Agenda item

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

        There had been circulated, at the meeting, copies of a report from Inspector Wood, Police Scotland, which updated the Forum on the performance, activities and issues up to 31 December 2014.  The report highlighted that reported crime was on a par as at this time last year. Whilst it was disappointing to see the drop in solvency rates, there had been a drop in the reports of serious and minor assaults and sexual crimes, coupled with an increase in the number of people being detected for the supply and production of drugs. There were currently 29 individuals at various stages of the anti social behaviour process. During December nine Anti Social Behaviour Fixed Penalty tickets had been issued.  There had been a number of searches carried out, which had resulted in a number of recoveries of alcohol and one of drugs.    On 9 December, a cattle lorry had been found abandoned on the Bonchester to Hawick road, a quad bike was on the back.  The vehicle and bike had been stolen from Kirkton and a positive line of enquiry was progressing.  Three quad bikes had been stolen from a secure farm shed in the Newcastleton area, enquiries were continuing.  Visits to itinerant scrap metal dealers continued.  Over the next few months, an information leaflet, covering a range of issues relating to rural theft, would be delivered to every farm in the Scottish Borders.  Police Scotland would also utilise the Scottish Border Council SB Alert scheme to disseminate information and appeals, and encouraged signing up to the scheme at www.sbalert.co.uk.    Road checks had been carried out in both Ward areas during the period.  One ticket had been issued for the use of a mobile phone and one driver was given a warning for the anti social use of a motor vehicle.   In Burnfoot, two persons were charged with a number of road traffic offences and two mopeds were seized.   A large fire occurred at Spital Tower, Denholm resulting in extensive damage and the total loss of property.  Enquiries established the fire was not suspicious.  A male had been searched on the High Street and found to be in possession of a large kitchen knife; the male had been arrested, charged and kept in custody to appear at court.  Officers had attended an alarm activation at the Superdrug premises and discovered the shop had been forcibly entered and various items stolen.  On the same evening, there had also been an attempt to enter Yeomans' Outdoor Leisure premises.  Enquiries had led to the search of two residential properties under warrant and enquires were progressing.  As part of Operation Archerfish, officers had stopped a vehicle close to the Carter Bar, which was believed to be heading for Hawick, a seach of the vehicle recovered drugs with a street value of £9,000.  There had been a delay in updating the Ward plans and these should appear on the Police Scotland website in the next few weeks.

        Councillor Marshall stated that Hobkirk Community Council were concerned at the increase in rural crime.  Councillor McAteer expressed concern at the 12% drop in solvency rates and the increase in drug offences.  He acknowledged that it was not the fault of Officers but the reduction in policing numbers that was the cause.

        DECISION

        NOTED the Forum’s concern to the drop in solvency rates.