Scottish Borders Council

Agenda item

Police Scotland

Update report by Police Inspector detailing ongoing work and initiatives in the Teviot and Liddesdale Area.

Minutes:

There had been circulated a report from Inspector Carol Wood, Police Scotland, updating the Teviot and Liddesdale Area Locality Committee on performance activities and issues in the area during June and July.  The Ward Plan priorities for Teviot and Liddesdale were highlighted as Drug Dealing and Misuse, Road Safety, Violent Crime and Antisocial Behaviour.  In summary, with regard to the Drug Dealing and Misuse priority, Inspector Wood advised that during the period there had been 10 drug related arrests, the majority relating to the possession of Class B drugs (cannabis and amphetamines). There had also been an arrest for the possession of amphetamines, cocaine and ecstasy.

 

7.2         In terms of the Road Safety priority, Community Officers continued to give attention to areas when they received complaints of speeding or inconsiderate driving.  In certain circumstances, motor vehicles could be seized by police where there was evidence that the vehicle was being driven carelessly or off road.  Vehicles continued to receive parking tickets and drivers were warned for parking longer that they should.  Inspector Wood advised that following an incident in Havelock Bank a male had been charged with careless driving, no insurance and road traffic offences. Similarly in Hassendean a male had been charged with no insurance and other road traffic offences.  Also in July, following the report of an abandoned vehicle in Newcastleton, a male had been charged with a drink driving offence.  Following accidents on Branxholme Road a male had also been charged with numerous road traffic offences. 

 

7.3         In respect of the Violent Crime priority, the police continued to work in close partnership with licensed premises to tackle issues of drunkenness and disorderly behaviour to reduce incidents.  Police patrols were focused on areas where violent crime had been reported.  During the period under consideration, there had been one reported serious assault and one reported assault to severe injury; both investigations were ongoing.  Also during the period, following a report of an assault in a take-away outlet in the Howegate, a 44 year old male had been reported to the Procurator Fiscal.  In addition, there was an assault by a 27 year old male when being presented to Hawick Custody Centre.  This assault had also been reported. 

 

7.4         With regard to the Antisocial Behaviour priority, two 13 year old male youths had been reported for throwing stone at vehicles in Fraser Avenue.  A report for Culpable and Reckless Behaviour had been submitted to the Youth Justice system.  There had also been a number of teenage male youths arrested on Common Riding Friday and Saturday whilst heavily under the influence of alcohol.  

 

7.5         Inspector Wood went on to advise that there had been a number of thefts to business premises in the area.  These were being investigated by the Criminal Investigation Department.  Over the period there had also been several shoplifting thefts reported by retailers and the reported use of forged currency.   A male had been since been arrested for tendering forged twenty-pound notes in the town.

 

7.6         The Chairman thanked Inspector Wood for the comprehensive report.  The Committee commended the police for the number of drug related arrests and their response to commercial thefts which had been supportive.   In answer to a question by a member of the public, Inspector Wood advised that there was not the resource to continually monitor CCTV, if a crime was reported then CCTV footage was analysed. Members discussed the location of an additional CCTV on the Common Haugh and there was a discussion on using pay and display car parking funds to pay for the equipment. 

 

DECISION

NOTED the report.

 

 

Supporting documents:

 

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