Scottish Borders Council

Agenda item

Progress Reports/Updates on Service Matters - Police Scotland

Minutes:

Superintendent Walker, representing Chief Superintendent Clark, advised that Iain  Livingstone had been appointed as the next Chief Constable of Police Scotland.  Mr Livingston was well respected within the police service and officers were delighted at his appointment.    Superintendent Walker then gave a brief overview of service matters explaining that road safety continued to be a challenge in the Scottish Borders, particularly with regard to motorcyclists.    He then discussed the work of the Community Action Team (CAT) successfully tackling rural crime.   He concluded by advising that Mental health issues continued to be a challenge with 80% of incidents requiring police attendance, not being crime related.  Police Scotland continued to work with the NHS, Scottish Ambulance Service and local councils to try to improve mental health provision in rural areas.  

 

 4.2      Chief Inspector McLean then presented Police Scotland’s Scrutiny Report for the period 1 April 2018 to 30 June 2018, copies of which had been circulated with the Agenda. 

 

 4.3      Domestic Abuse – During the period there had been a reduction in domestic abuse incidents which positively reflected the work being carried out by police and partner agencies.  The introduction of TecSOS technology had also contributed to this reduction.

 

 4.4      Road safety – The report showed that during the period there had been two motorcyclist fatalities, both motorcyclists were from outwith the area.   The report advised that motorcyclists were encouraged to attend the Drivewise Borders programme which had been introduced to enhance safer driving practices for motorcyclists.   Police Scotland also supported the National Motorcycle Safety Plan engaging with local and visiting motorcyclists to provide advice and guidance on their driving behaviour.  Chief Inspector McLean advised that although there had been a decrease in under 25s and over 65s involved in collisions, education and enforcement needed to be expanded.  Chief Inspector McLean referred to the deployment of ‘Pop up Bob’ which was still being well received and it was intended to introduce further life size images of police officers in the future.   In response to a question, he advised that he would request monitoring the speed of farm vehicles at Westruther

 

 4.5      Violent Crime – There had been a 14% reduction in violent crime which reflected the work           being carried out by police and partners in the Scottish Borders.   Chief Inspector McLean          referred to the importance of the Best Bar None scheme, Challenge 25 and weekend high      visibility patrols in certain areas.  However, these initiatives could not influence excessive         alcohol consumption in the home

 

4.6       Antisocial Behaviour – Incidents were down by 5.1%.  Chief Inspector McLean explained that this figure also included social media incidents.   There were regular meetings with the Antisocial Behaviour Core Group and work with landlords to influence behaviour.  There had been an increase of 33.3% (2 additional) racially aggravated incidents, both of which had been at the lower end of the scale.  Chief Inspector McLean praised the work of the Street Pastors which freed up police time to allow for the continuation of their high visible patrols.

 

4.7       Drugs and Alcohol Misuse –There were no specific figures to report. However, Chief Inspector McLean referred to the partnership working with the Licensing Board, licensees and event organisers to ensure Challenge 25 and Don’t Buy, Don’t Supply were being adhered to at events and festivals.   Police Scotland together with the CAT were also providing a high visible deterrent at these events.

 

4.8       Protecting People – There had been a 22% increase in missing person incidents (31 incidents).   Chief Inspector McLean clarified the grading of incidents and advised that any person graded high risk involved all police officers and backroom staff.  Police Scotland’s focus on doorstep crime also continued, especially crimes targeting the vulnerable and elderly.  The Banking Protocol initiative was discussed and Chief Inspector McLean referred to a recent incident when the Protocol had prevented a large cash withdrawal.

 

4.9       Acquisitive crime – There had been a 27.6% decrease, resulting in 19 fewer premises being broken into.  This positively reflected the work the police and community were doing to increase security and deter criminals.  Collaboration also continued with the NFU which had contributed to the decline. 

 

4.10     Demand Analysis – The report explained that although there had been a reduction in crime this did not correlate to a reduction in demand for police in the Scottish Borders.  A significant amount of the work carried out by Police Scotland was not for a reported crime but related to concerns for the wellbeing of a person or an appropriate referral to partner agencies.  Chief Inspector McLean, concluded his report by advising that during the period there had been 45 complaints against Police Scotland, including 56 allegations, 32 on duty complaints and 52 regarding quality of service.  The majority of complaints were resolved by discussion although some would be upheld.  It was requested that statistics on detection rates be included in the next report.

 

4.11     Police Community Action Team

Chief Inspector McLean then gave a briefing on the work of the Police Community Action Team (CAT) and circulated at the meeting an impact report for quarter 1 – April to June 2018, detailing the tasking being carried out in the five localities.  The report showed that the CAT had undertaken 69 stop and searches with a 35% success rate. Warrants for searches had also resulted in 90% success rate.   The CAT had also been involved in the recovery of a significant amount of drugs as well as issuing 219 parking tickets.

 

4.12     In response to questions, Chief Inspector McLean advised that with regard to online abuse, if an incident was reported then Police Scotland’s Online Investigation team would assess.  Incidents should also be referred to online agencies e.g. Facebook, Twitter who had a duty to investigate any abusive content on their sites.  With regard to the notification of drug raids to local Members, he advised that as part of partnership working, elected members were advised, he would investigate why this had not occurred on the occasion referred to.  Regarding removal of items during stop and searches, he advised that this was dependant on the type of equipment found and if removal was covered by the appropriate legislation.   With regard to Police attendance at road accidents, he confirmed that if there were no injuries or allegations, and the drivers had exchanged insurance details, there was no necessitate for police attendance. 

 

4.13     The Board then discussed cyclists and suggested a safety media campaign reminding cyclists to wear helmets, use reflective equipment and lights.  Chief Inspector McLean advised that as a part of their Winter Campaign, Police Scotland would target paperboys and newsagents reminding them of the need to use lights and reflective equipment when cycling.   Chief Inspector McLean then clarified that proxy buying of alcohol was an offence and that regular operations were carried out to try to deter proxy buying.   The Board welcomed the Banking Protocol Initiative and Chief Inspector McLean advised that he would explore if there was an opportunity to include local post offices within the Protocol.  The Board suggested that it would be useful if future reports could include longer trend statistics e.g. over the three to five year period and Inspector McLean advised that they were still developing the format but reports could be tweaked to meet the demands of the Board.  

 

DECISION

NOTED the report.

 

 

Supporting documents:

 

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