Rape crimes recorded has risen slightly from 11 to 15, while sexual assaults have decreased over 30% from 22 to 16 year on year. Road Safety & Road Crime There have been no fatal road traffic collisions within West Dunbartonshire at the end of Qtr. 1, which is a reduction from 1 in the same period last year. Road traffic collisions involving serious injuries have also reduced from 7 to 3, and collisions involving slight injuries have decreased from 9 to 6. Serious Organised Crime At the end of June 2024 both drugs supply and possession crimes have seen notable reductions from 29 to 22 and 197 to 120 respectively. Across Argyll & West Dunbartonshire 6 persons linked to serious and organised crime (SAOC) have been arrested and £301,847 seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA). Violence & ASB At the end of June 2024, Group 1 crimes of violence have increased with 394 crimes compared to 371 the previous year to date, while anti-social behaviour (ASB) related crimes have remained relatively consistent from 301 to 298. The minimal change in ASB crimes is pleasing given this reporting period covers the start of the better weather and increased visitor numbers. 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
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OFFICIAL CRIME PYTD CYTD INCIDENTS PYTD CYTD Total Crimes & Offences 2691 2238 Total number of incidents 7604 6894 DEMAND ANALYSIS - * PYTD - PREVIOUS YEAR TO DATE CYTD - CURRENT YEAR TO DATE The total volume of crimes and offences recorded within West Dunbartonshire has reduced by 16.8% from the previous year and is also 12.7% below the previous 5-year average. Despite the overall reduction there has been increases in crimes of violence (+6%), acquisitive crimes (+5%) and crimes pertaining to damage and reckless behaviour (+7.9%) 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 weapons have reduced by 14.6% with the current figure (381) also 12.9% below the previous 5-year average (437.2).
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OFFICIAL ACQUISITIVE CRIME Shoplifting crimes have seen the highest increase among acquisitive crime (141 to 174) and remain above the previous 5-year average. Year to date there have been an increase in detection rates, 23 more shoplifting crimes have been detected. This is in line with the national picture across the rest of the Force. At the end of June 2024, housebreakings at domestic dwelling have reduced by 10 crimes, while both non dwelling and commercial properties have also marginally decreased. The detection rate for housebreaking is currently at 39.3%, which is a marked increase from 10.8% PYTD and above the 5-year average of 24.4%. There has been an increase in fraud crimes at the end of Qtr. 1 from 49 to 69 crimes, which is above the 5-year average of 48.4. The increase is largely due to a rise in social engineering frauds (+9) and bank account takeovers (+5). These crimes tend to be opportunist in nature. The detection rate for fraud crime is currently low at 10.1%, which is a reduction from 24% PYTD. Perpetrators of such offences generally are based out with the UK. Common thefts have remained relatively consistent compared to the PYTD from 121 to 124 crimes, which remains above the 5-year average of 105.4. The detection rate has reduced by 7.3% from 33.1% to 25.8%. Retail crime remains a priority for the division and dedicated town centre patrols are engaging with retailers as are the Preventions Team based at Dumbarton. We are working with local businesses offering advice to retailers on product placement and shop layout. We have increased our shoplifting detection rate by 5.1%. The Preventions Team has liaised with COPFS at Dumbarton regarding some recent repeat shoplifting offenders and have now submitted the first of a number of Criminal Anti-Social Behaviour Order (CRASBO) applications for consideration upon conviction. These will be specific to the offender profile and will request that individuals are excluded from entering certain retail areas in the town centres as deemed both appropriate and proportionate. The Preventions team at Dumbarton have engaged with RBS Digital Skills Team to arrange joint community inputs addressing current fraudulent practices, known and new scams being experienced while providing advice and guidance on how to best protect oneself from being the victim of fraud. Government funding has allowed for 1000 ‘DOT’ magazines to be acquired for distribution across the locality, the ‘DOT’ magazine covers everything digital skills related. Social media criminality continues to target a main victim group aged 30-45.
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OFFICIAL The Divisional Domestic Abuse Unit are now applying the MARAC risk assessment process to all outstanding domestic enquiry packages. Any victim who has been previously, or is currently, being referred via MARAC, regardless of the nature of the most recent offence, will have the enquiry to which they relate escalated as a priority for detection and arrest of any known perpetrator to minimise any risk. The newly established Victim Safeguarding Team at Clydebank PPU are ensuring daily scrutiny and review of all domestic incidents, concern reports & DAQ scores. Scores of 14+ are referred to MARAC, however scores below that threshold will now also be subject of professional judgement and referred if a level of concern justifies such further action. Agreement is now in place to cease return visits for looked after children who have returned after being reported missing. House staff will conduct any return interview after having now been trained, they in-turn will inform police, no police attendance is required unless any concern raised, minimising potential upset and disruption within the houses while also having a positive impact on current police resource demand. At the end of June 2024, Group 2 crimes show a marginal reduction of 3.3% (-2) compared to the same period last year. Despite the overall reduction rape crimes have risen slightly from 11 to 15, while sexual assaults have decreased by 12.1% from 22 to 16 crimes. Approximately 80% of rape crimes occurred in a private place and 87% were committed by persons known to the victim. Similarly, around 73% of sexual assaults also occurred in a private place with 62% committed by persons known to the victim. Approximately 54% of sexual assaults and 66.7% of rapes during this reporting period relate to non-recent reports. The detection rate for rape crime has increased by 31.2% and is currently at 85.7%, while the detection rate for sexual assaults has also risen from 45.5% to 68.8% year on year. Crimes relating to indecent images/communications have reduced slightly from 17 to 13 crimes with the majority being committed by strangers to the victim. The number of domestic abuse incidents has increased by 6% compared to PYTD from 336 to 356, while the number of crimes recorded have also risen from 166 to 193 crimes as at the end of Qtr. 1. There has also been a 4.8% increase in the crime/incident conversion rate from 49.4% to 54.2% A total of 81 missing person reports have been recorded by the end of June 2024, which is a reduction from 98 last year. PUBLIC PROTECTION
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OFFICIAL At the end of Qtr. 1, 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 from 7 to 3 (-4) and 9 to 6 (-3) respectively. Road Traffic Casualties 2023/24 2024/25 Number of persons killed on our roads 1 0 Number of persons seriously injured 7 3 Number of persons slightly injured 9 6 Number of children seriously injured 0 0 Throughout the Q1 reporting period the Roads Policing Unit (RPU) have provided support to West Dunbartonshire in respect of road safety with campaigns through the national calendar of activity. Within this period activity was via the Fatal 5 campaign which includes activity focussing on careless driving, drink/drug driving, use of seatbelts, mobile phone use and speeding. In addition to these activities, we have been involved in weekends of action aimed at the use of motorbikes, child safety week and cycle space. Dedicated patrols were carried out with marked and unmarked vehicles in the area, and we were pleased with the buy-in and general compliance from local drivers. In the period there have been zero road deaths within West Dunbartonshire. Through the period RPU officers, who carry out invaluable daily patrols, were involved in the detection of an individual found in possession of an imitation firearm. RPU worked alongside Local Policing colleagues to ensure the male was apprehended and reported to the Procurator Fiscal for a variety of offences. The Preventions Team have engaged with WDC and the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) to hold a road safety event within the WD facility in Dumbarton providing advice and guidance around driver behaviours. This will include drivers of both cars and motorbikes being given the opportunity to drive, or ride a motorbike, while shadowed by an IAM advanced driver assessor who will provide feedback and advice on that individual’s driving manner. Motorbike riders are assessed via headset by a following IAM rider. Set for 25th August. We, at Police Scotland, are seeking to maintain the current reduction in both serious and slight injury collisions across the area. ROAD SAFETY AND ROAD CRIME
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OFFICIAL Across Argyll & West Dunbartonshire, 6 persons linked to serious and organised crime have been arrested and £301,847 has been seized under POCA since 1st April 2024. At the end of June 2024, drug supply charges have reduced slightly from 29 to 22 crimes and is also slightly below the previous 5-year average (27.8). Drug possession charges have also seen a reduction of 39% from 197 to 120. We continue to focus on those involved in the supply of controlled drugs and other higher-level criminality and the seizure of over £300,000 since April is a very significant part of what we are doing. Such seizures are the culmination of months of police work. We strongly believe this cash would have been re-invested into further criminal enterprise to cause additional and ongoing misery and hurt to those individuals from whom these unscrupulous gangs prosper. Although the total number of detections for drug supply have fallen, there have been some very significant detections, some of which are very prolonged and resource intensive enquiries. Such operations can impact on the volume of work elsewhere but have significant impact at a local level and are very important in breaking the supply chain. Examples of our work during this reporting period include: A cannabis cultivation detected and removed from Clydebank with a conservative street value placed on the plants seized being over £162,000. A forensic line of enquiry ongoing to detect those responsible. After a protracted enquiry, the principal nominal from a OCG was arrested and remanded and is subject of 16 separate charges involving theft HB, HBWI, and theft of motor vehicles. Offences centred around the theft of plant and machinery valued at £219,000. Since this arrest a further two members of the group have been arrested on petition warrants. A warrant was executed in the Dalreoch area, stolen property to the value of £20,000 recovered and 6 dogs seized by the SSPCA. SERIOUS & ORGANISED CRIME
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OFFICIAL VIOLENCE During this period, we established a temporary Violence Reduction Unit. These officers focussed on violent offenders and known weapon carriers. During this period, we have seen a decrease in serious assaults which we attribute, at very least, in part to the dedicated work of this team. Although robbery crimes disappointingly increased, the presence of this team allowed for a rapid deployment of dedicated resources to best capture all evidence streams including witnesses. This has resulted in the detection rate for such offences to rise from 44.4% to a very significant increase of 85.7%. The substantial rise in stalking type offences have been, with the exception of a single crime, committed within private dwellings and are within the domestic setting. It is notable that victims of such behaviours now have the confidence to report the matter to Police Scotland. We continue to work closely with all partners within the WD VAWG Group where we continue to seek new projects and methods of working to best protect the women and girls of the area. Levels of violence in West Dunbartonshire have increased slightly by 6.2% from 371 to 394 (+23) crimes. Just over half of all crimes took place in a private place and 42% of public space crimes were committed by persons known to the victim. Stalking offences have seen a notable increase with 9 crimes recorded at the end of Qtr. 1 compared to 1 last year. Eight of the 9 crimes occurred within a private space and were domestic related with victims largely being harassed by ex-partners through frequent and unwanted phone calls and text messages. Robberies have also seen a notable increase (from 9 to 14) Nine out of the 14 robberies occurred in a public place (5 on a public street and 4 at commercial premises). The remaining 5 crimes occurred within a residential premise. Eight robberies were committed by persons known to the victim and 6 were committed by strangers. The detection rate for robbery has increased from 44.4% to 85.7%, which equates to an additional 8 crimes being detected year on year.
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OFFICIAL Common assaults have increased marginally by 3% from 263 to 271 and are currently above the 5-year average (222.4), while common assaults on police and emergency workers have reduced by 17.3%. Common assaults were largely spilt 50/50 in terms of public and private space loci. In 50% of public space crimes, offenders were known to victims. The detection rate for common assaults overall has increased slightly from 60% to 63%. Across the recording period the number of ASB related calls to Police Scotland has reduced by approx. 12% compared to last year. Group 6 crimes, which include ASB related offences have remained fairly consistent with 298 crimes recorded compared to 301 PYTD, while the current figure is also 27.4% below the previous 5 year average (410). ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR Through increased diligence and a change to the National Officer Safety Training, which all officers attend annually, the number of assaults on emergency workers, the vast bulk of these being against police officers, has reduced by over 17%. This reduces the likelihood of injury and associated absence which has an impact on the individual and also the force as a whole. Our annual Operation Ballaton, which is a partnership approach to dealing with the vast increase in numbers attending the Balloch and south Loch Lomond areas through the summer months, has been stood up during this period. It is a well-versed operation that includes input and resourcing from Police, SFRS, BTP, WD, The National Park and Scotrail. It has been very successful in pro-actively dealing with issues at an early stage minimising any potential negative impact on local residents and visitors alike. We also have a focus on youth offending within the general Clydebank Shopping Centre area via an ongoing action plan and resource commitment. We continue to work closely with WD ASB & Housing Teams to address the causes of ASB, be that individuals or specific addresses. Police and Housing staff are pro-actively attending at addresses of persons who are starting to cause issue and offer guidance, and warning where appropriate, of what action can be taken should levels of ASB not decrease. The 12% reduction in ASB calls during this reporting period is significant and equates to a substantial drop in victims coupled with a reduction on demand for police and other emergency services.
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OFFICIAL PUBLIC CONFIDENCE: COMPLAINTS & USER SATISFACTION Overall satisfaction with Police Scotland User Satisfaction results show that locally, public confidence levels remain high within Argyll and West Dunbartonshire with overall satisfaction levels at 68%, which is in line with the position in 2022/23. As an example of our current demand, Police Scotland were in the top five for highest volume of 999 calls received in the UK with 77.90% of calls answered within 10 secs. Average Speed of Answer UK Police Scotland 999 Calls 1,059,460 68,529 ASA 9.53 secs 12.12 secs <10s 84.98% 77.90% 10-60s 12.91% 18.60% >60s 2.09% 3.50% Total of 144 responses Chief Inspector Kirsten McLatchie retains an overview of all local policing activity in West Dunbartonshire as Local Area Commander. Our latest intake of 14 new probationers to Argyll & West Dunbartonshire Policing Division are now out serving the communities. We also have another 10 new recruits that are currently undergoing initial training at SPC prior to their deployment also within L Division. Our Your Police Survey is the only survey of its kind in UK policing and is high quality in design, accessible, robust and statistically relevant. The Research and Insight team continually assess and evaluate our results and benchmark to other UK surveys and engagement, such as those carried out by Scottish Government, MOPAC and YouGov.