Police Scotland Update
Argyll and Bute Council · 5 November 2024
Back to Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group — 5 November 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: POLICE AND PARTNERS 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. OFFICIAL: POLICE AND PARTNERS Argyll & West Dunbartonshire Division Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group October 2024 The priorities for your area are decided by data from our strategic assessment which details threats and risks, and also from feedback from local authorities, partners, and residents in the Local Policing Survey. • Serious and organised crime • Crimes of theft and dishonesty (acquisitive crime) • Road safety and road crime • Violent crime • Public protection. Serious & Organised Crime Cowal, Bute & Helensburgh benefits from a dedicated specialist resource, the Serious and Organised Crime Team (SOCT). These specialist officers are supported by dedicated intelligence officers in taking a proactive approach to tackling serious and organised crime in our communities. We have been upskilling officers across our policing division, ensuring they understand and appreciate the importance of community intelligence and information. Through intelligence led policing, officers are able to apply to the courts for Sheriff search warrants and take positive action in the detection and disruption of those involved in the sale and supply of controlled drugs. Community information is key for us and may just provide us with the last piece of evidence required to apply to the courts for a warrant. We encourage our communities to share concerns and suspicions around drug dealing either by calling 101 or by reporting anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their website and online form (https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give- information/forms/pre-form). COWAL, BUTE & HELENSBURGH PRIORITIES 2023-2026
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OFFICIAL: POLICE AND PARTNERS 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. OFFICIAL: POLICE AND PARTNERS Acquisitive Crime Although local crime statistics are currently on a downward trajectory, acquisitive crime continues to be a priority. Police in the area remain aware that crimes such as theft by shoplifting are nationally increasing due to socio-economic factors, including the cost-of-living crisis. Frauds have decreased slightly, compared with the previous year to date. However, the Preventions Team remains committed to working with organisations and individuals with their fraud prevention initiatives and we ask that the community remain vigilant regarding particular issues, such as, bogus workmen and online scams. (Figures from 1st April – 28th October 2024) Crime Type 5 Year Average YTD Previous year (2023/24) Year to date (YTD) % Change from previous Year Fraud 18.4 20 7 -65% Common theft 39.2 26 17 -34.6% Theft by shoplifting 25.6 36 16 -55.6% Road Safety & Road Crime Across Argyll & Bute we are committed to reducing road deaths by targeting the five main causes of fatal road accidents. These include speeding, being unfit to drive through drink or drugs, seatbelts and driver distraction. Our officers will continue to pro-actively engage through education and enforcement. Our officers are all trained in the use of hand help speed detection devices and will always look for opportunities to target areas of concern throughout the course of their shift. For this year to date, across our area (including Helensburgh and Lomond) 40 persons have been reported with being unfit to drive through drink or drugs or have refused to supply a specimen when required to do so. These numbers remain on par with the 5-year average but are down on last year’s numbers. Our fatal road accident statistics remain in line with last year and in line with our 5-year average. Within Argyll, Road Safety risk analysis has identified the main causes of serious and fatal accidents are a result of: • Motorcycles • Those unfit to drive
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OFFICIAL: POLICE AND PARTNERS 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. OFFICIAL: POLICE AND PARTNERS • People’s manner or driving • Visitors to Argyll. We have held a partnership event in Inverary with Roads Policing officers and the Institute of advanced motorists targeting motorcycles. This included assessed drives and advice. The event was well attended, and we have received positive feedback something which we will continue to develop and promote. We have also held more local outreach events, including around cycling and road safety in both Dunoon and the Isle of Bute. Our community events have been a great success and well received in the local community. These events support our determination to reduce road deaths across Argyll. Violent Crime Violent crime continues to be closely monitored and reviewed with investigations being resourced across Local Policing Teams and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). Each crime is subject of daily review and scrutiny and thereafter allocated to the most appropriate department to progress to assist in identification of repeat victims, offenders and locations. Any emerging issues and risks are shared and appropriate actions identified. Across Cowal and Bute we continue to support our nighttime economy by providing a visible presence in our licensed premises. Weekend policing plans and patrols allow us to maximise our efforts across our towns as we look for opportunities to reduce early signs of ASB which may escalate into violence. Public Protection Public protection remains a local and force-wide priority and at the forefront of policing. Cowal and Bute continue to be supported by a range of dedicated departments in this area including the Safeguarding team, the Domestic Abuse Investigation Unit and the Concern Hub. Specialist training is also cascaded throughout the division to ensure the provision of a comprehensive approach to victims who fall under the at-risk category. Winter safety initiatives will also include a gender-based violence campaign. Local Policing News Our Youth Engagement Officer (YEO), PC Rachael Wells, continues to drive forward extensive work with young people in our community. This has recently included Police Scotland’s involvement and stall at the Planet Youth Engagement Day, for parents and carers at the Queen’s Hall, Dunoon. Planet Youth is a holistic, wide-ranging partnership approach that looks at improving the experiences of young people by ensuring that their views are truly listened to.
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OFFICIAL: POLICE AND PARTNERS 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. OFFICIAL: POLICE AND PARTNERS Further community engagement has been carried out with a recent visit of the Phoenix Centre group to Rothesay Police Station. Visits to local nursersies and school’s continue on a regular basis and provide excellent opportunities to ensure positive interaction with hard to reach communities whose voices are often less heard. Looking Forward We are looking forward to welcoming some new officers in both Dunoon and the Isle of Bute in the coming months. These officers will bolster our existing officer numbers providing more resilience and support to our communities. As we move towards the winter months, our Winter Safety campaigns will kick in and we will be targeting seasonal crimes. This will include supporting local businesses through the festive season and the Roads Policing department with their drink and drug driving campaigns. Useful Links/Contacts • Argyll and Bute Communtiy Directory - https://abcd.scot/ including warm spaces information • Crimestoppers – Crimestoppers in Scotland | Crimestoppers (crimestoppers-uk.org) 0800 555 111 • Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime – www.scottishparc.co.uk • Women’s Aid - Home - Women's Aid (womensaid.org.uk) • Citizens Advice – 0808 164 6000 • Argyll and Bute Council Trading Standards – 01546 605 519 • Argyll and Bute Council – https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/my-council/how-contact-us • Transport Scotland – road related incidents and road closures - https://www.traffic.gov.scot/traffic-information/incidents • Scottish Water - https://www.scottishwater.co.uk/Help-and-Resources/Contact-Us 0800 0778 778 • NHS24 (including mental health support) – 111 or https://www.nhsinform.scot/ Follow us on Social Media and help share loacl appeals and education messages • Facebook - Police Scotland Argyll and West Dunbartonshire • X (formerly Twitter) – PSOSArgyllBute and PSOS ArgWestDunb Sign up to Neighbourhood Watch to receive local alerts and bulletins for your community area - https://neighbourhoodwatchscotland.co.uk/#0 Have your say on your local policing priorities - https://consult.scotland.police.uk/strategy-insight- and-innovation/your-police-2023-2024/