Police Scotland Update
Argyll and Bute Council · 12 November 2024
Back to Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group — 12 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 Helensburgh and Lomond 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 Acquisitive crime continues to be a priority with some local crime statistics continuing to be on an upward trajectory. This is in line with the broader national picture and appears, in part, to be a result of the cost-of-living crisis. In particular, we continue to see a significant increase in theft shopliftings in the local area. Recent work has been focused on tackling this by taking a holistic approach involving both our Preventions Team, Community and Response officers. This has included the collation of data regarding recidivist offenders, maximising crime prevention opportunities and increasing local awareness of the issue. A robust approach is in place and effective arrests have been made as a result. This issue will continue to be closely monitored and we have plans going forward to request that courts make consideration of the use of Criminal Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (CrASBOs). 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 issues such as bogus workmen and online scams. (Figures from 1st April – 16th October 2024) Crime Type 5 Year Average PYTD YTD % Change from previous Year Common Theft 34.8 36 16 -55.6% Fraud 17.2 23 14 -39.1% Theft shoplifting 15.6 14 34 +142.9% Road Safety & Road Crime Across Argyll & Bute we are committed to reducing road deaths by targeting the 5 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 enforcement and education. We very much welcome the new average speed cameras on the A82 at Luss and the safety cameras in Cardross and hope these cameras positively influence driver behaviour and decision making. As a result of our continued presence within local community councils and partnership meetings we are able to identify locations which our community have identified as areas of concern for speeding. Our officers are all trained in the use of hand help speed detection devices and will always look for opportunities to target these areas throughout the course of their shift.
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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 Year to date across our area (including Cowal and Bute) 40 persons who 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 years numbers. Our fatal road accident stats 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 • People’s manner or driving • Visitors to Argyll Join partnership events in Inverary with Road policing MC officers and the Institute of advanced motorists targeting motorcycles. This included Assessed drives and advice. Event was well attended and have received positive feedback something which we will continue to develop and promote. 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 Helensburgh and Lomond we continue to support our night-time 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 anti-social behaviour which may escalate into violence. We often work with partners, including engaging with the Royal Navy Police and Ministry of Defence Police, to maximise our presence and share priority areas and taskings. Local officers and members of the management team are also part of the Helensburgh and Lomond Anti-Social Behaviour group and work closely with partners in identifying neighbour disputes that have the potential for escalation. Joint visits often take place between Housing Associations and Police and where appropriate, mediation is offered.
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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 Public protection remains a local and force-wide priority and at the forefront of policing. Helensburgh and Lomond 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 Community Policing Our community police team have been maximising their presence across Helensburgh and Lomond. They continue to create and enhance new local links with partners from housing, RNP and 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. There has recently been a spate of calls to Hermitage Park in Helensburgh, some of which have been deemed to have been false calls to the police, however, our officers continue to do regular patrols of this area and proactively deal with any anti-social behaviour. Operation Moonbeam Planning is underway nationally and locally in relation to Operation Moonbeam for Bonfire Night. The local operation will look to tackle anti-social behaviour in the upcoming weeks and on Bonfire Night itself. In previous years Argyll and Bute have not seen the ASB levels which have been prevalent across the country but we will not be complacent ensuring we have robust plans to deal with any sporadic incidents. CCTV Work remains ongoing to invest and upgrade the CCTV within Helensburgh. Argyll and Bute Council have received quotes regarding this and they are currently being reviewed.
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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 Looking Forward We are looking forward to welcoming some new probationers to Helensburgh in the coming months. These new officers will bolster our existing officer numbers providing more resilience and support to our communities. They come fresh faced and eager to make a difference and we look forward to their arrival. 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/