Police Report - November 2020

This is the latest report from our Local Community Policing Unit covering activities during November 2020.

COVID 19 – UPDATE

Details of what can and cannot be done in the Scottish Government 5-level system to help tackle the spread of the virus can be found via the following link.

Aberdeen City will remains in Level 2 as of 25/11/2020.

https://www.gov.scot/binaries/content/documents/govscot/publications/strategy-plan/2020/10/covid-19-scotlands-strategic-framework/documents/annex-1-protection-levels-framework/annex-1-protection-levels-framework/govscot%3Adocument/annex-1-protection-levels-framework.pdf

Remember FACTS to help protect yourselves and others:
Face coverings
Avoid crowded spaces
Clean your hands regularly
Two metre distance
Self-isolate and book a test if you have symptoms

Community Policing Priorities

Antisocial behaviour, Violence and Disorder:

Over the month there have been a few instances of anti-social behaviour. One incident on the 1st Nov where youths rang a doorbell and ran away on Gordon Road. A week later Police received a report of youths having moved some cones on Great Western Road at its junction with Craigton Road. On both occasions the youths had departed prior to Police arrival and no identities were established.

Officers continue to patrol area’s known to have issues with anti-social behaviour where duties permit and will deal with any offences detected robustly. We continue to rely on members of the public reporting any criminality to Police so we can take action.

Acquisitive Crime:
About 2100hrs on Wednesday 18th November two males were seen acting suspiciously in the Airyhall Drive area. Both are described as white males with dark hair, one wearing a camouflage jacket and the other all in black and thinner build. Incident 3589 of the 18th refers. No criminality has been  established but a timely reminder to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to Police.

About 1430 hours on Tuesday 24th November the White Volkswagen Transporter Van registration mark RE18 PWK was stolen from the Seafield Road area and last seen travelling in the Countesswells Road direction. Suspect male is described as White, mid to late 20s, 5ft 10in, large build, dark short hair, dressed all in black. Enquiries are ongoing in relation to this and anyone with information or dash cam

footage is asked to call 101 quoting incident 1696 of 24th November. 

We would encourage all members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to Police immediately on 101 or 999 if an emergency, remembering to provide as much detail/descriptions of persons as possible.

Road Safety & Road Crime:

Over the weekend of 14th and 15th November officers from the Community Policing Team (CPT) supported by our colleagues from Roads Policing carried out static road checks and spoke to motorists in relation to winter road safety across the CPT. During this period officers spoke to in excess of 70 motorists giving advice for the season ahead. Unfortunately nearly 27 motorists were spoken to in relation to their speed in residential areas including one who was captured travelling at 53mph in a 30mph limit and has been reported to the Procurator Fiscal.

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:

Darker Nights mean it is easier for thieves to target your property so follow our advice to keep your home safe after dark. 

Your Home - Most housebreakings are carried out by opportunist thieves – so take away the opportunity and keep your home and possessions safe.

Lock the Door - Obvious isn’t it? But some people don’t do it. Lock the door even if you’re only out for a short time. If you have window locks, lock those too. Get into the habit of locking the door when you are at home. This stops people coming in if you are in another part of the house or garden.

Keep Your Keys out of Sight - Don’t leave your keys on the inside of locks or just inside the door. If you have a spare key, don’t leave it under a mat, plant-pot or other easy to spot place at home. Never keep house keys and car keys on the same ring. Make it as hard as possible to break into your home or to steal your car.

Make Your House Look Occupied - Away from home? Use timers on lights and radios so that it seems like there’s someone at home. If you are going away on holiday, avoid announcing this publicly on social media.

Show People That Your Property Is Secure - Thieves are put off by visible security alarms and carefully directed security lighting. Just make sure they don’t disturb your neighbours by going off unnecessarily.

Valuables and Cash - Avoid keeping large amounts of cash in the house.

Keys - Cars fitted with immobilisers can’t be hotwired. This means that keys are needed to drive your car. Keep your keys safe. Don’t leave them in the lock of your front door, or on the kitchen counter. When you are out, keep them with you at all times. A key is used in 70% of car thefts. By keeping your keys safe, you’re reducing the risk of your car being stolen by more than two thirds.

Possessions - If possible, don’t leave belongings in your car. Take them with you if you can. If not, lock them in the boot out of sight.

Further Information - 
Neighbourhood Watch: www.neighbourhoodwatchscotland.co.uk
Police Scotland: www.scotland.police.uk

Follow us on Twitter @NorthEPolice #WestEndCPT 

Also available are the three following contact email addresses for the West End:

AiryhallBroomhillGarthdeeCPT@Scotland.pnn.police.uk

HazleheadAshleyQueensCrossCPT@Scotland.pnn.police.uk

TorryFerryhillCPT@scotland.pnn.police.uk

Contact Us

Please also remember you can communicate with us using any of the following:

  101 – Non emergency

  Email - AiryhallBroomhillGarthdeeCPT@Scotland.pnn.police.uk

  Facebook – www.facebook.com/NorthEastPoliceDivision

  Web – www.scotland.police.uk

  999 – Emergency

  0800 555 111 - Crimestoppers

Cycle Safety

Another few words of advice to help those of you who cycle during the winter nights stay safe:-

Ensure that you and your bike are visible to other road users by using a good set of front and rear lights (white at the front, red at the back). 

Wear clothes that help you be seen on your bike, such as bright and light reflective items.

Obey road signs and markings, particularly red lights. 

Do not cycle on the pavements, which may be slippery and can also endanger pedestrians.

Be mindful of the effects poor weather can have on other road users and be alert to possible dangers around about you - Cars can take twice as long to stop in wet weather and braking can be unpredictable in ice and snow. 

Just be careful out there.

Bicycle Security

The incidences of Bike theft across the city has been on the increase in recent times.  Bicycles are being targeted regularly by thieves. 

Whether you have just purchased your first bike or are a seasoned cyclist it is worth investing in a good quality cycle specific lock to secure your bike.

Thieves will routinely carry bolt croppers or even battery powered angle grinders and light weight, poor quality locks offer little resistance. As a rough guide consider spending around 10% of the value of your bike on a lock. If you have a £3k bike and a £10 lock are going to get targeted.

Always buy the best quality lock you can afford and look out for those that have been endorsed as ‘Sold Secure’ or ‘Secured by Design.’

It's not enough to simply lock your bicycle whenever it is left unattended. Modern bikes are light and can be carried away quickly. Whether a bicycle stand, lamp post or metal fence: a bike must be locked to something and whatever you choose, it must be at least as secure as the lock itself. Ideally, use two different types of lock - the more locks you fit, the more tools a thief will need to steal it.

The best place for your bike at night is a locked room, e.g. a cellar or garage, and it should always be secured with a bicycle lock; ideally combined with a ground anchor. If bicycles cannot be locked to something, for example in the hall or garage, simply lock several bikes together.

Photograph your bike and record all of your bike’s details and distinguishing features and keep these in a safe place. The serial number can be found on the bottom bracket. Consider using a bike registration scheme to mark your bicycle. Not only is this a deterrent to thieves but should you be unlucky enough to have your bicycle stolen it increases the chances of getting your bicycle back.

Why not consider registering your bicycle, for free, in your name - have a look at https://www.bikeregister.com/?gclid=CjwKCAiA17P9BRB2EiwAMvwNyFYe5mx6OaI-LQ2i1QH9Vmr3Qkp52Ejn35JFoBj2j8XckR_K2VBzTBoCk2YQAvD_BwE

Some useful guides to preventing bicycle theft - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ye4p6IGGQWw

How to lock your bike - a guide to urban bike security - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQfaFZ5OpOs

How to install a ground anchor- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DiLSzzPVyE

Tested - £11,000 of Bike Locks Destroyed - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxIbAFnmsIQ

Further guidance can be found at

https://www.scotland.police.uk/keep-safe/home-and-personal-property/keep-your-bicycle-secure

Or by contacting Police Scotland Crime Reduction Officers on NorthEastCrimeReduction@scotland.pnn.police.uk

Minutes of Meeting - 24 November 2020

The Community Council was held on Tuesday 24 November 2020 using video conferencing technology. The minutes of that meeting can be viewed or downloaded by clicking here or by accessing through the Document Archive on the right.

The next meeting of the Community Council will also be a virtual meeting, held on the Zoom application. It will be on Tuesday 26 January 2021 and will begin at 7pm prompt. 

Anyone wishing access to the meeting should email the Secretary who will advise on meeting ID codes and passwords.

As usual, we can still be contacted with queries or comments by sending an email to the Secretary - bandmcommcouncil@gmail.com

Speeding Enforcement - Craigton Road

The Community Council continually raise the issue of speeding in Craigton Road with both the Council and the Hazlehead and West End Community Policing Team.

On Friday 30 October, officers from the Comunity Policing Team carried out speed checks in Craigton Road.  

As a result several motorists were stopped, 3 were warned regarding minor offences, and 1 is to be reported to Procurator Fiscal for speeding.

Thank you for the attention, it does make a difference.

TSB Mannofield Branch Closure

The TSB have announced that their Mannofield Branch in Great Western Road is to close.  This announcement has been met with surprise and disappointment by customers of the bank.  There had been so many community concerns, the Community Council wrote to the bank asking for the decision to be reversed.

At the same time, one of our local MSPs, Liam Kerr, one of our councillors, Ian Yuill and the minister at Mannofield Church, Rev Keith Blackwood were also expressing their concerns on behalf of residents.

Liam organised and chaired a "virtual" meeting held on 2nd November with two representatives of the TSB to discuss the closure.

The banks position is that the branch IS closing on 23rd June 2021, it's just a matter of how. They are having only two branches in the city - Rosehill and St Nicholas. The commercial decision has been made based on customers moving to internet banking, footfall in the branch, costs etc.

Needless to say, the community members, pointed out that their decision took no account of the Bank's community presence and that a large percentage of local residents are in an older demographic. Getting to a TSB branch could now prove very difficult for many. 

They said that they had recognised this and their intended solution was that a member of the bank would be available at a locally one day a week.  The location of the meeting place has not yet been decided.  

The bank employee would be available to offer banking and financial advice and identify "suitable products" for customers. They could set up powers of attorney, help with wills etc. The only thing they would not do is handle cash. They would be able to give customers advice and assist them get into their internet bank accounts, showing them how to become self sufficient. 

When questioned about cash transactions...their only suggestion was that current customers could access or deposit cash at the nearest Post Office.

It was pointed out to them that the closest post office - Seafield - had very limited floor space, and only two assistants.  Liam asked if the Post Office had been consulted about this and whether they had the capacity to move beyond Post Office services. The banks reps said they had been consulted and identified no problems.

The bottom line is that the bank will not change its mind. The TSB is closing. 

The Banking Standards guidance insists the decision to close any branch is a commercial decision for the bank BUT, it lays out what steps they have to take to implement the closure and the Bank are following these guidelines. 

The meeting closed with the Bank reps undertaking to keep the community members informed about the process and role of the "peripetetic" banker. 

We will publish further details as they become available/clearer

Keep in Touch at Christmas

During these hard times of self, and enforced, isolation it has been difficult to keep in touch with the outside world. Not everyone has access to, or the understanding of, computer aided communication.

In this festive season, Braeside and Mannofield Community Council believe it is important to keep in touch with neighbours, friends and relatives.

We want to help those who live in our area who find themselves shielding, housebound, or experiencing financial difficulty or hardship, but who would like to send a few Christmas Cards. 

If you are finding it difficult to get out to get Christmas Cards, or maybe the budget doesn’t stretch to such “luxuries”, then we have a number of free packs of ten Christmas cards and stamps that we will deliver to you, so that you can drop people a line and keep in touch. 

The number of Card packs is, unfortunately, limited and they will be distributed on a first come, first served basis. They are also limited to one pack per household.

If you would like one of our card packs then ring the Community Council Secretary on 01224 318791 or drop us an email at bandmcommcouncil@gmail.com in the strictest confidence.

The offer of the card packs is only available up and to the 11th December 2020.