Issue - meetings

Inspector Julie McLeish updated the Forum on the future events which are happening in the town with the proposed strip the willow dance on 2^nd May, the Skerryvore Festival on 30^th May, and Tiree Music Festival in July.  She confirmed that she has been attending planning meetings for these events and will keep the forum updated in due course.  The Chair asked if Police Scotland are planning to go round the houses at Mossfield to do a survey and advise them of what they can expect for the festival on 30^th May.  Inspector McLeish confirmed that there is another planning meeting next week for this event and a site visit and that this would be included in their events plan.

Inspector McLeish gave an update on the recorded crime figures from 1^st February to 23^rd February 2015.  She advised that there have been a number of drug detections an house searches which has been a major issue in Oban but confirmed that ‘Shop a Dealer’ scheme has been an excellent help for police intelligence.

She spoke about road policing which is a concern for people in the area and confirmed that there has been one drunk driver detected.

Inspector McLeish advised that there has been an increase in lower level crimes such as vandalism and cars being stolen.  She advised that there has been a recent issue in Mull with drivers leaving their cars open.

She updated the Forum on the rural based issues and confirmed that thefts have been a major problem with sheds being broken into and quad bikes etc stolen.

She advised that the crime prevention surveys are always available and an officer will be more than happy to conduct a house survey whenever this is requested.

Inspector McLeish confirmed that she is moving post to the Lochgilphead Office on 20^th March and Sergeant Mark Stephen would be filling her post in Oban.  The Chair wished Inspector McLeish all the best in her new post and thanked her for all her hard work in the Oban, Lorn and the Isles area and for their good working relationship.

The Chair gave an update to the Forum on behalf of Inspector McLeish.  He advised that there have been no burning issues at the moment and that Police Scotland are currently moving on to covering winter events with the various parades etc.  He advised that the Hogmanay in Oban event is still to be finalised and that Inspector McLeish is currently seeking a suitable meeting date with the organisers and other agencies to tie up the loose ends.

He confirmed that the safer roads policing continues with emphasis on education and enforcement backed up by Police Scotland’s Road Policing department and the Trunk Roads Policing Group at Fort William.

He updated the Forum on the work which has been undertaken around possible local road diversion routes following on from the A85 closure during the last serious accident but advised that the roads themselves have been confirmed as not being suitable for the volume of traffic they would anticipated to accommodate as the A85 diversion and it seems the recognised diversion route will remain A816/A819 as before.

The Chair advised that the  festive season will be promoted with the usual drink driving campaigns and late night alcohol safety information is being handed out.

Chief Inspector Baillie gave an update on the festive season campaign which is ongoing for the month of December.  She advised that this will cover domestic abuse, licensed premises and shop a dealer which is aimed to tackle local drug dealers all over Argyll and Bute.

She updated the Forum on the recent accident which took place over the last couple of weeks where the road was closed for 3 to 4 hours.  She advised the local response from Transport Scotland, local authority and Police Scotland was very good and the school children got home safely via train.

Inspector Julie McLeish from Police Scotland updated the Forum on the Designated Drivers Scheme which was piloted in Mull earlier this year which is supported by some licensed premises around Oban since July where they display a sticker on their premises which entitles the designated driver to free soft drinks. 

She advised that their Safer Communities department are looking to roll out Rural Watch to more remote areas which brings communities together to discuss issues and share good practice around safety which is supported by Police Scotland.

She reported on the road policing works which are continuing through Argyll and Bute where they are looking into diversion routes that can be used when accidents occur on A85 between Connel and Oban.  She advised that the feasibility study has shown that it is not as simple as first thought due to types of roads involved being unsuitable for the large volume of traffic but will be progressed meantime and discussed at the Road Safety meeting in September.

Inspector McLeish advised that anti-social behaviour stats seem to be decreasing, particularly in relation to reports of young persons and street drinking which is positive.  She suggested this may be the change in bye law for street drinking which was extended last year.  She advised that the Anti-Social Behaviour Forum has been really effective an this looks closely at specific addresses or hotspots. 

She updated the Forum on the upcoming events which are happening in the area with Argyllshire Games taking place on Thursday 28^th August and Mull Rally in October.

She advised that Police Scotland are still undertaking the Summer Campaign targeting road offending, safety and speeding with road checks and enforcement taking place.  She reported that in the month of August alone, there were 27 fixed penalty notices issued for drivers not wearing a seatbelt incurring a penalty of £100 but more importantly causing significant safety issues.

She gave an update on the personnel changes within Police Scotland and advised that the Road Policing department is now well established with 3 officers based in Oban and a new Divisional Commander will be starting the force in September which will bring in new changes.

 David Wilkinson updated the Forum on the most recent figures for Police Scotland and advised that there had been 122 crime offences, 44 of which remain undetected. He advised that Police Scotland had attended a house fire along with Scottish Fire and Rescue on 16 July. He advised that the High Street had to be shut for forty five minutes however there was no injuries. David Wilkinson advised that there had been a serious crash in Port Bannatyne involving a car and a cyclist. He advised that the cyclist was in a stable but serious condition. He reported that Police Scotland were in attendance at the plane crash at the weekend and reported that the Air Accident Investigation was still ongoing. David Wilkinson advised that they had carried out several drug searches throughout the last quarter, including ones on the ferries and in licensed premises on the island. He advised that Police Scotland had successfully policed the Bute Triathlon and the Agricultural Show, and there had been no incidents at either of these events. He advised that they were policing the Highland Games next Saturday and were hoping for good weather for the local event. He advised that resources from the Area were used to support the Commonwealth Games and this did not lead to any shortages in the area.

Paul Robertson advised that he was on duty when the plane crash happened on the island, and advised that there had been outstanding efforts from all of the joint local agencies. He advised that the Royal Navy Team and the NHS team who both arrived by helicopter, provided a world class service. He reported that before they arrived all of the local agencies and members of the public responded admirably and the service they provided in dealing with the tragedy was outstanding. He advised that the work that the two local doctors carried out whilst waiting for the air assistance was outstanding. He advised that although this was a tragic incident he was highly impressed by the service provided by all of the local agencies.

Councillor Len Scoullar advised that he is very pleased to hear the positive views of Paul Robertson after such a horrible tragedy.

Insp. Julie McLeish highlighted that the revised command structure was now in place; that Ch. Insp. Marlene Bailey had officially taken command, and that matters were progressing very well. Julie noted that she was pleased to report that Oban would have a boost in police numbers on the streets, with 3 new probationers taking up positions in the area, as well as an officer undertaking a summer secondment.

Julie noted the unfortunate light aircraft crash on Tiree last weekend, but was happy to report that none of the three occupants of the plane had sustained serious injuries.

She also noted that Operation Myriad continued to run, but that this was largely business as usual for her officers.  The crimes receiving enhanced scrutiny include the use, sale and supply of controlled drugs and abuse of other substances, as well as speeding and other traffic offences .Julie noted that while there had been nine road fatalities last year, this year there had so far been none.

Julie noted that the Commonwealth games in July will present a real challenge for police but that her officers are confident and looking forward to it.

David Wilkinson from Police Scotland updated the Forum on the most recent figures for this financial quarter.  He advised that there have been 109 crime offences, 42 of which remain undetected.  There have been a number of drug offences including “intent to supply”, 5 search warrants for controlled substances and no serious assaults since the last meeting.

He reported to the Forum on the fatality that happened on the island on 6^th April and advised there were no other vehicles involved.

David informed the Forum on the project PC Smith carried out back in March where they gave a presentation called ‘who are you’ giving an invitation to all the licence holders in the area.  The purpose of the project was to prevent violence in pubs.  David advised that very positive feedback has been received on this project.

He also advised that the police will be conducting Operation Myriad in May which a will be a month of activities specifically to targeting alcohol, Anti-Social Behaviour, Drug, and  Traffic Offences etc.,  and that an action plan is currently being drawn up to take this forward.

He updated the Forum on the ‘I am me’ project which will be carried out in schools by Trish Collins in August to help children, particularly those vulnerable either because of Physical disability of those who may be more vulnerable because of the effects of Mental health issues,   to create safe places and groups to raise awareness and to provide people to talk to.