Agenda item

            Police Scotland

            The Chairman welcomed the new Police Divisional Commander Chief Superintendent Lesley Clark to the Board.  The Chief Superintendent advised that she had recently taken up the post and would be responsible for four diverse local authority divisions.  Chief Superintendent Clark was currently engaging with front line staff to consider improvements going forward to ensure the service was the best if could be to meet future demands.  

4.2       Chief Inspector McLean presented the Police Scrutiny report for November 2017, which had been circulated. The report detailed the figures for the six Priority areas to date and compared them to the figures for the same period in 2016/17.  Chief Inspector McLean advised that this would be the last report presented in this format; a new format would be presented before April in accordance with implementation of the new Local Police Plan.

4.3       Priority 1 – Protecting People.  Adult at Risk Referrals made to partner agencies were showing a 16.3% decrease on 2016/17 figures, 91 fewer referrals.  All officers were fully conversant with the IVPD system. However, the criteria for submitting referrals had been re-assessed and this was the reason for the decline.    With regard to Domestic Abuse Initial Checks, 95% of checks were carried out within 24 hours, this was above target and an improvement on last year’s figure.

4.4       Priority 2 – Reducing Violence, Disorder and Antisocial Behaviour.  There had been a 6% decrease in Common Assaults reported in the year to date when compared with 2016/17, 24 fewer victims. There was a robust process in place every weekend with specific patrols detailed at key locations.  This visible deterrent was reflected in the decline in incidences of assault.    With regard to antisocial behaviour incidents, there had been a 16.7% increase (441 more incidents).  Many of the calls were of a low level nuisance type, particularly where youths were involved. However, some were of more significance including setting fire to a wreath at a war memorial.   Work was ongoing with partner agencies to ensure appropriate early and effective interventions.   Chief Inspector McLean then discussed the decrease in the number of recorded victims of hate crime.  He explained that the this could be because hate crime was underreported, or that Police Scotland’s robust response to hate crime had contributed to the decline.

4.5       Priority 3 – Tackling Substance Misuse.  During the period there had been 161 stop and searches of which 77 proved positive.  Chief Inspector McLean explained that current reporting methods meant that a further breakdown of search activity to individual categories was not possible.  There had been a 22.4% increase in the number of licensed premises visited during the period which equated to 60 more visits. The Best Bar none scheme which awarded good practice was highlighted, and the Board were asked to encourage licensees to participate in the scheme. 

4.6       Priority 4 – Making our Roads Safer.   There was a 42.6% decrease (23 fewer casualties) in the year to date. There were four people killed, which was five fewer than last year.  Accidents involving motorcyclists made up a significant proportion of the casualties.  There were a number of initiatives underway focusing on younger and older drivers including “Drive Wise” which provided enhanced training to 17-25 year old and the over 65s.

4.7       Priority 5 – Tackling Serious and Organised Crime.  Cash seizures were higher than the value in the same time period last year.  However, opportunities for cash seizures under POCA legislation were limited, as there were strict criteria to follow.   During the period £3,050 had been seized.   There had also been £11,876 of assets referred for restraint through POAC.   Detections for drug supply remained the same compared to the same time period in 2016/17.  Ongoing proactive tactics continued to be implemented to deter, disrupt and detect activity. 

4.8       Priority 6 – Tacking Acquisitive Crime.   There was a 47.2% increase in the number of housebreaking to dwellings in the year to date, with 17 more victims reported.  The Scottish Borders has seen an increase in travelling criminals committing both business and domestic housebreakings   Joint working with neighbouring divisions had resulted in notable detections and disruption of criminal activity.  During the time period there had also been a 16.7% increase in thefts of motor vehicles which equated to five more victims of this type of crime. This increase in part related to the same travelling criminal issues as identified in relation to housebreaking. 

4.9       To conclude, Chief Inspector McLean advised that in relation to Overall Crime there had been a 3.5% decrease in detection rates compared to the same period last year. However, the detection rate for the Scottish Borders was higher than the divisional detection rate.  There was a continued drive and focus on priorities and all crime reports were scrutinised by supervisors to ensure that nothing was missed from an enquiry perspective.  

4.10     During discussions regarding the statistics provided, Chief Inspector McLean provided clarity on a number of issues. With regard to the reduction in road accident rates potentially being as a result of the young drivers’ scheme, he advised that this was difficult to evidence although the accident rate had plummeted.   The increase in litter was referred to and Chief Inspector McLean explained that if officers did not witness the incident it was difficult to pursue.  Reference was made to ongoing Bilsten Glen complaints, the Board were informed that further investment had been made to the Control Room, the staff dealt with thousands of often complex calls on a daily basis and unfortunately mistakes did happen occasionally.  With regard to the proposed merger with British Transport Police, Chief Superintendent Clark advised that no dedicated timeline had been set for the merger.  However, a dedicated officer was in place to progress the project and HR were on board to ensure the smoothest transition possible.  The Board discussed that it would be useful to compare local figures with national outcomes and this was noted. The Chairman thanked Chief Superintendent Clark and Chief Inspector McLean for the informative report.   

            DECISION

            NOTED:

            (a)        the report; and

            (b)        that consideration be given to including national outcomes in the Progress Report for comparison with local figures.