Issue - meetings

Update by Police Scotland

The Group considered an update from Inspector Collins, Police Scotland, which provided information around different methods of fraud and fraud prevention. Inspector Collins encouraged members of the Group to get in touch if they were aware of anyone who may benefit from education or training around fraud prevention, noting that work was ongoing with financial institutions, Alzheimer’s Scotland, and charity groups to ensure that people were well equipped to deal with attempted fraud. James Sullivan offered the support of SFRS in disseminating any fraud prevention literature to vulnerable people during home fire safety visits.

The update also included information around recent vehicle thefts in the local area and Inspector Collins confirmed that apprehensions were made in connection with the enquiry. He noted that he would be in touch with Lucy Sumsion around security advice which could be provided to farmers and urged people to keep their doors and vehicles locked in the interim. Councillor Armour also offered his support in relation to these concerns as a local Member. Inspector Collins noted that there were hopes that Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras could be placed on the route in future, however this was in the early stages of consideration and would be part of a larger piece of partnership working.

Inspector Collins also spoke to the implementation of a Mobile Police Office schedule and requested that members of the Group get in touch if they had any specific dates, times or events that they would like the Mobile Police Office to be in attendance for.

Inspector Collins provided an update on local police involvement in the COP26 Policing operation, noting that many local officers were supporting this but he was confident that the officers remaining were of an adequate number to provide the required level of service.

Inspector Collins also outlined plans to re-introduce a PubWatch type scheme and highlight information around the impacts of drink and drug driving in advance of the festive period to ensure everyone’s safety.

Decision

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the information provided.

(Reference: Report by Inspector Paul Collins, Police Scotland, submitted)