Police Scotland Update
Argyll and Bute Council · 28 August 2024
Back to Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Community Planning Group — 28 August 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 Page 1 of 8 OFFICIAL Area Planning Group Report for Oban, Lorn, Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands August 2024 Local Policing Priority What does this mean for your area? How can you help? In tackling Serious & Organised Crime benchmarks are not straight forward. The nature of the crime type is such that we often see the symptom rather than the cause, i.e. an increase in acquisitive crime if heroin were to become a problem in an area, or an increase in Serious Assaults if rival criminal factions are in dispute. For OLI & MAKI area, relevant factors that indicate progress being made in this area are: • Recorded crimes for ‘Possession with Intent to Supply’ controlled substances. Up 39% due to better analysis of intelligence and targeted warrants; • Prosecutions for ‘Possession of Controlled Substances’ under the Misuse of Drugs Act. Currently at 64 for the year, anticipated to exceed the 5 year average. Whilst rising recorded crime in this area is unwanted, the fact that it is rising shows that your local police are looking at it as a priority, putting resources and effort into tackling the issue. Of note, a number of warrants have been undertaken in the past 3 months: Your local police request your help in tackling Drug related crime by reporting any suspicions you may have either in person or anonymously via 101 or via crime stoppers online: Crimestoppers in Scotland | Crimestoppers (crimestoppers-uk.org) 0800 555 111 We rely on communities to provide us with the information that helps us tackle organised crime. Your intelligence is essential in securing warrants. Please, if you see, hear or suspect something, link with us directly or use the above information to voice your concerns. As you can see, your inputs help us take action.
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OFFICIAL Page 2 of 8 OFFICIAL • 12th July, where Officers undertook a warrant in Campbeltown, where 49.5 grams of cocaine was seized (approximate street value of £2,400) alongside £3556.40 in cash; • 20th June, where Officers undertook a warrant in Campbeltown, where a number of bags were recovered containing white power and green vegetable matter, along with a Taser and Baton. The above two focus on Campbeltown, but Oban continues to be at the forefront of our activity with pro-active plain clothed patrols to combat drug related activity. Those present might be aware of recent large-scale seizures this year, with 500kg of Cocaine seized in Hull and 25kg of Cannabis in Glasgow, both connected with organised crime within our area and being trafficked into the country. We continue to work with all agencies to prevent drugs coming into our communities. Evidence of this partnership approach is seen when looking at the previous 3 months across the whole of Argyll & West Dunbartonshire where 6 people linked to serious and organised crime have been arrested and £301,847 seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
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OFFICIAL Page 3 of 8 OFFICIAL Acquisitive Crime encompasses all Theft type crimes, including Housebreaking and Frauds. Crimes such as shoplifting sprees or a series of sheds being broken into can quickly distort figures and risk when analysing this group. On average 120 crimes occur a year (where an avareage is stated, this is based on a 5 year average). We are currenlty at 112 recorded crimes, which would indicate us being around the average (or above) by the close of the recording year. Shoplifting has been driven down in the area by 39% through good work targetting offenders early and working with stores where a vulnerability is discovered. However, Frauds, which we have repeatedly sent out advice about, continue to prove difficult to prevent with a 54.5% increase recorded on last year’s figures. Why are Frauds difficult to manage/prevent? This crime type is often perpetrated by using technology to access the victim’s home, be it on phone or via the World Wide Web. Often the criminals involved are technically advanced and evidentially aware and, most importantly, outside of the jursidiction of the United Kingdom. As a result of that our detection rate in Acquisitive Crime stands at 26.8% for this year. Crimes like Fraud within this group pull down the average, when other crime types like Shoplifting are at 67%. As previously stated, statistics rarely tell the full picture on their own. Your local police wants members of the APGs to help us by following us on our social media channels and help us spread crime prevention advice and guidance. Fraud Seminars can be provided by the Community Engagement team should you wish. Contct PS Shaw who will pass your details on to the relevant team. Read tips on Argyll & Bute’s Trading Standards Website on practice to protect yourself from the activity of Rogue Traders.
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OFFICIAL Page 4 of 8 OFFICIAL There are many strands to understanding road safety, from the amount of crimes, to the amount of accidents and injuries that occur upon our network. Police Scotland are one of many partner agencies that contribute to trying to improve the safety of local infrastructure. On average we record 384 crimes on the roads in MAKI and OLI. At the most serious are Dangerous Driving & Drink Drive offences, through to regulatory and speeding offences. Currently, to the year to date we are at 210 crimes, meaning we are on course to be around that average by the end of the year. Of concern in the figures to date is an increase in both Dangerous Driving (35% on last year) and Driving Under the Influence (22% on last year). With regards to the latter, we are yet to reach our peak demand time, being the Christmas period. Though culturally frowned upon and numerous initiatives warning of the dangers and repercussions, driving under the influence of drink/drugs continues to be a problematic crime for our area. Not least because of the risk it places other road users at. It is not a crime undertaken by one clear demographic either, with all ages, genders and holiday makers/local residents alike being involved. In the period for April 2024 to June 2024 we have seen a general decrease in road traffic collisions where serious injuries and minor injuries have occurred. Both categories have reduced by almost 50% when compared with the same period last year. We are saddened to report that death rates from road traffic collisions remain largely the same. For the period detailed You can help your local Police by reporting anyone who is suspected of drink or drug driving within your community either in person, via 101 or via crime stoppers online: Crimestoppers in Scotland | Crimestoppers (crimestoppers-uk.org) 0800 555 111 As said, OLI and MAKI continue to have heightened drink/drug drive figures despite local and national work to address this issue. In light of this, we would like to ask those members of the APG, “What can your local community, organisation or business do to help impact on drink & drug driving?”
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OFFICIAL Page 5 of 8 OFFICIAL (April to June), 3 deaths occurred rather than 4 for the previous year, but in July two more motorcyclists tragically passed away as a result of collisions they were involved in on our local trunk roads. We recognise the huge impact these losses have on the communities that we serve and continue to work with our partners to understand ways and practices to drive down these figures, be it through education, awareness, road management or further speed control measures. Violent Crime covers a range of offences from Stalking, Assaults, Domestic Abuse through to the worst offence of Murder. For our area we get, on average, 124 crimes a year for this crime group. It has been noticeable that to date, for this year we are already above this average, recording 155 crimes. Our data shows that this increase in from 2 distinct sources – an increase of low-level common assaults (i.e. a punch or push) and assaults against Police Officers, which has seen an increase of 57%. When you see an increase of both low levels assaults and assaults against Police, this indicates that intoxicants are involved and night time economy (pubs and clubs) are contributing to the issues faced. This correlates with an increase in Threatening & Abusive Behaviour that has also seen a 33% increase on the average, with a 161 offences recorded to date. Though there has been an increase, our detection rate within this area of crime remains strong, with 65.2% of cases successfully charged. Please help us tackle Violent Crime by reporting any ASB or community concerns either in person via 101 or via crime stoppers online: Crimestoppers in Scotland | Crimestoppers (crimestoppers-uk.org) 0800 555 111 As APG members, if you have identified problem areas, ASB hotspots, or licencees that are not acting in a responsible way, please link with us to advise of the problem. We can set up bespoke patrols and use our powers under Licensing Laws to ensure responsible practice. The sooner we are informed about an issue the less chance there is that it grows into an enduring community issue.
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OFFICIAL Page 6 of 8 OFFICIAL This area of public protection spans a number of traditional crime types, including Child Protection, to crimes under Sexual Offences legislation. For our area we get, on average, 37 crimes per year. Currently, for the year to date, we are 10.8% below this threshold, with a notable reduction in physical assaults. This crime area is one that can be problematic when considering detection rates, as reported crimes are often historic, with little available evidence and rely on one person’s word against another. Currently this rate is 63.6% for this year. What the above data doesn’t show are the multiple protective processes being undertaken every day by specialist units to ensure the safety of our communities. Examples of this include daily Inter-Agency Referral Discussions following reported child concerns, Adult Support & Protection Meetings for identified vulnerable persons in our communities, a dedicated Domestic Abuse Investigation Unit as well as the Sex Offender Policing Unit. There are numerous other departments/initiatives working towards this joint goal of protecting our communities, that I’ll highlight the work of in the meetings moving forward. Members of the APG can help us by reporting any concerns you may have regarding potential victims of Domestic Abuse or vulnerable persons, who may be being exploited or who may just need additional crime prevention support. Again this can be reported through the channels previously discussed, but where serious safety concerns are present, better outcomes are achieved by in person reporting so we can properly understand the risks present.
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OFFICIAL Page 7 of 8 OFFICIAL Other relevant news from your local policing teams Operation Navette: Is Police Scotland’s response to the ongoing protests/riots taking place around the UK. At the time of writing, I’m pleased to report that our local communities are showing no evidence of these tensions. It is my hope that, by the time I speak at the Planning Groups, this is still the same as, largely, the integrated, localised nature of our communities normally prevents national trends like this from becoming a factor. However, our officers have been conducting community reassurance visits to understand the needs of those we serve and to understand if anyone has any fears or concerns they wish to raise. Public Confidence: Police Scotland routinely seeks to test check satisfaction of service from those that we help. In our most recent survey (covering Argyll and West Dunbartonshire) 68% of those asked were either ‘very satisfied’ or ‘satisfied’ with the service they received from Police Scotland. This mirrors rates from last year. We continue to work to improve these figures through training and appropriate supervision, ensuring our dedicated officers provide a high quality of service across the area in all aspects of policing. One of the ways your local team does this is by reviewing all requests for service each day, test checking the action taken, to ensure that the correct response is provided and that our officers conduct themselves in accordance with Police Scotland Policy and Scottish Crime Recording Standards. In analysing the demand within our policing area it has been determined that a large number of calls stem from residents not knowing which agency they should contact, resulting in linking with the Police as the agency of last resort. The below links are to help channel enquiries to the correct agencies: Useful Links/Contacts: • Argyll and Bute Communtiy Directory - https://abcd.scot/ - this excellent site signposts you to all available services in your area, be it advocacy, counselling, debt advice or animal welfare; • 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 & https://www.abcab.org.uk/ - Argyll and Bute Citizens Advice Bureau is a local, independent charity which provides free, impartial and confidential advice and information to give you the tools you need to sort out any issues or problems; • Argyll and Bute Council Trading Standards – 01546 605 519 • Argyll and Bute Council – https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/my-council/how-contact-us
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OFFICIAL Page 8 of 8 OFFICIAL • 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/ • Scam Share Bulletin Trading Standards Scotland Bulletin 6 June (mailchi.mp) • Age Scotland- Demetia Information and help- https://www.agescotland.org.uk/ • Neighbourhood Watch - sign up to to receive local alerts and bulletins for your community area - https://neighbourhoodwatchscotland.co.uk/#0 • Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) - https://www.sepa.org.uk/ - for pollution, environmental safety, flooding, waste disposal/carrying enquiries Follow us on Social Media and help share local appeals and education messages: • Facebook - Police Scotland Argyll and West Dunbartonshire • X (formerly Twitter) – PSOSArgyllBute and PSOS ArgWestDunb Report Completed by Sgt Matthew Shaw on behalf of Area Commander Chief Insp Simon Shanks Email Address Matthew.shaw@scotland.police.uk