Scottish Borders Council

Agenda item

Police Scotland.

Update by Inspector Bennett.

Minutes:

In regard to Tweeddale East and Tweeddale West, Sergeant Marker advised that the focus of Police Scotland was to reduce crime and disorder, to increase public reassurance within the community and to keep people safe.  Police Scotland would continue to work closely with their partners and find effective long-term solutions to the issues raised.  After talking to local residents in Tweeddale, Police Officers noted their greatest concerns were dishonesty, inconsiderate driver behaviour, bogus workers and callers, and drug dealing and misuse.  In regard to dishonesty, Police Scotland had recently launched a series of information documents to keep our rural communities safe.  The rural communities of Scotland were safe places in which to live and work. However, the nature of the environment and way of life meant there were some crime prevention tips particularly relevant to rural life which were worth bearing in mind.    Much of the crime prevention advice outlined in other areas of ‘Keep Safe’ was equally relevant to urban or rural areas, but there were issues unique to rural communities such as:  protecting livestock, securing farm machinery, theft from fuel tanks, securing tools and horse tack.  The information could be accessed at the following link and was an excellent guide to farmers and the wider community who lived in rural areas. http://www.scotland.police.uk/keep-safe/home-and-personal-property/rural-crime.    Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and NFU Scotland would be holding a Farm Fire Safety and Crime Prevention Event on 9 June from 1.00 p.m. until 3.30 p.m. at Haswellsykes Farm, Peebles.  The event would include demonstrations of security systems, crime prevention equipment and fire safety techniques.   Since 2 March 2016, there had been three incidents in the Tweeddale area involving bogus callers.  These incidents occurred on 23 March in Clovenfords and Peebles and it was believed they involved the same suspect who was offering power tools for sale.   A younger drivers event had taken place on 22 May 2016 at Charterhall, Duns.   This was run by the Institute of Advanced Motorists in partnership with Volvo, Suzuki, Fiat, and other manufacturers of cars. The event was designed to take kids over 14, but under 17 who would not normally be able to drive cars and give them the understanding and skills to drive cars. Hopefully by educating them early, a long-term sustainable driver education and casualty reduction programme would be in place in the Borders.   A number of Police Officers volunteered their time to assist on the day.   From 2 March to 23 May 2016, 45 parking tickets had been issued, of which 3 were cancelled, two drivers were warned.   This year Police Scotland’s Public Consultation process was widening and becoming more flexible. The consultation process was moving online to a digital format and consultation would be open all year.  Everyone's views across Scotland would be taken on board at a national and local level.  The link for the survey was https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/8LMB9WX .   With effect from 1 July 2016, new legislation would come into effect for air weapons.  Any person who possessed, purchased, used or acquired an air weapon would be required to have a certificate to legally hold them.  Because this was  a new process, the public had  been given time to achieve the certification and no one would  commit an offence of possessing an air weapon without the relevant authority or certification up until 1 January 2017.  All documentation had to be in order by that date.   Police Scotland recognised that a number of these types of weapons would be lying about homes and were no longer used or required.  As a result an ‘amnesty’ would be held and air guns could be surrendered at Galashiels Police Station between 8.00 a.m. and 10.00 p.m. from Monday 23May until 12 June 2016.       Further information on the legislation could be found on the Police Scotland website www.scotland.police.uk.

Some concern was expressed about Community Police Officers being unable to attend Community Council meetings.  Inspector Marker referred to the increase in the workload of Police Community Officers and said that efforts were made at all times for Police Officers to attend Community Council meetings and for update reports to be sent to Community Councils.  He further advised Community Councillors could liaise at any time with Police Officers if there were any matters of concern.

 

DECISION

NOTED.

 

 

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