Argyll & Bute Local Policing Plan (2020 - 2023) - Quarterly Report (Qtr2 - 2022/23)
Argyll and Bute Council · 15 December 2022
Back to Community Services Committee — 15 December 2022 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 Qtr. 2, Group 1 crimes of violence increased by 37.7% with 73 crimes recorded compared to 53 in the previous YTD (+20). The current figure remains above the previous 5 year average (43.4). Increased crime levels are primarily due to a rise in offences relating to cruel and unnatural treatment of children (+10), however 11 of the 15 crimes recorded relate to a historic child abuse investigation. Serious assaults have also risen from 19 to 25 crimes, which is slightly higher than the previous 5 year average (20.6), and domestic abuse crimes have risen from 9 to 14. Across Argyll & West Dunbartonshire 14 persons linked to serious and organised crime have been arrested and £44,116 seized under POCA. Drugs supply crimes have increased YTD with 22 crimes recorded compared to 18 the previous year. Drug possession charges also increased by 7.7% year on year from 181 to 195. Both figures however remain below the previous 5 year average. Figures at the end of Qtr.2 show the total number of offences recorded in A&B relating to motor vehicles has increased by 5.3% to 1267 from 1203 last year albeit the current figure remains 3.4% (44) below the previous 5 year average. Drink/ drug driving offences have seen the highest increase (+31), followed by dangerous and careless driving offences with 65 recorded compared to 44 (+21) and 153 compared to 139 (+14), respectively. All remain above the previous 5 year average. Speeding offences continue to show a reduction of 8.1% with 381 recorded versus 350 last year (-31). Group 2 sexual crimes have increased by 7.5% from 107 to 115 compared to the previous YTD. The increase is due to a rise in indecent / sexual assault crimes from 37 to 54 year on year, with the current figure 32.4% above the previous 5 year average (40.8). Rape crimes have reduced from 26 to 23 but remain above the 5 year average (19.4). Around 49% of all rape and sexual assault crimes related to non-recent reports, 71% occurred in a private setting and 23% were domestic related. Crimes relating to indecent images/communication have seen a slight increase YTD from 27 to 30 crimes, with approximately 37% being committed by persons known to the victim. At the end of Qtr.2, the detection rate for Group 2 sexual crime overall remains relatively unchanged at 47.8% compared to 48.6% last year and is in line with the previous 5 year average (48.1%). Reflecting high levels of non-recent reporting, the detection rate for rape crime and indecent and sexual assault has reduced from 38.5% to 21.7% and 64.9% to 42.6%, respectively. 84 missing person reports were recorded by police within Argyll & Buteby the end of Qtr. 2, which is a slight increase from81 the previous year. The increase is largely due to a rise in MP reports relating to children from27 to 46 year on year. Almost half related to looked after children. There have been 364 domestic incidents recorded compared to 365 the previous year. 52.2% of incidents resulted in a crime being recorded. Domestic abuse crimes have increased slightly from 268 to 286 (+6.7%). Both figures remain above the previous 5 year average by 4% and 14.2%, respectively. 38 cyber-crimes were recorded at the end of Qtr. 2, which is a significant reduction of 65.7% from 111 last year. Cyber-enabled frauds accounted for half of all cyber-related crimes (19) while a further 9 crimes involved threatening and abusive messages sent via social media and 6 to indecent images or communications. User Satisfaction results show that in Argyll & West Dunbartonshire public confidence levels remain high with overall satisfaction levels at 69.8% at the end of Qtr. 2. 37 complaints against the police were recorded in A&B, which is a decrease from 56 last year. The number of allegations against officers has also reduced year on year from 116 to 50. At the end of Qtr.2, the detection rate for Grp 1 crimes was 59%, which is slightly below last year’s figure (62.3%) and the previous 5 year average (75%). The detection rate for serious assaults however has risen by 28.8% and is currently high at 92%. For common assault the rate is relatively unchanged at 70.8%, slightly below the previous 5 year average (77.3%) and for crimes relating to the cruel and unnatural treatment of children it has reduced to 40%, however 3 more crimes have been detected. In line with a continued downward trend in public reported ASB, complaints relating to disorder reduced by 27.8% (-460) while ASB related crimes increased by 9.2% (+80). This is in line with the previous 5 year average (956). The increase in ASB crime is mainly due to a 10.5% rise in common assaults (+36) and a 9.9% increase in crimes relating to threatening and abusive behaviour (+35). Common assaults are 16.4% above the previous 5 year average (326.4). Approx. 40% of common assaults recorded YTD occurred within a private setting with 48% being domestic related. Furthermore, in 42% of all public space crimes the offender was known to the victim. There were a total of 4 fatal road casualties within Argyll & Bute during Qtr.2 which is the same figure as in Qtr. 2 last year. Overall road casualties decreased by 10.8% (-9) in Argyll & Bute by the end of Qtr. 2 compared to the same YTD period last year. Fatalities have increased considerably YTD from 5 to 12 however there has been a reduction in serious injuries from 30 to 28 (-2) and slight injuries from 48 to 34 (-14). Figures at the end of Qtr.2 show a slight increase of 4.9% in the number of adult concerns being raised within Argyll & Bute. In total 781 adult concerns were recorded versus 744 the previous year. Child concerns have seen a slight reduction of 2.7% decreasing from 1199 last year to 1167 this year. Acquisitive crime has increased by 6.7% overall compared to last year with 374 crimes recorded compared to 399. This is slightly above the previous 5 year average (393). The increase is largely due to a rise in common thefts from 131 to 148 (+17) and shopliftings from 44 to 80 (+36). Fraud crimes have also increased from 92 to 100 year on year. All figures are above the previous 5 year average. Housebreakings have reduced from 47 to 36 (-11) largely due to a 31.6% decrease in HB’s at domestic dwellings from 19 to 13 crimes. The detection rate for Group 3 acquisitive has increased from 22.7% to 33.1% and is slightly below the 5 year rate (34.1%). The number of bogus crimes recorded has reduced by 25% fromlast year with 36 crimes recorded compared to 48 at the end of Qtr. 2. Approx. 89% of all crimes recorded related to social engineering frauds involving scam phone calls/emails or WhatsApp messaages.
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL Fraud Prevention The Scam Savvy Quiz continues to help community groups learn how to keep themselves safe from fraud with inputs provided to Crossroads Carers, Dunoon and the Cowal Parkinson’s Support Group. We have now installed 147 call blockers in partnership with Argyll and Bute Council Trading Standards. TrueCall, who provide the devices, estimate that over the life of the units they will have blocked 89,336 nuisance calls (24,520 will have been scam phone calls), prevented 145 scams, saved vulnerable households £427,061, led to a reduction of £396,680 in NHS, social care & police costs, and an increase in wellbeing & quality of life valued at £526,904. This provides a total benefit of £1,350,645. Fuel Theft Prevention Forecourt retailers have been challenged by an increase in fuel thefts from petrol station forecourts. In response to this, local officers have shared guidance from the Association of Convenience Stores with every petrol station which includes the preventing fuel theft guide, technical guidance and a reporting template for drive off of fuel and no means of payment. Road Safety Event Roads Policing Officers with volunteers from I Am Roadsmart attended Dunoon for a Road Safety Event in August. This provided the opportunity to have an eyesight test, take part in a free assessment drive and manoeuvrability test expert advice on their driving skills. Over 30 assessments were undertaken during the course of the day. The day was supported by Western Ferries, Morrison’s, Shearwater Marine Services and Live Argyll. New Fireworks Legislation The Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022 received Royal Assent on 10 August 2022. The Act includes a number of new offences including knowingly buying or attempting to buy a firework or pyrotechnic for a person under the age of 18, and an offence for a person to possess a pyrotechnic article in a public place. Distress Brief Intervention Local police officers have received training to enable them to make referrals for Distress Brief Intervention (DBI). DBI is an NHS-led initiative which aims to provide people aged 18 years and over in low level distress with early, time limited, intervention and provides them with self-help to lower their distress. Training inputs from Support in Mind Scotland, who referrals are made to, help officers understand when a referral may be suitable. Scottish Women’s Development Forum - Annual Award Winner! PC Eilidh Ann Dewar, Oban Police Station has won the “Excellence in Policing” Award at the Scottish Women’s Development Forum Annual Awards for the commitment she has made to help evidence and develop a policing model for rural communities. PC Laura Evans, Dunoon Police Station was highly commended as “Police Officer of the Year”. County Lines Our Youth Engagement Officers attended Oban High School highlighting County Lines and provided our young people with information on how to keep safe and report suspicious activity. County Lines drug gangs lure young people into getting involved by gaining their trust only to trap them into exploitation through violence, blackmail and debt bondage. Youth Engagement Internet safety and cyberbullying inputs were provided to all new S1 pupils. Internet safety workshops were held for parents at Hermitage Primary and Cardross Primary with plans to expand this further due to the positive feedback received. This aims to provide parents with valuable tools to keep their children safe when they are online. Publicly Accessible Defibrillators Police Scotland Youth Volunteers from Clydebank and Dumbarton developed, planned and carried out a lung bursting 3-hour continuous CPR session at Loch Lomond Shores where they successfully raised over £300 on the day. This money will go towards maintaining existing Publicly Accessible Defibrillators (PADs) within West Dunbartonshire, Helensburgh and Lomond Areas. Keep Safe in Argyll and Bute Keep Safe is a national initiative in partnership with I Am Me Scotland creating a network of safety place for anyone to use if they feel lost, scared or vulnerable when our in the community. Newly trained premises include Inveraray Jail, Tipsy Laird, Salty Dog Café, Rumblin’ Tum Café and Lorne Bar and they now feature on the Keep Safe app. Rural Crime Prevention Funded Selecta-Mark DNA property marking kits have begun to be distributed throughout Argyll and Bute, particularly to those involved in agriculture who may fall victim to rural thefts. Officers also attended the NFU Scotland Rural Crime Prevention day held in Campbeltown to demonstrate the use of these kits and provided inputs on crime prevention providing the national picture of rural thefts to allow residents to better safeguard their own property. Safer Streets Initiative Police Scotland have been working closely with the Royal Navy Police to carry out joint patrols of Helensburgh Town Centre. The initiative aims to provide a proportionate policing presence in the town centre during the night time economy. Inputs were also provided to a number of licenced premises to raise awareness of alcohol-related violence and sexual offences. Herbert Protocol and Dementia Safeguarding Tag Focus groups have taken place with people with lived experience of dementia at Helensburgh Dementia Resource Centre and at Crossroads Carers in Dunoon. Inputs were provided on the Herbert Protocol which is an information gathering form designed to be completed for everyone who lives with Dementia which can then be used in the event they go missing to find them sooner. These sessions also enabled focus groups to take place on the new Dementia Safeguarding Tag due to launch in Argyll and Bute in November. This will be the first time this has been used in Scotland and more information will follow upon its official launch. Forward Look: Local Policing Plan Consultation Bonfire Night including enforcement of new legislation Darker days and nights initiatives Festive Safety Winter Driving 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