Police Scotland Update
Argyll and Bute Council · 10 September 2024
Back to Helensburgh & Lomond Area Committee — 10 September 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 Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee 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. We continue to focus on those involved in the supply of controlled drugs and other high-level criminality and the seizure of over £300,000 since April 2024 is a significant part of what we are doing. We strongly believe that this cash would otherwise have been re-invested into further criminal activities. We have been upskilling officers across Argyll and Bute, ensuring they understand and appreciate the importance of community intelligence and information. This information is key and often results in the targeting of those involved in the sale and supply of controlled drugs. This has led to an increase in applications to the courts for Sheriff search warrants resulting in various drugs recoveries from specific individuals. Our Youth Engagement Officer are continuing to provide inputs in local schools explaining the dangers of drug use, and warning of the potential dangers of County Lines activity. 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 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 suspicions around drug dealing either by calling 101 or by reporting anonymously via Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 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. In Helensburgh Our community policing officers are engaging with local businesses in the retail sector to reduce shoplifting. Officers are taking ownership by identifying those responsible, collating information and seeking bail conditions restricting access by the perpetrators. Theft of fuel from petrol stations continues to be an increasing trend. Along with our preventions team we are supporting local business to ensure that we are proving crime prevention advice and seeking local business to review practises to reduce the volume of these crimes. Bike Register marking kits have been distributed to police offices across Argyll and Bute, available to members of the public on request. Once registered on the Bike Register, the unique QR coded stickers can be used to identify lost and stolen bikes. These cannot be removed, acting as a visible deterrent to bicycle theft. Our preventions team have been closely involved in a number of new build Secured by Design projects being progressed in the Argyll and Bute area, ensuring crime prevention is an integral part of the design and build process. The team also recently visited Helensburgh with the Trading Standards ‘Scam Van’ engaging with members of the public, raising awareness of current prevalent types of fraudulent activity. (Figures from 1st April – 19th August 2024) Crime Type 5 Year Average PYTD YTD % Change from previous Year Common Theft 25.8 25 19 -24% Fraud 12.4 16 8 -27% Theft shoplifting 10.6 11 25 +127.3% Road Safety & Road Crime
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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 Throughout the reporting period, our Roads Policing Unit have provided support to Argyll and Bute in respect of road safety with campaigns through the national calendar of activity. Focus during this time has been on the Fatal 5 campaign, motorcycle safety weekends of action, Child Safety Week, National Seatbelt campaign and cycle space dedicated patrols with marked and unmarked vehicles in the area. As a result of our continued presence within local community council and partnership meetings, we are able to identify locations which our communities have identified as areas of concern for speeding. Our officers are trained in the use of handheld speed detection devices and will always look for opportunities to target these areas throughout the course of their duties. We participate in the Cowal Transport Forum which provides a wide range of community members the opportunity to engage directly with local policing, giving us a great opportunity to listen and identify local risk and provide a suitable policing response. Motorcyclists are among our most vulnerable road users. In Helensburgh and Inveraray, our partnerships and preventions team held successful road safety events assisted by Roads Policing and in partnership with the Institute of Advanced Motorists and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. Road Smart advanced riders offered free driving assessments and development sessions to motorcycle riders as part of these free drop in events, which were very well received by the public. We continue to work tirelessly to improve the safety of those using the roads network. 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 Across Helensburgh and Lomond we continue to support our nighttime economy by providing a visible presence in our licensed premises. Weekend policing plans 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. We often work with partners to maximise our presence. In Helensburgh the Royal Navy Police have been attending shift meetings learning about priority tasking and supporting local policing across the town. Public Protection
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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 Our partnerships team are working with A&B licensing and local taxi companies to increase the awareness of domestic violence and in particular violence against woman and children. Better awareness and support to taxi drivers will allow them to consider the “by stander approach” Which will give confidence to report their concerns to local policing. Our Youth Engagement Officers across Argyll and Bute continue to deliver talks within our local schools, with our recent focus being on ‘sextortion’ crimes and online safety. The Arrest Referral Scheme is currently being re-launched across Argyll and Bute, ensuring persons passing through police custody are referred to the most appropriate services to provide the support they require. 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. Community Policing Our community police team have been maximising their presence across Helensburgh and Lomond. They have created and enhanced new local links with partners from housing, RNP, Live Argyll. The officers are tasked daily with supporting the local community where it is needed most. The officers remained motivated and determined to provide a positive policing presence within the community. PC Haining has been working with Live Argyll to support a diversionary and supportive programme for young persons in the grounds of Hermitage Academy on Friday evenings. As well as this PC Haining has been leading the Police Scotland Youth Volunteers at various events. This includes the Luss Highland Games and later this month will be supporting the British Open Golf Championships in Troon. These experiences have not only supported local communities but provided these young persons with valuable development and evidence for future employment. Operation Ballaton Our multi agency approach at tackling summer ASB has been ongoing with weekly meetings with key partners to plan and maximise our response. Local officers have been provided with information in relation local bye laws across Loch Lomond so that a robust policing plan can be put in place to tackle seasonal ASB. We continue to support the Luss community to reduce the impact of ASB and to ensure we remain vigilant and aware of local concerns. Looking Forward
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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 Local policing has had engagement with local elected officials to highlight the need for a review on CCTV within Helensburgh. The system in place is not fit for purpose and requires consideration of investment and upgrade. 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/