Agenda item

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

Inspectors Carol Wood and John Scott were present at the meeting to update the Cheviot Area Forum on performance, activities and issues across the Ward for the period up to 29 January 2016.  The Ward Plan Priorities for Kelso and District had been reviewed and amended and were highlighted as Dishonesty, Road Safety, Antisocial Behaviour and Drug Dealing and Misuse of Drugs.    The Ward Plan Priorities for Jedburgh and District had also been amended and were highlighted as Drug Dealing and Misuse, Road Safety, Anti-Social Behaviour and Rural Crime.  In relation to the planned priorities for Kelso and District it was reported that under Drugs Dealing and Misuse of Drugs Police Scotland continued to investigate drugs offences and where appropriate use stop and search powers.  Two people had been reported for drugs offences in the past two months and it was highlighted that help from the public was crucial to detect offences and where people had suspicions.  In terms of Antisocial Behaviour, the casing of the Community defibrillator situated in Woodmarket, Kelso had been damaged on 1 January 2016 and positive lines of enquiry had been ongoing in relation to this and the police would like to speak to anyone who had information with regards to the crime.  In terms of Thefts/Crimes of Dishonesty, during December 2015 it was reported that 2 males were detected shoplifting in Kelso, one received a 4 month custodial sentence and the other was remanded in custody.  A van was broken into in the Main Street, Heiton and a large quantity of tools stolen.  A man from Edinburgh was detected for the crime and reported to the Procurator Fiscal.  This crime was part of a much wider series where tools were being stolen from vans and tradesmen were recommended not to keep tools in their vans where possible.  It was further reported that as part of Operation snowflake a number of traffic initiatives took place across the area.  There had been no detections of drink driving offences and it would appear that the Do Not Drink and Drive message was widely adhered to.  The focus in the coming months would be on young drivers and speeding in built up areas within the Kelso area.  Nine parking tickets and eight warnings were given in Kelso in December and seven parking tickets were issued in January.  In response to a question raised about plans for dealing with Biker and Scooter rallies held in Springwood Park, Kelso Inspector Scott advised that resources would be increased, but generally those attending the rallies were well behaved.  A link to the Recorded Police Warning system was requested and concerns were raised in relation to residents within Orchard Park ignoring the yellow lines and the continuing parking problem within Kelso town centre. 

  5.1     In terms of Jedburgh and District, it was reported that officers on patrol had been suspicious of a vehicle parked near to the shell petrol station in Jedburgh and as a result of a search of the vehicle the Officers recovered a large quantity of controlled substances, which were estimated to have a value of approx. £54,000, although the street value would be higher.  A 45 year old male and a 33 year old female were detained and subsequently charged with possession and supplying controlled substances offences.  Following their appearance at court they were released on bail.  A total of five road checks were recorded for the ward area during the reporting period which resulted in one driver being issued with a fixed penalty ticket for speeding.  Following an incident in Ancrum, a 28 year old male was charged with taking and driving away a vehicle without the owner’s permission and other road traffic offences, including driving whilst under the influence of drugs.  An 86 year old male was charged with careless driving following an accident on the A68 south of Jedburgh and other drivers in the Jedburgh and St Boswells areas had been charged with a variety of document offices.  Eight parking tickets and five warnings were given in Jedburgh during December and there was an emphasis on parking enforcement during December as part of operation snowflake.  In terms of anti-social behaviour, there were no fixed penalty tickets issued over the reporting period and the police continued to engage with those responsible for any youth antisocial behaviour in the ward area.  Although there had been a few minor rural crimes over the last few months there was nothing of major concern.  Officers were out and about at farms with the Select DNA information packs and using the opportunity to provide security advice to those living in rural areas.   

5.2       There were increased foot patrols and road checks during the festive period and overall there were the same levels of violence or drunken disorder associated with the time of year.  On the whole revellers were sensible and enjoyed the festive celebrations.  The weather continued to cause issues for the local community.  Weather in Jedburgh had caused chaos, with some properties within the town being flooded.  Local Officers had been heavily involved in assisting the community alongside other partners in dealing with flooding problems and would continue to respond to weather warnings.  It was reported that the Recorded Police Warning Scheme had been introduced in January 2016 which allowed officers to use their discretion when dealing with minor crimes and it replaced the formal Adult Warning system.  The scheme which had been extended to include 16 and 17 year olds provided frontline officers with the ability to address low level crime with an on the spot disposal.  Disposal options were highlighted as verbal warning, a recorded Police Warning, a Fixed Penalty Notice and ultimately officers may still submit a formal standard Prosecution Report to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, depending on the nature and circumstances of each incident or crime.  Warnings would provide a consistent, swifter, more effective and proportionate way of dealing with low-level offences.  Inspectors Scott and Wood answered questions in relation to the presence of the unmarked police patrol continuing within Jedburgh, the Select DNA marking of property and off street parking issues in Meadow Street, Jedburgh.

DECISION

(a)  NOTED the report.

(b)  AGREED that the link for the Recorded Police Warning system be circulated to all members of the Cheviot Area Forum.