Agenda item

Chief Superintendent McKenzie began his report by explaining the change to reporting format, which now detailed a breakdown of all crime types within each group.  He advised that solvency rate for Group 1 crime was current at 75% - one of the highest solvency rates in Scotland, with common assault rates of 71% - which was above the l average.  He reiterated his commitment to focus on violent crime and antisocial behaviour as detailed in the Policing Priorities 2019/20.  Chief Superintendent McKenzie then discussed mobile working, explaining that officers would have access to a hand held device which would enable them to undertake administration and input crime reports, whilst working in the community.  There had been a successful pilot project in Dundee, which would be rolled out to the Scottish Borders.  Officers’ training on devices would commence in October.   Another new initiative was the Contact Assessment Model (CAM), which would be used by front line staff.   He explained that when a call to the police service was received, an officer would make an assessment based on threat, risk and harm.   Lanarkshire had piloted CAM and based on the resolution process adopted a reduction response officer attendance had been secured whilst maintaining a service to the public.

4.2        With regard to the community action team (CAT), Chief Superintendent McKenzie advised that six additional officers would be appointed by the end of 2019.  He emphasised that that there would be no reduction in community police officers as a result of the CAT, however, he would be carrying out a review to ascertain areas of good practice in relation to Community Policing with the aim of enhancing service delivery.   He then went on to advise of successful national multi-agency work in relation to missing person which would be implemented in the Scottish Borders.  He also explained that when dealing with people in crisis, it was important to assess the correct service for their needs.  He then referred to a proposed safe site pilot in West Lothian where individuals could be removed to a place of safety, explaining that there were logistical issues around a safe place in the Scottish Borders.  However, the Chief Executive was supported of the principle and he would bring back further details to a future meeting.   In response to a question requesting police reports to community councils, he advised that it was not feasible to provide 69 individual reports, a review was ongoing and going forward reporting would be in in terms of multi member ward data.   The Community Council network was noted as a possible point of contact for distribution.

4.3         Chief Inspector Stuart Reid then presented Police Scotland’s Scrutiny Report for the Q1- April 2019 to June 2019 compared against the same reporting period the previous year.  Copies of the report had been circulated with the Agenda. 

4.4         Protecting People (Q1 2018/19 figures shown in brackets)

There had been a decrease in missing person incidents to 174 (172).  The report highlighted that quarterly meetings with NHS Borders had resulted in a Missing Person Protocol, to enable allocation of policing resources to the most vulnerable in the community.  There had been an increase of 83% in Racially Aggravated Conduct to 11 (6).   The detection rate was 92.3%, a 7.7% reduction.   There had been an increase in Sexual Crimes to 65 (51).  The detection rate was 64.6% which was an improvement of 17.5%.   Reports of lewd and libidinous practices had risen in recent weeks.  Additional resources within the Public Protection business area had been allocated to this area.   There were 263 (270) Domestic Abuse Incidents reported.  The detection rate was 73.3%.  Chief Inspector Reid referred to the introduction of the Domestic Abuse Scotland Act and the rise in reporting incidents, which had been anticipated. 

4.5         Reducing Violence.  There were 10 (8) incidents of serious assault, five of which had a domestic aggravator.     There were 6 (1) robberies, due to this low number the increase showed as 500%.  There were 233 (220) Common Assault incidents, 30% of which had alcohol aggravators. 

4.6         Reducing Antisocial Behaviour.  There were 1454 (1508) reported incidents, a reduction of 3.6%.   Chief Inspector Reid advised that they continued to support the Best Bar None initiative, currently focused on Galashiels and Hawick’s night-time economy.

4.7         Tackling Substance Misuse.  Drug Supply, Production and Cultivation – There had been a reduction of 29.4% to 12 (17).  Tackling substance misuse remained a priority and policing teams continued to respond to intelligence in relation to drug misuse.  

4.8         Road Safety.  There were 2 fatal (2), 21 serious (15), and 38 (37) slight road casualties.  The report also detailed the number of offences related to motor vehicles.  There had been a rise in the number of drink/drug driving detections.  Concerned by this, a three week campaign based around detection and prevention had commenced, which highlighted the personal impact and possible consequences of drink/drug driving.   Chief Superintendent Mackenzie added that it was imperative that landlords and the community reported any concerns to the police.

4.9         Acquisitive Crime.   There were 443 (339) incidents of dishonesty.  There were 62 (47) house-break-ins; 35 (18) in relation to dwellings, 14 (10) in respect of garages and 13 (19) other businesses.

4.10       Community Action Team (CAT).  During the period the Community Action Team had carried out 118 hours of foot patrols, 133 mobile patrols, 27 static road check, issued 14 fixed penalty notice and 209 parking tickets.  

4.11       Complaints.  To conclude the report, Chief Inspector Reid advised that there had been 14 complaints received with two, relating to the quality of service provided. 

4.12       In response to questions, it was advised that the statistics for drink/drug driving could be separated for future reporting.  In terms of the CAT, practicalities around branding would be considered.  The tasking for the CAT followed on from monthly meetings, once CAT 2 was operational, details on location of tasking could be included in the report.  However, details of ongoing or proposed tasking would not be available as this was live, sensitive information.    Regarding the theft of agricultural equipment this was cross border, organised crime.  As there was a large rural road network to cover, the police asked that any reports of suspicious vehicles or individuals be reported to them.    PC Walker added that he was involved in setting up a rural partnership to promote preventative measures in response to rural crime.   There was approximately 30 Special Constables across J Division, with recruitment ongoing locally and nationally.  Chief Inspector Reid highlighted the valuable support provided by Street Pastors. 

DECISION

NOTED

(a)             The report; and

(b)             That an update on CAM be presented to the November meeting.