Agenda item

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

There had been circulated a report from Inspector Carol Wood, Police Scotland, updating the Teviot and Liddesdale Area Locality Committee on performance and activities in the area since the last meeting.  Inspector Wood referred to the Ward priorities; in summary, with regard to the Drug Dealing and Misuse priority, Inspector Wood advised that following a house search in Borthwick Road, on 28 November, a 47 year old male had been charged with the production and possession of a Class B drug.  In terms of the Road Safety priority one driver had been reported for driving without insurance, one fixed penalty had been issued for speeding and one warning given for the antisocial use of a vehicle.  With regard to the Violent Crime priority, a male was attacked in North Bridge Street when he had intervened in a fight between two males.  Enquiries were still ongoing into this incident. Also during the reporting period, eight police warnings were given for antisocial behaviour as well as two fixed penalty notices.   Inspector Wood referred to the escalation in antisocial behaviour within Hawick High School.   Police Officers had met with educational staff and council officials and as a result it had been agreed to a police presence within the school, to support teachers and take appropriate action against the minority of youths causing issues for the majority of pupils.   The Committee paid tribute to officers, teachers, staff and pupils who had worked to resolve the difficulties at the High School. 

3.2       Inspector Wood went on to advise that the Police had been contacted regarding a pack of dogs out hunting near Scaurend.  Details had been obtained and the local Wildlife Crime Officer was pursuing enquiries into the incident.   Inspector Wood also referred to Police Scotland’s Festive Safety initiative which covered a number of aspects of personal, public and road safety, including encouraging the public to sign up to the free messaging SB Alert to receive updates on crime, scams, weather warnings, road closures and other emergencies.   Police Scotland had also launched the Don’t Buy It Don’t Supply It campaign, this related to parental purchase of alcohol for teenagers and to anyone supplying alcohol to someone under 18 years of age.  This could result in significant fines or a three month jail sentence for offenders.  In conjunction, the festive Drink Drive campaign was also underway.  Inspector Wood reminded members of the public that they could notify Police anonymously through Crimestoppers if they suspected anyone of drunk driving.  The phone number was 0800 555 111.   Inspector Wood concluded her report by advising that the 16 Days of Action campaign, to end violence against women, had just concluded with the launch of Police Scotland’s media campaign to tackle domestic abuse over the festive period.  Further information relating to this campaign could be found on Police Scotland’s website.   In response to a question regarding accidents on the A698, particularly between Denholm and Hawick, Inspector Wood advised that any accidents were investigated and this route received additional police patrols. 

DECISION

NOTED the report.