Police Scotland Update
Argyll and Bute Council · 30 April 2024
Back to Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group — 30 April 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 1 OFFICIAL: POLICE AND PARTNERS Argyll & West Dunbartonshire Division Cowal & Bute Area Community Planning Group 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 organised crime ➢ Crimes of theft and dishonesty ➢ Road safety and road crime ➢ Violent crime ➢ Public protection. Serious & Organised Crime Cowal, Bute & Helensburgh benefits from a dedicated Pro-active Serious and Organised Crime Team (SOCT). These specialist officers are supported by dedicated intelligence officers in tackling serious and organised crime in our communities. Across Argyll & West Dunbartonshire, 46 persons linked to serious and organised crime have been arrested and £513,974 has been seized under the Proceeds of Crime legislation since April 2023. At the end of Feb 2024, drugs supply charges had increased marginally from 32 to 37 crimes, which is slightly below the previous 5-year average. Drug possession charges have increased from 358 to 401 (+12%) and are also 11.3% above the 5 year average. Both figures are testament to the proactive work being carried out by officers. We encourage our communities to share concerns and suspicions around drug dealing either by calling 101 or by reporting anonymously via Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 COWAL, BUTE & HELENSBURGH PRIORITIES 2023-2026
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OFFICIAL: POLICE AND PARTNERS 2 OFFICIAL: POLICE AND PARTNERS Acquisitive Crime Acquisitive crime remains a local priority. Figures across the country are on an upward trajectory, which in part is a result of the cost of living. We are working with our Preventions team looking at maximising our crime prevention opportunities and looking at innovative ways to increase local awareness. We are working with our communities to identify areas of vulnerability where we can engage with our partners to maximise our response. Crime Type 5 Year Average PYTD YTD % Change from previous Year Common Theft 4.2 3 3 0% Fraud 2.4 3 2 -33% Housebreaking (Domestic) 1 1 0 0% Theft shoplifting 2.6 2 0 -100% Road Safety & Road Crime We have continued to maximise our visibility on the trunk roads with our focus on speed detection and driver behaviour being the primary activities. Our festive road safety campaign has ensured that we were prepared for the increase in road users across our communities during the festive period. The vast majority of local officers are trained in the hand help speed detection equipment and are regularly utilising these tactics across our communities. Most disposals for road traffic crime are by the issuing of fixed penalty notices. These figures are not recorded in this data. Our officers have been targeting areas in across Cowal and Bute which have been highlighted to us via Community Council groups and local communities. Violent Crime Violent crime continues to be closely monitored and reviewed with investigations being resourced across Local Policing Teams and the Criminal Investigation Department. 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. Crime Type 5 Year Average PYTD YTD % Change previous Year Minor Assault 7.4 8 5 -37.5% Attempt Murder 0.2 1 0 -100% Serious Assault 0 0 0 0% Murder 0.2 0 0 0%
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OFFICIAL: POLICE AND PARTNERS 3 OFFICIAL: POLICE AND PARTNERS Public Protection We are upskilling our staff ensuring they are able to deliver a victim centred approach to gender- based violence. We are introducing domestic abuse champions to ensure officers are confident, supported and properly equipped with skills and up to date guidance when dealing with these often serious and complex investigations. Bespoke perpetrator management plans have been introduced to robustly police those offenders posing the greatest risk of harm in a domestic setting. These plans complement our existing safeguarding processes for victims and children at risk of domestic abuse. Local Policing News Fraud Prevention Frauds and scams continue to be a focus as offences are still being reported on a regular basis and we would welcome invites from any community groups or organisations in the Helensburgh and Lomond area who feel they could benefit from an input from our preventions team. We have been engaging with Carr Gorm, speaking with staff so that assist in supporting our prevention messaging and identifying those at risk. Road Safety Road Safety remains a local policing priority across Argyll & Bute. We have been working closely with a host of partners delivering various initiatives and events to improve decision making and positively influencing driver behaviour across our communities. New Campus Officer We have a new Youth Engagement Officer (YEO) who will starting at the beginning of May. PC Rachel Wells comes with a plethora of experience. PC Wells will provide support to the young persons in Dunoon and Bute whilst also supporting our Care Experienced young persons. The role of YEO is often unquantifiable but having a mentor, role model and an officer who can bridge the gap and build positive relationships between young persons, the police and communities is a great benefit. Recovery community At the beginning of April, Sergeant Sophie Marshall and PC Peter Morrison attended the Recovery Community Meeting on the Isle of Bute. This was brought together by staff from We Are With You and provided a brilliant opportunity for officers to engage with this peer support community and liaise with support staff from a range of organisations.
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OFFICIAL: POLICE AND PARTNERS 4 OFFICIAL: POLICE AND PARTNERS Literacy Project Although in its inception, Sergeant Sophie Marshall who is leading locally on Community Engagement and Support, attended a meeting with Live Argyll regarding their Literacy and Numeracy project for adults on the Isle of Bute. This is a great opportunity for partnership working and all officers will be made aware of the referral process. 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/