Police Scotland Update
Argyll and Bute Council · 22 August 2023
Back to Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group — 22 August 2023 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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POLICE SCOTLAND UPDATE Partners Intelligence Portal Police Scotland is committed to Keeping People Safe. Our priority is on the protection of those at risk of harm through prevention, early intervention and the robust investigation of those who pose such a risk. We are committed to working with our Partners in the public, private and third sectors to ensure our approach to Public Protection is focused, meaningful and collaborative. This commitment allows us to continually improve the service and support provided to victims and their families, whilst working towards protecting those at risk of harm. Crimes such as child sexual abuse, human trafficking, sexual offences or domestic offences are often concealed from authorities, and may have occurred recently or in the past, all of which contributes to challenging, complex and sensitive enquiries. It may be that our partners have information which could be vital in contributing to a bigger picture. As part of our commitment and drive to improve, we are expanding the use of the Partners Intelligence Portal (PIP) through awareness and training to relevant organisations. PIP is a secure and confidential electronic system, developed by the Police Service to enable partner agencies to share important information they receive during the course of their work. This portal provides capable partners with the means to securely and discreetly submit key information, whilst maintaining safeguards which protect the source of the information. PIP is an information collection portal, and does not replace current incident or crime reporting methods, in particular the mechanism for child or adult referral. PIP is a tool which should enhance the procedures already in place for all. The information provided through the PIP portal will be dealt with as intelligence by Police Scotland. Intelligence is the useable form of information which has been subject to recognised processes to risk assess and determine how freely it can be used. This process is aimed at developing information around the threat, risk and harm posed by perpetrators and locations. By trying to capture what you already see, hear and know it will provide invaluable opportunities to target those who pose risk and protect those at risk of harm. The key aim is to provide a safe and secure pathway for Partner Agencies to share information that they believe the police need to know about in the investigation and prevention of crime. This training has been delivered to a number of housing associations in Helensburgh and Lomond and we will continue to roll this out wider. If you require any further information please contact ArgyllDumbartonshireCommunityEngagementTeam@scotland.police.uk Retailers Support in Helensburgh Our Community Engagement Officers have engaged with the local retailers group in Helensburgh. This has provided the opportunity to offer security advice visits and crime prevention surveys. Work is also ongoing to create a Neighbourhood Watch Scotland alert group for retailers as a means of sharing information and advice. Move In May Congratulations to the over 2,000 Police Scotland staff who competed in this year’s challenge by running, cycling, participating in Copstrong classes, and more!
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Unfortunately Argyll and West Dunbartonshire’s Divisional elite athletes didn’t quite make the top 10, however congratulations to 3 local teams who took home the local Gold, Silver and Bronze awards and earned themselves a gift card for their efforts. Progress Pride flag completes its journey around Argyll and West Dunbartonshire Division for Pride Month The Progress Pride flag has reached the end of its journey around Argyll and West Dunbartonshire Division, with Chief Superintendent Lynn Ratcliff being the final person to add their signature as an ally to mark Pride Month. The flag made its way around all of the offices in the division throughout June to allow all colleagues the opportunity to become allies if they wish to do so by signing the flag thereby helping to drive change by challenging negative attitudes and outdated stereotypes. It started its tour of the area on 1st June when our Equality, Diversion and Inclusion lead CI Ryan McMurdo became the first signatory to pledge his allyship. Pride Month is an annual celebration and commemoration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT+) pride. It began after the Stonewall riots, a series of gay liberation protests in 1969, and has since spread outside of the United States and around the world. The modern-day Pride Month both honours the movement for LGBT rights and celebrates LGBT culture. It is also a great opportunity for us all to show our support for LGBT+ officers, staff and communities and to challenge LGBT+ discrimination internally and externally. One of the themes of this year’s Pride Month is allyship. An LGBT ally is any police officer, member of staff or special constable who advocates for and champions LGBT+ colleagues in the workplace. Anyone can become an ally, whether you are part of the LGBT+ community or not. A recent Scottish Government report found that one in four hate crimes in 2020-21 involved a victim who was a police officer and in almost half of crimes experienced by police officers, the perpetrator showed a prejudice towards the LGBT+ community. It’s important we don’t underestimate the impact this has on our LGBT+ colleagues. Chief Supt. Ratcliff said: “My vision is for L Division to be the most inclusive area in Police Scotland, where our officers and staff feel a true sense of belonging and our communities feel supported, listened to and have total confidence in the service we deliver for them. It has never been more important for us to demonstrate our support for LGBT+ officers, staff and communities and I am proud to add my signature to the flag as a visibly ally.”
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Keep Safe in Helensburgh and Lomond A further Keep Safe business has been trained up in Helensburgh and Lomond. The Drumfork Centre joins our list of amazing community businesses and organisations who commit to supporting vulnerable people through the award winning Keep Safe Initiative. Interested businesses or groups have background checks carried out to ensure they are suitable and then have face to face training to learn about Keep Safe. From there they are issued with business packs including a window sticker to proudly display to let anyone passing know they are a Keep Safe place. If you are interesting in learning more please visit https://www.scotland.police.uk/advice-and-information/keep-safe- scheme/