Police Scotland Update
Argyll and Bute Council · 19 August 2025
Back to Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group — 19 August 2025 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 Community Planning Group July 2025 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. The current priorities are: • Serious and organised crime • Crimes of theft and dishonesty (acquisitive crime) • Road safety and road crime • ASB & Violent crime • Public protection. Serious and Organised Crime We continue to look for ways to disrupted and target those criminals’ intent on causing misery to those most vulnerable within our communities. We remain resolute in targeting the illegal drug trade ensuring that we seek support from partners across the country in doing so. 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. A recent property was targeting resulting in a recovery of 376 grams of cannabis. 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 We continue to focus and target those individuals who continue to commit acquisitive crime. These crimes of dishonesty are not victimless crimes and have a big impact on a variety of individuals and on local business. Shopliftings have seen a reduction over recent months because of cross-country intelligence sharing and partnership working. A specific group of travelling teenagers have been caught and reported for many offences within Helensburgh. This group were causing significant harm within our communities and were using the travel networks to avoid detection. We have 24 recorded shopliftings from 1st April which is down on the same recoding period as last year. Crimes of Fraud also remain prevalent We have recorded 7 frauds since 1st April 2025. Prior to April we seen a number of online frauds recorded. These frauds relate to online sales sites such as Facebook marketplace and online investments such as Crypto Currency. Our pro-active work to protect the public from fraud continues. We are delivering inputs to groups and utilising our social media presence to maximum effect. Our relationship with our colleagues in Trading Standards is strong and we are installing call-blockers to landlines when appropriate which is a device to add a level of protection against the automated type of fraudulent call. Our pro-active work to protect the public from fraud continues. Our partnerships team have been out recently in Helensburgh with a newly kitted out crime prevention van known as the ‘scam van’ this is a roadshow of various prevention tips and advice through practical presentations. The van attracted some great local interest and was featured on our social media channels. Road Safety Overall, there continues to be a reduction in the number of casualties involved in road traffic collisions within A&B compared to last year. Speeding and driving complaints remain prevalent across A&B. We continue to support community concerns in this area through direct action, prevention and intervention work. Proactive speed checks have been carried out across hot spot areas. We continue to work with partners including A&B council looking for innovative ways to positively influence road users. Since 1st April 2025 140 drivers have been prosecuted for speeding on our roads with 16 detections for those driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs. Our preventions team continue to work with partners across our communities at road safety planned events. These events have been well received and allow a multi-agency approach 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 improving safety on our roads. where we can positively influence driver behaviour and understand community concerns. As we approach our peak time across our road’s networks our national Roads Policing Team will be providing a high visibility presence across Argyll, they will also be delivering initiatives such as ‘Operation Close Pass’ which is aimed at tackling dangerous overtaking of cyclists and raising cyclist awareness amongst other road users. Our national motorcycle unit will be out supporting local policing across Argyll in the coming period specifically to encourage safe and responsible road use by motorcyclists. There focus will be engagement, education and enforcement. We are also working with the Safety Camera Partnership to have their speed detection van deployed at various locations again to deter and detect those intent on speeding. ASB/Violence We were recently informed that the Argyll & Bute council funding for the CCTV upgrade has been approved which is great news and will provide a greater deterrent across Helensburgh for violence and ASB. We look forward to being part of these discussions and to see the future plans. We continue to see a reduction in ASB related calls but are determined to continue supporting local communities with ongoing concerns. Seasonal ASB includes a rise in reported ASB on Loch Lomond in places such as Luss and Duck Bay Marine. Multi agency partnership working is vital, and we are thankful of the support local stakeholders provide us. A rise in waterborne ASB on Loch Lomond has been evident this year but we have been working hard with Loch Lomond National Park Rangers and staff to maximise our response. In the heart of our communities, we pro-actively visit problematic tenancies along with housing partners to positively impact on ASB at the earliest possible opportunity. This information is then briefed out to local policing to ensure they are aware of ongoing demand and intelligence. The Preventions Team at Dumbarton are in daily contact with the ASB and Housing Teams across A&B. Requests can range from a single email to a full disclosure which is required when legal action is being taken against a resident.
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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 Public Protection We continue to support individuals through a victim centred approach our officers receive regular training and guidance to ensure that we are supporting those affected with a professionalism and empathy. Domestic and gender based violence remains a priority and we robustly manage these investigations, safeguarding victims and targeting those responsible. We have engaged with GP surgeries in the area providing advice and guidance on the Herbert Protocol which is a pre-prepared information pack for those living with dementia who are at a higher risk of going missing. We have asked the pack to be provided or discussed with families at diagnosis. The information can be provided immediately to police should the person go missing. Community Engagement In August we welcome a new Youth Engagement Officer to Helensburgh, PC Charlene Reece takes over from PC Haining Gallacher. Charlene has big shoes to fill but we are very much looking forward to her starting and to seeing the positive impact which she will have supporting our young persons across the area. 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
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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 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 - Your Police 2024-2025 - Police Scotland - Citizen Space