20220815 - ABC Community Services Ctte Submission - Police Scotland Scrutiny Report Q1
Argyll and Bute Council · 25 August 2022
Back to Community Services Committee — 25 August 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 Group 1 crimes of violence increased by 58.1% in Qtr.1 (+18). In total, 49 crimes were recorded compared to 31 the previous year, which is above the previous 5 year average (21). Increased crime levels are primarily due to a rise in offences relating to cruel and unnatural treatment of children from 5 to 15 crimes. These relate to 11 crimes relating to historic abuse at a former children’s home in Rhu. Serious assaults have also risen from 11 to 17 crimes, which is 85% above the previous 5 year average (9). The remaining Group 1 crimes have seen little change. Across Argyll & West Dunbartonshire 4 persons linked to serious and organised crime have been arrested and £15,530 seized under POCA. Drugs supply crimes increased slightly during Qtr. 1 with 11 crimes recorded compared to 8 the previous year. Drug possession charges reduced by 5.3% year on year from 95 to 90. Both figures remain below the previous 5 year average. At the end of Qtr.1, the total number of motor vehicle related offences recorded remain relatively unchanged with 668 crimes compared to 662 the previous year. The current figure is also 3.7% (n=26) below the previous 5 year average. Drink/ drug driving offences have seen the highest increase compared to last year (+24), followed by dangerous and careless driving offences with 29 compared to 15 crimes (+14) and 72 compared to 61 (+11) respectively. All 3 crimes are currently above the previous 5 year average. The increase has been offset by a 19.2% reduction in speeding offences from 240 to 194 crimes (-46), while drivers neglect of traffic directions have also seen a notable reduction of 59% (n=26). During Qtr. 1, Group 2 sexual crimes increased slightly by 7.5% from 53 to 57 when compared to the last year. The increase is due to an increase in indecent/sexual assault crimes from 18 to 23 year on year, with the current figure 35.3% above the previous 5 year average (17). Rape offences have reduced by 2 from last year but remain above the 5 year average. Around 47% of all rape and sexual assault crimes related to non-recent reports, 67% occurred in a private setting and 25% were domestic related. Crimes relating to indecent images / communication have increased slightly from 14 to 20, with almost half being committed by persons known to the victim. At the end of Qtr.1, the detection rate for Group 2 sexual crime overall reduced from 62.3% to 54.4% compared to last year. This remains slightly above the previous 5 year average (53.1%). Reflecting high levels of non-recent reporting, the detection rate for rape has reduced slightly (from 7 to 3) and indecent/sexual assault (from 17 to 9) however several investigations are still ongoing. 39 missing person reports were recorded by police within Argyll & Bute during Qtr. 1, which is a slight increase from 32 the previous year. The increase is largely due to a rise in MP reports relating to children from 9 to 19 year on year. Almost half of the 19 reports relating to looked after children. Domestic related incidents increased by 34.5% in Qtr. 1. In total, 187 incidents were recorded compared to 139 the previous year. 51.3% of incidents resulted in a crime being recorded. Domestic abuse crimes have also increased from 108 to 138 (+27.8%). Both figures remain above the previous 5 year average by 20% and 23.2%, respectively. There were 18 cyber-crimes recorded within Argyll & Bute during Qtr. 1, which is a significant reduction of 64.7% from 51 last year. Cyber-enabled frauds were the most commonly recorded crimes (n=8) followed by threatening and abusive messages sent via social media (n=5). User Satisfaction results show that in Argyll & West Dunbartonshire public confidence levels remain high with overall satisfaction levels at 73.4% at the end of Qtr. 1. 19 complaints against the police were recorded in A&B, which is a decrease from 30 last year. The number of allegations against officers has also reduced year on year from 74 to 63. At the end of Qtr.1, the detection rate for Group 1 crimes was 49%, which is slightly below last year’s figure (51.6%) and the previous 5 year average (66%). The detection rate for serious assaults has risen by 21.9% and is currently high at 76.5%. The detection rate for cruel and unnatural treatment of children is low at 26.7% however this is reflected by non- recent reporting and protracted investigations. The detection rate for common assault is unchanged at 72.3% and is slightly below the previous 5 year average (78.7%). In line with a continued downward trend in public reported ASB, complaints relating to disorder reduced by 36.1% in Qtr.1 (-309) while ASB related crimes have increased by 13.1% (+54). These are in line with the previous 5 year average (n=464). The increase in ASB crime is mainly due to a 9.5% increase in common assaults (+16) and a 14.5% increase in crimes relating to breach of the peace and threatening and abusive behaviour. Common assaults are also 21.5% above the previous 5 year average (151.4). Nearly 46% of common assaults occurred within a private setting with 45% being domestic related. In almost half of all public space crimes, the offender was known to the victim. Overall road casualties decreased by 3 in Argyll & Bute at the end of Qtr.1 compared to the previous year. Despite the overall reduction, fatalities increased from 1 to 6 in Qtr.1. Both serious and slight injury incidents have reduced from 16 to 11 (-5) and 16 to 13 (-3) respectively. Figures at the end of Qtr.1 show an increase of 24.6% in the number of adult concerns being raised. In total 435 adult concerns were recorded versus 349 the previous year. Child concerns have also seen an increase of 11.7% rising from 555 last year to 620 this year. During Qtr. 1, acquisitive crime increased by 32.3% compared to the previous year (164 to 217 crimes) with the current figure above the previous 5 year average (n=197). The increase is largely due to a rise in common thefts (from 57 to 85) and shopliftings (from 19 to 51). Both figures are above the 5 year average. Fraud crimes have remained relatively consistent with 47 compared to 45 crimes year on year however remain above the previous 5 year average (n=25). Housebreakings have decreased at the end of Qtr. 1, due to a 36.4% decrease in housebreakings at domestic dwellings (from 11 to 7). The detection rate for Group 3 acquisitive crime has increased from 26.8% to 30.4% which is slightly below the 5 year average (33.1%). The number of bogus crimes recorded in A&B remained fairly consistent compared to last year with 19 crimes recorded compared to 20 at the end of Qtr. 1. Approx. 89% of all crimes recorded related to social engineering frauds involving scam phonecalls/emails or WhatsApp messaages.
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL Keeping Ukrainian Families Safe The well-known Keep Safe initiative has continued to develop in West Dunbartonshire. There are now 60 Keep Safe Places throughout Argyll and Bute with recent developments including having Keep Safe materials translated into Ukrainian. This will enable anyone seeking safety the ability to access these premises by knowing their remit and where to find them. Argyll and West Dunbartonshire Police Division have been involved in partnership discussions regarding Homes for Ukraine and ensuring full support is available to those from Ukraine now residing in Argyll and Bute with officers scheduled to attend the Ukrainian Welcome Fayres in Dunoon and Oban during August. Scam Savvy Quiz Fraud prevention work has continued with the “Scam Savvy Quiz” making its way around Argyll and Bute. This has included Hope Kitchen in Oban, Grey Matters Active Ageing in Helensburgh, Sandbank Seniors in Dunoon and the Millhouse and District Women’s Institute. Further funding for much needed call blockers has been received with more devices being installed at addresses of our most vulnerable to keep them safe from scams in their own home. Missing Person Co-ordinator A new dedicated missing person coordinator is now in place with work ongoing to make introductions with the local Looked After and Accommodated Establishments in Argyll and Bute to break down barriers and raise awareness of missing person procedures. This will assist Police Scotland meet their obligations as a corporate parent. We are looking at opportunities to learn from the ‘Respect’ Programme and options to utilise our Youth Engagement Officers to deliver against the outcomes and provide support and reduce harms for Care Experienced Young People. Work is also ongoing in relation to repeat missing persons to ensure adequate support is in place for these individuals. Your Police – Your Local Policing Plan The 2020-2023 Local Policing Plan sets out the priorities that we have been focussing on in Argyll and Bute. Work is ongoing to revise this for 2023-2026 and understanding the views and priorities of our diverse communities is fundamental to how Police Scotland responds to the needs of the public. Our public engagement activities help us improve how we deliver our policing services in local communities, ensuring they are accessible for everyone. The “Your Police” survey will help us improve how we deliver local policing services. The survey is designed to be completed online whether you work, visit or reside in Argyll and Bute with easy read formats available – visit consult.scotland.police.uk Friday Night Football Working with partners in Helensburgh including Ministry of Defence Police, Live Argyll, and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, we have delivered football sessions each Friday evening during the summer holidays to young people aged between 12 and 17. There has been a consistently impressive turnout of between 40-70 attendees, both males and females. This has encouraged positive relationships between Police and the young people whilst enhancing awareness of the positive impact the young people can have on their communities. A new post for a Youth Engagement Officer dedicated to Cowal and Bute has been advertised to enable more of this excellent engagement, prevention and diversionary work to take place. Internet Safety Internet safety inputs continue with all primary 7 pupils in Dunoon and Helensburgh taking part to highlight the dangers that can be posed online as well as providing advice to use the internet safety. Information has been provided to teachers that can be disseminated to parents to support them while they are online as well. Water Safety Water safety inputs and workshops have been delivered to S1-S4 pupils from Dunoon Grammar School and Hermitage Academy alongside partners from Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. These inputs aimed to educate young people on the dangers around water and how to respond should they get into difficulty. Anti-Social Behaviour Disclosures Dedicated Anti-Social Behaviour and Disclosure officers provide real time disclosures to Local Authority and Registered Social Landlords of offenders and request warnings where appropriate. These roles monitor repeat addresses of ASB closely liaising with the relevant partners to tackle these addresses as quick as possible after the ASB was reported. This has been received well by the relevant partners and several warnings have been issued in response. Oban Summer Safety Action Plan This aims to support the prevention of anti-social behaviour within the Oban area by engaging in proactive high visibility patrols at key times and locations. This has also included additional licensed premises visits enabling officers to utilise cocaine wipes funded by the Alcohol and Drugs Partnership. These wipes are a positive engagement tool used between Police Scotland, licensees and bar staff to detect any drug misuse within licensed premises. Motorcycle Safety – Live Facebook Q&A Our first Facebook Live Q&A session on motorcycle safety was met with a positive response. There were a number of excellent questions posed by motorcyclists, responded to in live time by our Roads Policing Officers. The summer motorcycle action plan also started in June which is a coordinated approach between several local authorities meaning the main routes used by touring motorcyclists have additional police presence. This will ensure safety of all on our road networks and has seen several detections for speeding and other road traffic offences. Forward Look The Offensive Weapons Act 2019 forms part of the UK Government’s response to the rise in serious violence. The Act creates new powers and amends existing legislation with the first part of this coming into effect in June 2022 with further amendments in December 2022. 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