Scottish Borders Council

Agenda item

Police report

Minutes:

PC Lackenby explained that his report included statistics for the period from 1 April to 31 May 2016 which had been prepared for the previous meeting of the Forum that had been cancelled; the second reporting period being from 1 June to 30 September 2016. As referred to in paragraph 3 above, PC Lackenby confirmed that, on 23 March 2016, the new Police IT system Inn Keeper, for both Liquor and Civic Licensing, went live.  The system would provide a powerful database which would allow licensing officers to access information no matter where they were based.  Graphs within the report summarised the number and type of offences that had taken place on licensed premises over the two time periods.  There continued to be a high number of thefts involving alcohol.  Violence also gave cause for concern.  The graph for the period 1 June to 30 September 2016 showed an increase in violence both within and in the vicinity of licensed premises.  This had been recognised as a problem that required additional resources and there were ongoing discussions on how best to tackle this.  Police had been involved in a number of large events which had not caused any concerns, including Melrose 7s, Common Ridings and Riverside Rock, Jedburgh.  Police and Licensing Standards Officers had given a presentation to staff and volunteers at the new Burnfoot Hub, Hawick, to provide guidance of event licensing.  PC Lackenby added that they would like to visit more licensed premises to provide the ‘Who Are You’ training.  With regard to the ‘Protecting Children From Harm’ role, there had been two test purchasing operations since January.  The results were very disappointing with three off-sale premises failing in one evening.  All three were retested and passed.  Police reports were submitted to the Procurator Fiscal for all three failures.  A recent application for an occasional licence for a children’s entertainment show in Galashiels saw objections being submitted from the Licensing Standards Officer, Health and the Police.  At the subsequent Licensing Board hearing the Board agreed with the concerns raised and refused to grant the license.  With reference to paragraph 5 of the Minute of 22 March 2016, the report provided statistics from Inn Keeper regarding objections to license applications made by Police.  This showed that, in the period 1 April to 31 May 2016, there had been 18 variation applications processed.  A representation on one had been submitted which resulted in the application being amended at the Board hearing.  A total of 273 occasional and extended hours applications had been processed but no objections or representations had been submitted.  For the period 1 June to 30 September 2016, Police had processed 31 variation applications and submitted an objection for one which had yet to be heard at the Board.  A total of 417 occasional and extended hours applications had been processed in that time period.  An objection for one was submitted, subsequently refused by the Board as referred to above and representations submitted for three which were subsequently withdrawn.  The Convener thanked PC Lackenby for the report.

 

DECISION

NOTED the report.

 

 

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