This report covers progress made by our local policing unit in dealing with
the priorities for our Community Council area during May 2020.
COVID 19 – UPDATE
In relation to the COVID 19 restrictions Police Scotland follow an ENGAGE,
EXPLAIN, ENCOURAGE and ENFORCE approach. What this means practically is
that when breaches are reported to us we will follow each step in order to
resolve the breach with any enforcement action being the last resort. We
continue to receive calls in relation to this and adopt the above approach.
Common misunderstandings – Businesses / Venues breaching the
Regulations. This is a matter for Local Authorities via their Trading
Standards Officers to enforce. These officers can be supported by the
Health & Safety Executive and/or Police Scotland if required.
Businesses/Venues are responsible for appropriate measures being in place to
ensure appropriate hygiene / social distancing within their premises for staff
/ customers. Any breaches should be raised with the business or reported
to Local Authority to progress.
More details can be found on the following Scottish Government Website which
lays out what is permitted with this new phase introduced as of 29 May 2020.
Community Policing Priorities
Antisocial behaviour, Violence and Disorder:
Police received a couple of calls from a resident regards doorbells being
tried in the Airyhall area during the small hours (2nd & 29th May), no
persons seen or calls from any other residents, but a reminder for people to
be vigilant and report any suspicious activity at time it occurs.
Police are investigating a smashed window to a communal door in the Craigielea
area. This appears isolated to the immediate area and Police are
following a positive line of enquiry.
Officers were also called regarding an industrial bin being set on fire next
to the Oor Wullie, Chip shop. Scottish Fire and Rescue Services were
contacted to attend,and advised there was nothing to suggest a wilful or
criminal act. The cause was possibly someone carelessly flicking a
cigarette not properly extinguished. It is important that any calls
involving a fire, that SFRS are contacted immediately as the correct resource,
they will report to Police if they have suspicions regards criminality and any
investigation will thereafter be progressed.
Acquisitive Crime:
Police are investigating reports of an Attempted Theft in the Mannofield area
on the 12th May where a person tried to force entry to a letterbox.
Enquiries are ongoing.
I would encourage all members of the public to be vigilant and report any
suspicious activity to Police on 101 or 999 if an emergency, remembering to
provide as much detail/descriptions of persons as possible.
Road Safety & Road Crime:
In the Braeside area some fencing was damaged as a result of dangerous
driving, two people were traced and charged with a number of road traffic
offences.
We continue to work with partners in response to specific complaints in terms
of road traffic offences and to make use of antisocial behaviour
legislation. Residents in the areas affected by antisocial driving are
encouraged to contact Police on 101 at the time to report incidents in order
for us to take positive action.
Community Engagement & Reassurance
Shut Out Scammers
Across the UK we are beginning to see evidence that fraudsters are
increasingly targeting the public and organisations with emails, texts,
telephone calls and WhatsApp messages offering advice and treatment for the
coronavirus.
They are setting up fake websites selling products and offering ‘cures’ or
testing kits. Scammers have also been setting up bogus websites asking for
donations for victims or promoting awareness and prevention tips. Cold callers
have been contacting organisations suggesting they must have specific measures
in place by a certain deadline.
To help members of the public protect themselves from becoming a victim of
fraud we advise:
- Be vigilant and on guard if someone turns up unexpectedly
-
Identity cards can be faked – phone the company to verify their identity
-
Never let people try to persuade you to let them into your home even if
they are asking for or offering help – they may not be genuine. If someone
is persistent, ask them to call at another time and arrange for a friend
or family member to be with you
- Don’t feel embarrassed - genuine callers expect you to be careful
-
Never provide any personal data such as your full name, address and date
of birth – scammers can use this information to steal your identity
- Don’t keep large amounts of money in your home
- If in doubt, don’t answer the door.
-
Never feel pressured into making a decision on the spot. Any legitimate
trader/helper will be happy to return at a later date
- Never be afraid to say ‘No thank you’ and close the door
-
Be sceptical if you receive an email, text or WhatsApp message about the
Coronavirus, and never click on any attachments or links
-
Don’t allow yourself to be pressured into donating money, and never make
donations by cash or gift card, or send money through transfer agents such
as Western Union or Moneygram
-
Remember, it’s your home. There’s no reason why anyone should ever enter
your home against your wishes
Who can help me?
- To report a crime call 101 or in an emergency 999.
-
If you have concerns about a purchase that you have made, contact Advice
Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000. – www.advice.scot
-
Further information on dealing with scams and fraud is available from our
partner sites, who can offer further information, support and
advice:
-
For free message alerts from key information providers regarding incidents
and crime prevention in your area, go to Neighbourhood Watch
Scotland
-
Get to know some of the most common fraud techniques in The Little Book of
Big Scams
-
Want advice on your consumer rights? Contact Advice Direct Scotland on
0808 164 6000
-
Are you a victim or witness to a crime looking for free, confidential
support? Call Victim Support Scotland on 0800 160 1985
- To report a matter to Trading Standards call 0808 164 6000
- Report scammers and fraudsters ANONYMOUSLY at Crimestoppers
-
Care and Repair Scotland offers help and advice on assisting the aged and
disabled to feel safe and secure in their homes
-
For safety advice and to request a free fire safety visit, Scottish Fire
and Rescue Service
-
The Telephone Preference Service can help cut out unwanted sales, spam and
scam phone calls
Follow us on Twitter @NorthEPolice #WestEndCPT
Also available are the three following contact email addresses for the West
End:
The primary purpose of these e-mail addresses is for residents to report
non-criminal queries, such as passing attentions, information, advice and
non-criminal quality of life issues, such as youth annoyance. These e-mail
addresses are not for reporting crimes or offences. The process for reporting
any crimes or offences is to call 101, where our Service Centre will log the
call on our Command and Control system and allocate the incident to our area.
Using this process negates the possibility of the report being missed and also
ensures that the caller’s details, addresses and telephone numbers are noted
for our awareness and response.
Should you have any concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to discuss
these with the Officer attending your Community Council Meeting or by emailing
the above e-mail addresses or our Service Centre. It is not necessary to
wait until the meeting and your local CPT Inspector, PI Sim welcomes your
contact.
Contact Us
Please also remember you can communicate with us using any of the following:
🕾 101 – Non emergency
🖱 Email - *****CPT@Scotland.pnn.police.uk
🖱 Facebook – www.facebook.com/NorthEastPoliceDivision
🖱 Web – www.scotland.police.uk
🕾 999 – Emergency
🕾 0800 555 111 - Crimestoppers
Community Engagement & Reassurance
“Compliance has been very high in Scotland and I thank the public for their overwhelming co-operation and commitment.” “Our officers and staff are in community’s right across Scotland 24 hours a day, at times putting themselves in harm’s way and I pay tribute to them and thank them for that. Social distancing, staying at home, are the key interventions to curtail the spread of coronavirus.”
Given the current isolation rules, we asked how residents were expected to obtain packs of food recycling bags and whether or not the council was giving any thought to, temporarily, re-instating the option of getting replacement bags posted out on request? 
Charity clothing banks at recycling points are all closed because the collectors have been advised this is not critical work. Signs are being attached to the bank informing the public that they are closed. In the meantime, residents are asked to store items safely.
Road Safety & Road Crime:
A reduction in numerous types of crime were recorded during the last Quarter 3 period compared to the previous year (April through to December end), including a decrease in crimes of dishonesty as a result of targeted proactivity being carried out across North East Police Division every day. In particular, there has been a further reduction in house-breakings (18% decrease from 649 to 532) and motor vehicle crime (down 16% from 753 to 628).
Group 1 crimes (non-sexual crimes of violence) have increased, however 264 of these crimes were recorded under the new Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018 which was not accounted for last year. This new law is making a significant difference, with many victims of domestic abuse who may not have been identified before now gaining access to the support they need. Nationally there have been
Follow us on Twitter @NorthEPolice #WestEndCPT
Aberdeen City Council have today launched an Emergency Helpline to be available throughout the Coronavirus crisis.
● all non-essential retail stores - this will include clothing and electronics stores; hair, beauty and nail salons; and outdoor and indoor markets, excluding food markets.
These measures will reduce our day to day contact with other people. They are a vital part of our efforts to reduce the rate of transmission of coronavirus. Every citizen is instructed to comply with these new measures. The Government will therefore be ensuring the police and other relevant authorities have the powers to enforce them, including through fines and dispersing gatherings where people do not comply. They will initially last for the three weeks from 23 March, at which point the Government will look at them again and relax them if the evidence shows this is possible.
The advice is that people should:
Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways.
Use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service if:
This month I’d like to highlight some basic steps you can take to keep yourself safe from identity theft and scams.
+ Memorise your PIN, never write it down and shield the keypad when entering it
