Argyll & Bute Local Policing Plan 2020-2023) - Quarterly Report (Qtr4 - 2022/23)
Argyll and Bute Council · 8 June 2023
Back to Community Services Committee — 8 June 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 At the end of Feb 2023, Group 1 crimes of violence show a 42.9% increase with 130 crimes recorded, an increase of 39 compared to the previous year. The current figure is also 58.3% above the previous 5 year average. The increase is primarily due to a rise in serious assaults and domestic abuse crimes from 34 to 45 crimes (+11) and 18 to 31 (+13), respectively. Serious assault are also 28.6% above the previous 5 year average (n=35). Crimes relating to threats and extortion increased from 13 to 22 YTD, above the 5 year average of 5.4. 95% (n=21) of extortion offences were committed online with no physical violence involved. These related to threats to publish indecent images of victims unless a sum of money was paid. In 15 crimes the offender originated from out with the UK. 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 of Feb 2023. As a result of increased pro-activity drugs supply crimes have increased by 50% with 33 crimes recorded compared to 22 the previous year, but the figure remains 24% below the previous 5 year average (43.4). This additional focus has resulted in Drug possession charges increasing by 25% from 289 to 361, which is 2.4% above the previous 5 year average. As at the end of Feb 2023, the total number of offences recorded in A&B relating to motor vehicles increased by 5.6% to 2143 from 2029 in the PYTD but remains 4 below the previous 5 year average. Drink/drug driving offences have seen the highest increase (+51), followed by careless and dangerous driving offences with 257 recorded compared to 228 (+29) and 96 compared to 71 (+25), respectively. All remain above the previous 5 year average. Speeding offences continue to show a reduction of 9.4% with 542 recorded versus 598 last year (-56). Group 2 sexual crimes have reduced by 9% from 221 to 201 compared to PYTD. Rape crimes have reduced from 46 to 42 (-4) but remain slightly above the previous 5 year average (n=38). Sexual assaults have reduced marginally from 87 to 86 (-1), but the figure also remains slightly above the 5 year average (n=72). Around 47% of all rape and sexual assault crimes related to non-recent reports, 69% occurred in a private setting and 22% were domestic related. Crimes relating to indecent images/communication have seen a slight increase from 54 to 59 crimes, with approximately 39% being committed by persons known to the victim. As at the end of Feb 2023, the detection rate for Group 2 sexual crime overall had increased marginally (n=0.7%) to 57.2% compared to 56.6% last year and is slightly above the previous 5 year average (55.3%). The detection rates for rape crime has also increased from 43.5% to 50% (+6.5%) but is slightly below the previous 5 year average (55.8%). The detection rate for sexual assault has seen a reduction of 10.9% to 54.7% from 65.5% in 2021/22 but remains slightly above the previous 5 year average (52.9%). 151 missing person reports were recorded by police within Argyll & Bute up until the end of Feb 2022, which is a slight increase from 143 the previous year. The increase is largely due to a rise in MP reports relating to children from 54 to 72 year on year. Almost half related to looked after children (n=34). Figures as at Feb 2023 show domestic related incidents being reported has reduced by 4.8% from last year. In total, 631 incidents were recorded compared to 663 the previous year, with the current figure slightly above the previous 5 year average (620). 52.1% of incidents resulted in a crime being recorded. Domestic abuse crimes have increased from 476 to 499 (+4.8%), while the current figure remains 16.4% above the previous 5 year average (428.8). 92 cyber-crimes had been recorded within Argyll & Bute as at the end of Feb 2023, which is a significant reduction of 55% from 204 last year. Cyber-enabled frauds accounted for 43% of crimes recorded (n=40) while a further 18 crimes related to indecent images or communication, 20 involved threatening and abusive messages sent via social media and 8 crimes related to extortion offences committed via online platforms. 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. 71 complaints against the police were recorded which is a decrease from 88 last year. The number of allegations against officers has also reduced year on year from 165 to 121. As at the end Feb 2023 the detection rate for Grp 1 crimes was 58.5%, slightly below last year’s figure (59.3%) and 16.2% below the previous 5 year average (74.7%). The detection rate for serious assaults however has improved by 25.7% and is currently high at 93.3%. For common assault the rate is relatively unchanged at 72.6%, slightly below the previous 5 year average (75.5%) and for Group 1 domestic abuse crimes the detection rate is at 54.8%, which is a reduction of 11.8% from last year (66.7%). In line with a continued downward trend in public reported ASB, complaints relating to disorder have reduced by 24.4% (-585). ASB related crimes have increased by 3.9% (+60) but remain below the previous 5 year average (n=1616). Common assaults remain 6.8% higher than last year (+42) and 14.8% above the previous 5 year average (574.8). Approx. 44% occurred within a private setting with 51% being domestic related. Furthermore, in 64% of all public space assaults the offender was known to the victim. Alcohol related offences have increased by 48.4% (+15) with approx. 72% relating to refusing to quit or disorderly conduct within licenced premises, these have risen from 18 to 34 crimes in 2022/23. There were 2 fatal road casualties during Qtr. 4 compared to 0 the previous year. Tragically both incidents involved individuals on holiday in the local area. Investigations are ongoing with both. At the end of Feb 2023, the overall number of road casualties in Argyll & Bute decreased by 16.4% (-21) compared to the same period last year. Fatalities have increased from 8 to 11 however the number of serious injuries reduced from 48 to 42 (-6) and slight injuries are down by 18 from 72 to 54. Figures as at the end of Feb 2023 show a reduction of 6.1% in the number of adult concerns being raised within Argyll & Bute. In total of 1316 adult concerns were recorded versus 1402 the previous year. Child concerns have also seen a reduction of 4.1% decreasing from 2154 last year to 2066 this year. In A&B acquisitive crime has increased by 4% compared to PYTD with 701 crimes recorded compared to 674, the current figure also remains above the previous 5 year average (n=674). The increase is due to a rise in common thefts from 212 to 244 (+32) and shopliftings from 111 to 161 (+50). This is a national trend and possibly linked to the cost of living. Fraud crimes have seen a marginal reduction from 2021/22 with 154 recorded compared to 160 year on year. All figures remain above the previous 5 year average. Housebreakings have reduced from 86 to 66 (- 19) largely due to a 17.9% (-7) reduction in crimes at domestic dwellings and a 28.8% (-8) reduction at commercial premises. The detection rate for Group 3 acquisitive has increased from 27% to 33.7% (+6.7%) and is in line with the 5 year rate (35.7%). The number of bogus crimes recorded in A&B has reduced by 35% from last year with 57 crimes recorded until the end of February 2023 compared to 88 last year. Approx. 88% of all crimes recorded related to social engineering frauds involving scam phonecalls/emails or WhatsApp messaages.
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL Local Policing We are maximising our visibility across our communities in Argyll by increasing the number of officers who have access to police bikes. We are delighted that Police Scotland Youth Volunteer Groups have now been established in Dunoon and Helensburgh and are excited to see the impact they will have on our local communities. Across Argyll we are working with a host of partners, including Park Rangers to ensure we are ready to respond to seasonal demand in tourist hotspots. The Albatross Arts programme in Helensburgh concludes in the coming weeks. The initiative was funded by Police Scotland and supported by Royal Navy, MOD and Education in response to increased demand across the area in response to trauma and mental health incidents involving in children and young people. 8 young people have taken part in an arts and cultural programme supported by a professional artist to achieve an Arts Award qualification. Our youth engagement officers are involved with The Planet Youth initiative which has been introduced in Dunoon and Lochgilphead. This initiative tackles issues affecting young people, focusing on developing their skills providing them with greater prospects for the future. Our partnership engagement in Campbeltown is ongoing through our work with Live Argyll every Friday night with the Street Sports initiative. We have received some great community feedback and continue to promote these diversionary activities on our social media feeds. Missing Persons We have recently applied to work with the UK wide charity, ‘Missing People’, which is a funded Scottish Government initiative designed to review multi-agency working in the area of Missing Persons. If successful, this charity will support and provide guidance and review policy and procedures across partners to ensure we are doing all we can to prevent people going missing and to limit potential harm. We have regular engagement within our Care Experienced homes both with young persons and staff. We have a missing persons coordinator who reviews enquiries highlights areas for improvement and recognises good practice nationally. Mental Health Partnerships meetings with local mental Health services have been established to develop greater accountability and understanding of needs. This engagement will improve service and support the most vulnerable within our communities. 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. Shut out Scammers We have spoken with many Community groups to offer advice and guidance around cyber related fraud and have undertaken the bespoke inputs, which is directed at the more vulnerable in the community. Our team have visited many rural communities including a recent visit to the Isle of Luing. This ensures that these vital messages are being delivered to the most vulnerable across our policing area. This has resulted in a 35% year to date reduction of ‘Bogus’ related crimes. 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. We have been proactive on our social media channels and will continue to promote crime prevention measures to support our communities. Water Safety & Fire Setting Police Scotland in partnership with Scottish Fire and Rescue Service delivered water safety and Fire setting 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. Road Safety We hosted a multi-agency road safety awareness day at Hermitage Academy, Helensburgh where the local community benefited from expert guidance and advice on all aspects of road safety, with a particular focus on driving in rural locations. Community Speed watch is being supported by the Local Officers in Dunoon having been approached by the Community Council in Sandbank. The Divisional Road Policing Unit covering Argyll & Bute is committed to influencing driver and road user behaviour, reducing road casualties and deterring and detecting criminality on the roads. Focused activity utilising unmarked patrol cars on the A82 and A83 has resulted in an increase in the number of detections for dangerous and careless driving / riding. Increased Pro-activity has resulted in an increase in the number of offences recorded. Supporting Community Concerns Officers in Oban have provided increased foot patrols within the town to specifically target drug related activity. This has led to multiple arrests, further targeted warrants and the recovery of controlled substances. The Oban team will continue to adopt this proactive response. We continue to maximise our visibility, supporting our night time economy and positively working with our licenced premises to ensure that every effort is made to minimise any disruption on our local communities. Local officers in Dunoon and The Isle of Bute continue to provide a proactive response to local concerns of drug dealing. Several individuals have now been arrested and charged with drug offences. We will continue to work with housing providers to ensure proactive disclosures are made ensuring tenancy reviews are carried out and considered where applicable. Bespoke Initiatives have been developed by local policing in Lochgilphead and Campbeltown to improve local ASB concerns. We have carried out analytical reviews in order that we focus our officers effectively. This has resulted in a reduction of reported incidents. A multi-agency meeting is now established in Argyll & Bute which focuses on fire raising and ASB concerns. By working together we have reduced the impact which these issues were having in areas such as Lochgilphead. Joint emergency services days within schools and working with local housing providers has all helped positively influence behaviour. As a result reported fire raising incidents have seen a reduction. LOOKING AHEAD Water & Fire Setting Safety Retailers Day of Action to promote and support local business and retailers Shut Out Scammers Month To increase Visibility across rural areas Local Policing summer action plans Plans to reduce violence Plans to reduce acquisitive crime Economy is Diverse & Thriving Infrastructure supports sustainable growth Education, skills & training maximise opportunities for all Children & Young People have the best possible start People live in safer, stronger communities People live active healthier & independent lives