The following report has been received from our local Police Unit. Members of the Community Council believe that the information contained in this new format of report is wholly inadequate in the level of detail and have responded to request for views.
Feel free to leave a comment and let us know what you think.
"This report covers progress we have made in dealing with your priorities for the Braeside and Mannofield Community Council area during October. The report aims to highlight emerging issues in your area, and to provide crime prevention advice and guidance to Community Council members and the residents you represent. Our focus is to reduce crime and disorder, help create safer communities and respond effectively to local concerns.
Crime OverviewIn Braeside and Mannofield there were a total of 102 calls to Police relating to the areas covered by the Whinhill and West End Community Policing Teams, These calls, in addition to proactive work, resulted in 76 individual charges being recorded. The vast majority of calls received by Police are concern calls, missing persons, assisting members of the public and false calls with good intentions.
Any significant incident
Crime Type October
Drug Offences 0
Vandalism 0
Assaults
0
Thefts
5
Road Traffic Offences
11
Antisocial behaviour, Violence and DisorderThey have included an incident whereby unknown persons tried to force their way into a communal block by kicking at the door and youths acting in a threatening and abusive manner by shouting out at members of the community including threatening to expose their penis.
In response to these police have increased high visibility mobile patrols and provided suitable advice to homeowners in the area about being vigilant and keeping property secured at all times including when occupied. Police have also increased patrols within the area to deter further incidents.
Acquisitive CrimeThey have included three incidents of theft by shoplifting from a local shop. There was also an incident whereby a male left his phone in a taxi and after advising they would return the device, took it to a block of flats and has not returned it. In response to these police have attended at all incidents and provided suitable safety advice including “Find my phone” software and the benefits of home security systems.
Suitable advice has also been passed regarding private home security systems and alarms as well as securing of property whilst you are home.
Road Safety & Road CrimeThese have included three incidents where the driver of a vehicle was found to be using their mobile phone whilst in control of thew motor vehicle. There has also been an incident whereby an individual has been involved in a road traffic collision and has left the scene without reporting the accident to Police.
In response to these police have spoken with the involved parties and charged as required. Police have also increased their high visibility mobile patrols in the affected areas to increase their presence to deter the same kind of incidents reoccurring.
Community Safety – After DarkHousebreaking can be a traumatic experience.
Although housebreaking can occur at any time of year criminals will often take advantage of darker nights and shorter daylight hours. Simple crime prevention measures can greatly reduce the chances of your home being targeted.
Lock the DoorObvious, 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. Keep the door locked when you are at home. This stops criminals coming in if you are in another part of the house or garden.
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.
Safes and Security Boxes
Don’t keep large amounts of gold, jewellery, and cash at home. Bedrooms and lofts are routinely searched during housebreakings, particularly if the occupants are celebrating a cultural festival.
Consider storing valuable items at your bank. Private companies offer similar services. If this option is unavailable, consider an insurance rated safe. Safes should be securely attached to the solid fabric of the building not just to a plasterboard wall or left sitting on the floor.
Lighting and CCTV House alarms and CCTV are a great visual deterrent. Modern Wi-Fi enabled CCTV systems can be combined with bright LED lighting. Any movement detected outside your home can trigger an alert to several mobile devices. If considering CCTV look to cover every aspect of your home. Small discreet cameras can also be used inside. Use signage to advise that CCTV is in use.
When your away use timers to turn on lights, radios, or TVs to put off unwanted visitors. Smart plugs allow times to be changed even whilst away.
VehiclesHigh value cars are particularly vulnerable to theft and criminals will commit a housebreaking to obtain the true key of the vehicle. Where possible park vehicles inside a garage. Secure the keys inside your property out of sight. Avoid leaving them in obvious locations such as the hallway table or kitchen. Never leave valuables in your car.
Keyless Theft or Relay Theft involves criminals using handheld technology to identify whether a parked car has keyless entry. If the car ‘key’ is close enough the criminals can amplify the signal and send it to a transmitter which acts as the true key and opens the car allowing it to be driven off. Keep keys and fobs well away from doors and windows and purchase a signal blocker wallet to keep them in.
Property Marking and InsuranceThere are several products you can buy which contain a unique code like DNA. This code is registered to your address. They are usually clear liquids which can be applied onto your possessions.
Check you have adequate insurance cover. Photograph and record your valuables to assist any insurance claim or Police report. This will assist police in identifying any items recovered.
General MaintenanceNever leave anything that can be used by a thief to gain entry lying around the garden. Overgrown bushes prevent neighbours seeing into your garden and allow criminals to go unseen.
Social MediaConsider what you are putting on social media, especially if you are going on holiday or attending weddings, functions or posting pictures with jewellery. Criminals search for this information to create a list of empty houses. Your social media accounts should be set to friends only.
Unusual ActivityReport any unusual activity to Police. Criminals will often call offering to carry out work. This can be used as a method to identify vulnerable targets.
Community ConcernsPlease take the opportunity to let us know what concerns or community issues the representatives of the community council have discussed this month and would like the Local Policing Team and the Community Action Team to address to improve your area.
Contact Us
Please also remember you can contact us using any of the following:101 – Non emergency;
Email -
AberdeenSouthCPT@scotland.police.ukTwitter - @NorthEPolice
Facebook –
www.facebook.com/NorthEastPoliceDivisionWeb –
www.scotland.police.uk999 – Emergency;
0800 555 111 - Crimestoppers;"
