Issue - meetings

The group considered a verbal update by Sergeant Mark Wilson, who updated the group in relation to the trends in relation to common assaults, which were on a downward trend.  He advised that the detection rate for this was one of the highest in Scotland at 82%.  He further advised of the slight increase in serious assaults, with the figure rising from 1 to 3 in the last year.  He advised that the additional 2 were as a result of serious crimes that had taken place in the Campbeltown area, and to date remained unsolved.  He outlined the Festive Safety Campaign and advised that they had been working closely with Trading Standards with a view to protecting vulnerable persons from scams.  Sergeant Wilson advised that there was also a drug campaign which was due to be advertised in the local press and media. 

Sergeant Wilson updated the group in relation to a number of staffing changes within the area.  He advised that Inspector Harper had finished yesterday with Mack Stephen taking over temporarily.  Sergeant Wilson advised that he was moving on in January to the Dunoon area and then to Glasgow to join the Crime Camp.    

The Chair thanked Sergeant Wilson for the information provided, and wished him luck in his future career. 

The group considered a verbal update by Chief Inspector Marlene Baillie, who advised of the recent staffing changes within the area.  She confirmed the appointment of Chief Inspector Helen Swann, who was due to take over from Superintendent Barry McEwan on 14 September 2014.  She further advised of local postings in Carradale, Islay, Tarbert and Campbeltown.  

Chief Inspector Baillie updated the group in relation to other issues such as domestic violence and house breaking, which she confirmed had high detection rates and a slight decrease in terms of comparisons between this year and last.  She spoke in regards to road accidents, which she confirmed were on a par with last year, but advised that there was an enforcement, education and engineering strategy ongoing.  

The Chair thanked Chief Inspector Baillie for the information provided.  

Chief Inspector Marlene Baillie updated the group on crime priorities for the MAKI area.  She outlined these across the various local areas:-

Mid Argyll have identified 4 priorities that the Community would like to see tackled by Police Scotland - 1. Drug Use/Drug Dealing  2. Road Safety/Road Crime 3. Violence/Anti social behaviour and 4. Dishonesty.

South Kintyre have identified 1. Drug Use/Drug Dealing 2. Road Safety/Road Crime 3. Vehicle Parking and 4. Violence/Anti social Behaviour.

 Kintyre and the Islands have identified 1. Road Safety/Road Crime 2. Vehicle Parking 3. Drug use/Drug Dealing and 4. Violence/Anti social behaviour

She continued that the ward plans should be published in April this year and would include actions that Police Scotland would be undertaking to address the issues identified.

Chief Inspector Baillie verified that the Span of Command would be implemented on

1 April 2014 and would merge OLI and MAKI Command.  She would be the Area Commander responsible for operating policies in both these areas

Discussion continued around various issues which included the recent spate of burglaries in the MAKI area and the accessing of police services at the Bowmore  Service point.  Chief Inspector Baillie outlined that details were being finalised in terms of the practical implementation of working in partnership with the local authority in providing this Public Counter service to the public.  

The Chair thanked Chief Inspector Bailie for her informative update.

Decision

The group noted the update.

The group heard an update by Chief Inspector Marlene Baillie in regards proposed structural changes within Police Scotland and the potential impact of front office closures on local communities. She detailed the immediate changes on Islay.

Charles Reppke, the Head of Governance and Law confirmed that discussions were ongoing with the Customer Services Manager to ensure that there would be adequate resources in place for ongoing service delivery on Islay.

Councillor Currie voiced his concerns in regards pressure being placed on existing staff to encompass these extra responsibilities.  Mr Reppke replied this issue was still being scoped out and he would ask the Customer Services Manager to provide detail on the final service provision  agreed  to Ward 2 Members when completed.

Chief Inspector Baillie reiterated the need to ensure that a balance was in place to address service delivery with existing resources.  Councillor Horn enquired on how lost property would be addressed and Chief Inspector Baillie advised that this detail was being given consideration.

Chief Inspector Baillie continued that Chief Superintendent Barry McEwan was keen to streamline existing command structures and it was envisaged that the existing model in West Dunbartonshire would be replicated in Argyll and Bute.  If this was implemented, then it would result in a merger between Oban, Lorn and the Isles and MAKI Area,command structures.  This would mean a command structure resulting in 1 Area Commander and 2 local Area Inspectors.  However, these were still proposals and there was still opportunity for feedback and further review.  She encouraged partners to make  comment on the proposed model and to ensure that comments were received by January 2014.

The group gave further consideration to potential difficulties that local police officers could encounter travelling between the geographical distant locations within their allotted area.  This could impact onto both  statistics and  local community issues.

Decision

The group agreed that there remained  considerable concerns in respect of  the new proposals and agreed that individual organisations should write to Chief Superintendent Barry McEwan detailing these.

The group heard an update from Inspector Tom Harper, Police Scotland.  He advised that the August crime figures for the area were down.  However, there had been an increase in instances of domestic violence. 

Discussion followed in regards  ‘signposting’ the reports of domestic violence to other agencies and Inspector Harper informed the group that these were vigorously followed up.

The Chair thanked Inspector Harper for his informative update.

Chief Inspector Baillie reported that the transition to a national force had been undertaken without duress and business had continued as usual.

She reported on a decline in crime trends and informed the group of the appointment of a Community Police officer in Tarbert.

Councillor Semple enquired on the progress in regards speed limits.  Chief Inspector Baillie reported that work was currently being undertaken on this issue.