Police Scotland Update
Argyll and Bute Council · 20 September 2022
Back to Helensburgh & Lomond Area Committee — 20 September 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 Area Committee Report for September 2022 Police Scotland Inspector Andy Barron Helensburgh & Lomond Area Temporary change in personnel within the area with Police Inspector Andy Barron covering for Inspector Roddy MacNeill for a period. The Youth Engagement Officer for the area PC Mark Toner is now dedicated solely to the Helensburgh and Lomond area as an additional post for this work has been created for Dunoon and Cowal. This additional capacity will allow us focus on re-establishing previously successful Police Scotland Youth Volunteer Groups and to work more closely with Care Experienced Young people to deliver on our responsibilities as a corporate parent. We are looking at opportunities to learn from Glasgow’s implementation of 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. Adverts are being run at present for officers to apply for a Community Policing Team for the area. Development in terms of remit for this proposed department is ongoing and action plans have been drawn up to tackle anti-social behaviour, drug misuse and violence in hot spot areas and increased high visibility patrols in these areas is hoped will increase public confidence and build relationships with local communities. The four new probationary officers have commenced deployment from Helensburgh Police Office spread across the various shifts. Building, facilities and vehicle fleet are all in operational order. The office will take receipt of a new marked police vehicle mid September. I am engaging regularly with the ASB group and the co-ordinator. Multi-agency meetings continue as part of Operation Balaton. This is the operation to ensure we provide the most effective policing model to deal with the large increase in footfall across the area during the summer months. Chief Inspector Glasgow and Inspector Barron have met with the Chair of the Luss Estates and members of the Luss Community Council regarding disorder related concerned in relation to the good weather periods. The joint patrols with the NP Rangers on Loch Lomond take place where resourcing allows to ensure loch users are acting responsibly, safely and in line with the park by-laws. Also allows for a police presence on the islands during the course of the shift. Very worthwhile given the substantial increase in the use of both powered and non-powered craft on the water. Police Scotland, Royal Navy Police and Ministry of Defence Police have established joint patrols of Helensburgh Town Centre on weekends to promote the safety and wellbeing of members of the public and prevent criminality taking place or escalating. The patrols are also being utilised to work
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OFFICIAL OFFICIAL with licensed premises, including staff and managers promoting the responsible sale of alcohol. The overall objective is to adopt a collaborative approach to provide a safe recreational environment, maximising public safety and reduce anti-social behaviour and disorder. We are working closely with the Drug and alcohol Partnership to look at ways to better support families affected by Drugs Deaths in the Community. We are meeting with our partners from NHS and We are With You to establish how Police Scotland can play an effective role locally in prevention and support and are scheduled to attend a number of local groups to establish greater working relationships and actively try and reduce the stigma of addiction. PC Toner had been continuing with Live Argyll, MDP and SFRS in carrying out the weekly midnight football league at Hermitage Academy from June to August to help keep youths occupied and to provide an opportunity to engage with those attending in an informal setting. Attention is being given to speeding whenever possible. Members of the public and local councillors regularly suggest areas of concern and where resources can be allocated, the most appropriate areas are identified. Power issue remains and causing a delay to the operational functionality of the speed camera in Cardross. Work continues to have this rectified. Training has commenced for selected officers in Distress Brief Intervention (DBI). As noted in the June report this allows for front line services such as ourselves, to provide another level of support and care to distressed members of the public and for us to refer them on to qualified staff from partner organisations that can provide the help quickly and properly.