Agenda item

(i)              Update on Service and Operational Matters

(ii)             Performance Report.  (Copy attached).

(iii)            Police Chief Superintendent John McKenzie

3.            Progress Reports/Updates on Service Matters - Police Scotland

3.1       With reference to paragraph 3 of the minute of 14 May 2021, there had been circulated copies of Police Scotland’s Scrutiny Report for Quarter 1.  Chief Superintendent McKenzie introduced the Q1 report, highlighting the main points from the report.  He explained that as the vaccination programme advanced and COVID restrictions ease, the changes in behaviour, criminality and policing demands predicted in the Q4 report of last year had begun to materialise.  There had been a dramatic fall in ant-social behaviour calls; the unprecedented demand experienced during the previous 12 months attributed in most part to breaches of COVID regulations.  Domestic offending remains a concern and had impacted too on common assault figures.  Extortion and sexual offending continued on an upward trend, a significant proportion of which was perpetrated remotely via the internet or other modes of telecommunication, and was non-contact in nature.   A significant proportion of sexual offending was also non-recent in nature, more reflective of victims’ willingness to come forward, rather than a current change in offending. Housebreakings had also risen in number, a symptom of more people spending more time away from their homes.  Scottish Borders did appear out of kilter with other areas of the country and detection rate and wider performance measures compared very favourably.  As previously discussed, it would be of limited value to use 2020 performance    figures as a benchmark and 5 year average figures had been included in order to provide context.  While the recent events had been significantly challenging, the most challenging may still lie ahead. While absence through either illness or self-isolation had impacted on resources, there had been benefit from a vast reduction in court business, planned events and the night-time economy had ceased, and all but essential training had been suspended.  With effect from September there would be a doubling in court hearings, with simultaneous sittings at both Jedburgh and Selkirk, resulting in doubling of witness citations.  A number of events were due to recommence in the coming weeks and months; Kelso ram sales, Tour of the Borders, Tour of Britain etc.  

Training would recommence, and a dedicated resource in the Scottish Borders had been secured to deliver standard and emergency response driving courses. A qualification which was essential given the vast areas and distances covered and would greatly improve operational effectiveness.  The re-emergence of the night-time economy would  cause demand profiles to change, and  the SB-CAT shift patterns had recently altered to better service peak demands for anti-social behaviour and violence.

The United Nations Climate Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, arguably the largest and most significant policing event in Police Scotland’s history would be held between 1 November and 12 November 2021. The demands and expectations would be immense and officers from across the entire United Kingdom and beyond would be drafted in to assist. The Scottish Borders would provide officers and specialist resource, and plans were well advanced in terms of maintaining service provision in the Borders. 

To provide longer term resilience and improve staff retention, a number of targeted recruitment events had taken place within the Scottish Borders, encouraging people who already live here to pursue a career in policing. These exercises were beginning to yield dividends and a higher number of probationers than normally expected were coming through. The Scottish Borders had also been recognised alongside the likes of the Highlands and Islands, Argyle and Bute as an area where recruitment was a challenge.  Work was ongoing to market a policing career in the Scottish Borders as a lifestyle choice in an effort to attract experienced officers from other parts of the country to settle in the Borders.

DECISION

NOTED the report.