Police Report
"This report provides an update on all Policing matters in the South Aberdeen area covered by West End and Hazlehead CPT between the 1st of March and the 31st of May 2026.
West End and Hazlehead CPT covers – Ashley and Broomhill, Braeside and Mannofield, Craigiebuckler and Seafield, Culter, Cults, Bieldside and Miltimber, Ferryhill and Ruthrieston and Queens Cross and Harlaw.
The report aims to highlight emerging trends and issues in your area and any ongoing campaigns.
Our focus is aligned with the Force Priorities to reduce crime and disorder, help create safer
communities and respond effectively to local concerns. Although we do not intend to produce detailed statistics or comparison data a light touch overview will be provided.
The current force priorities are:
• Anti-Social Behaviour, Violence & Disorder
• Road Safety and Road Crime
• Protecting Vulnerable People
• Acquisitive Crime
• Serious and Organised Crime
COMMUNITY POLICING INSPECTOR COMMENTS
Looking Back
As mentioned in the last report in May of this year the West End Community Policing Team along with Mastrick and Manor Park teams relocated to our new purpose-built premises at Woodhill House. We have been within the premises for several weeks now and from an operational perspective we are starting to see the advantages of having a larger hub in terms of providing a more efficient and effective Police response for the communities we serve. Officers have commented positively on the working environment and from my own experiences as an operational Inspector I find it easier to flex resources as my disposal to accommodate demand across the city.
During May and June Operation Armour was instigated which was an intelligence led operation across Aberdeen City targeting the criminal and anti-social use of E-motorcycles, adapted E-bikes, E-scooters and petrol motorcycles. There has been considerable press interest both locally and nationally regarding their use and the associated risks to motorists and members of the public which is an ongoing issue and something Police Scotland along with partner agencies are keen to tackle.
Officers from our Community Action Team in Aberdeen identified 154 crimes and charged 50 people during the three week crack down. This included officers patrolling known crime hot spots, targeting offenders, and gathering intelligence. The initiative followed an increase in reports about illegal vehicle use across the city. Of particular focus were parks, playing fields, golf courses, and the city centre. Eight search warrants were carried out at properties with 5 electric motorbikes, 19e-bikes, 15 e-scooters , 5 petrol motorcycles, a van and a car seized. Furthermore 50 people were charged in connection with crimes including dangerous driving, no licence, no insurance, driving on footpaths and not wearing a helmet.
The current force priorities are:
• Anti-Social Behaviour, Violence & Disorder
• Road Safety and Road Crime
• Protecting Vulnerable People
• Acquisitive Crime
• Serious and Organised Crime
COMMUNITY POLICING INSPECTOR COMMENTS
Looking Back
As mentioned in the last report in May of this year the West End Community Policing Team along with Mastrick and Manor Park teams relocated to our new purpose-built premises at Woodhill House. We have been within the premises for several weeks now and from an operational perspective we are starting to see the advantages of having a larger hub in terms of providing a more efficient and effective Police response for the communities we serve. Officers have commented positively on the working environment and from my own experiences as an operational Inspector I find it easier to flex resources as my disposal to accommodate demand across the city.
During May and June Operation Armour was instigated which was an intelligence led operation across Aberdeen City targeting the criminal and anti-social use of E-motorcycles, adapted E-bikes, E-scooters and petrol motorcycles. There has been considerable press interest both locally and nationally regarding their use and the associated risks to motorists and members of the public which is an ongoing issue and something Police Scotland along with partner agencies are keen to tackle.
Officers from our Community Action Team in Aberdeen identified 154 crimes and charged 50 people during the three week crack down. This included officers patrolling known crime hot spots, targeting offenders, and gathering intelligence. The initiative followed an increase in reports about illegal vehicle use across the city. Of particular focus were parks, playing fields, golf courses, and the city centre. Eight search warrants were carried out at properties with 5 electric motorbikes, 19e-bikes, 15 e-scooters , 5 petrol motorcycles, a van and a car seized. Furthermore 50 people were charged in connection with crimes including dangerous driving, no licence, no insurance, driving on footpaths and not wearing a helmet.
I would urge parents to stop their children riding e-scooters in public places. Under current laws e-scooters can only be legally used on private land and if used in public places can be seized by us. If caught parents face a fine and potentially penalty points being added to their children’s future licences. Parents need to fully understand the risks involved not only to their children but innocent members of the public.
Police Scotland will continue to work with partner agencies to seek longer term sustainable solutions and I would urge anyone with information to contact 101 or complete the ‘contact us’ form on the Police Scotland website. This will allow us to build an intelligence picture and ultimately carry out further targeted enforcement action in the future.
In addition to the above I have included several examples of incidents in each of the community council areas. If anyone has information regarding those that remain undetected, please get in touch.
Ferryhill and Ruthrieston
During the early hours of Sunday 24th May 2026, an insecure premises on Rosebank Terrace, Aberdeen was entered and several items were taken from within. This incident remains undetected and witnesses are sought in relation to anyone acting suspiciously in the area on that date. If anyone has any information, please contact 101 quoting reference 1357 of 26/05/26.
During the early hours of Friday 12th June 2026, a commercial premises on Holburn Street, Aberdeen was broken into. Officers attended whilst the incident was ongoing and a male was taken into custody. He was subsequently charged with the offence, and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.
Ashley and Broomhill
Between 12th May 2026 and 13th May 2026, an insecure motor vehicle parked on Broomhill Road, Aberdeen was broken into and personal belongings were taken from within. This was an opportunist theft and enquiries remain ongoing. If anyone has any information, can they please contact Police Scotland quoting crime reference 0216802/26.
During the afternoon on Monday 25th May 2026, officers in plain clothes stopped a male on a e-scooter travelling along the old Deeside Railway line. The scooter was seized and the male was charged with a number of road traffic offences, a report has since been submitted.
Braeside and Mannofield
During May 2026, a minor assault occurred outside Mannofield Parish Church, Aberdeen. Following enquiries a male was later identified as responsible and was charged with the offence. A report has since been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal. The incident occurred during the hours of day light and this type of behaviour in a busy residential area will not be tolerated.
During May 2026, a local resident answered a Gumtree advert in relation to sports equipment for sale. The conversation moved to another communication platform and money was subsequently sent and no goods were received and the seller blocked any further communication with the buyer. Enquiries remain ongoing to identify the person responsible; I would strongly advise members of the public who use websites like these to follow the guidelines available to avoid this type of fraudulent activity.
Craigiebuckler and Seafield
On 4th April 2026, a motor vehicle was stooped near to Skene Road, Aberdeen. The vehicle was seen to be driving erratically and when stopped the driver was found to only have a provisional licence. They were subsequently charged with careless driving and no licence and insurance. Divisional and Roads Policing officers will continue to patrol the area which has previously seen a number of drivers exceed the speed limit.
Between 0630 hours on 25th May 2026 and 1500 hours on 31st May 2026, a residential address on Provost Graham Avenue was vandalised in the form of a front door being damaged. Enquiries remain ongoing and residents are urged to contact the Police if they saw anyone acting suspiciously in the area at the material time or they themselves have experienced similar damage. When contacting Police Scotland please quote crime reference 0257159/26.
Queens Cross and Harlaw
At 1635 hours on Tuesday 26th May 2026, officers observed an e-bike being ridden along Holborn Street, Aberdeen. The bike was stopped and checks revealed the bike didn’t conform to public road standards. The bike was seized and the rider was charged with no licence and insurance and failing to wear a crash helmet.
Police Scotland will continue to work with partner agencies to seek longer term sustainable solutions and I would urge anyone with information to contact 101 or complete the ‘contact us’ form on the Police Scotland website. This will allow us to build an intelligence picture and ultimately carry out further targeted enforcement action in the future.
In addition to the above I have included several examples of incidents in each of the community council areas. If anyone has information regarding those that remain undetected, please get in touch.
Ferryhill and Ruthrieston
During the early hours of Sunday 24th May 2026, an insecure premises on Rosebank Terrace, Aberdeen was entered and several items were taken from within. This incident remains undetected and witnesses are sought in relation to anyone acting suspiciously in the area on that date. If anyone has any information, please contact 101 quoting reference 1357 of 26/05/26.
During the early hours of Friday 12th June 2026, a commercial premises on Holburn Street, Aberdeen was broken into. Officers attended whilst the incident was ongoing and a male was taken into custody. He was subsequently charged with the offence, and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.
Ashley and Broomhill
Between 12th May 2026 and 13th May 2026, an insecure motor vehicle parked on Broomhill Road, Aberdeen was broken into and personal belongings were taken from within. This was an opportunist theft and enquiries remain ongoing. If anyone has any information, can they please contact Police Scotland quoting crime reference 0216802/26.
During the afternoon on Monday 25th May 2026, officers in plain clothes stopped a male on a e-scooter travelling along the old Deeside Railway line. The scooter was seized and the male was charged with a number of road traffic offences, a report has since been submitted.
Braeside and Mannofield
During May 2026, a minor assault occurred outside Mannofield Parish Church, Aberdeen. Following enquiries a male was later identified as responsible and was charged with the offence. A report has since been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal. The incident occurred during the hours of day light and this type of behaviour in a busy residential area will not be tolerated.
During May 2026, a local resident answered a Gumtree advert in relation to sports equipment for sale. The conversation moved to another communication platform and money was subsequently sent and no goods were received and the seller blocked any further communication with the buyer. Enquiries remain ongoing to identify the person responsible; I would strongly advise members of the public who use websites like these to follow the guidelines available to avoid this type of fraudulent activity.
Craigiebuckler and Seafield
On 4th April 2026, a motor vehicle was stooped near to Skene Road, Aberdeen. The vehicle was seen to be driving erratically and when stopped the driver was found to only have a provisional licence. They were subsequently charged with careless driving and no licence and insurance. Divisional and Roads Policing officers will continue to patrol the area which has previously seen a number of drivers exceed the speed limit.
Between 0630 hours on 25th May 2026 and 1500 hours on 31st May 2026, a residential address on Provost Graham Avenue was vandalised in the form of a front door being damaged. Enquiries remain ongoing and residents are urged to contact the Police if they saw anyone acting suspiciously in the area at the material time or they themselves have experienced similar damage. When contacting Police Scotland please quote crime reference 0257159/26.
Queens Cross and Harlaw
At 1635 hours on Tuesday 26th May 2026, officers observed an e-bike being ridden along Holborn Street, Aberdeen. The bike was stopped and checks revealed the bike didn’t conform to public road standards. The bike was seized and the rider was charged with no licence and insurance and failing to wear a crash helmet.
In the early hours of the morning on Monday 18th May 2026, on Union Grove, Aberdeen, an unattended insecure vehicle was entered. Thankfully, there were no valuables left within and the culprit left empty handed. Enquiries are ongoing and anyone with any information is asked to contact the Police quoting crime reference 0220232/26.
Culter
At 1405 hours on Friday 12th May 2026, two unidentified males entered the Spar shop premises on North Deeside Road, Aberdeen, and stoles a quantity of alcohol from within. Positive lines of enquiry are being pursued, and it is hoped that those responsible will be identified and dealt with accordingly.
Culter
At 1405 hours on Friday 12th May 2026, two unidentified males entered the Spar shop premises on North Deeside Road, Aberdeen, and stoles a quantity of alcohol from within. Positive lines of enquiry are being pursued, and it is hoped that those responsible will be identified and dealt with accordingly.
Acquisitive crime is a force priority, shop workers should be allowed to do their job without fear of shoplifting, Police Scotland will do what they can to prevent offending, pursue criminals, and protect staff.
During May 2026, at an address in Coronation Road, Peterculter a male acted in a threatening and aggressive manner to the alarm of one of the residents. A male was taken into Police custody, and a report has since been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.
Cults, Bieldside and Milltimber
Recently there have recently been several housebreakings in the area. I am acutely aware of the obvious concerns local residents will have and as such the incidents were progressed at pace by Local Policing Teams and CID officers, and I am pleased to report that a male has been arrested, charged, and kept in custody to appear at Aberdeen Sheriff Court.
In terms of security advice, I would ask that local residents keep doors locked, consider the use of CCTV and devices like Ring doorbells. If they have any valuables for example jewellery, consider taking photographs and please ensure you store them securely.
Looking forward
As we approach the summer holidays and light nights there is often an increase in antisocial type behaviour especially around vacant school and disused premises. When resources and call volume allows officers will patrol these areas, I would urge members of the public to report any incidents, and every effort will be made to identify those responsible and take the appropriate action. This can often be in the form of the use of e-scooters and other means of transport which I have already spoken about, further operations will be planned to target this type of behaviour. Operations will also be planned in line with current force priorities and the current intelligence picture regarding crime tends/issues in your local area.
The West End of Aberdeen continues be a low crime area, but I understand the distress and frustration low level crime such as antisocial behaviour causes in the local community and would therefore encourage you to contact the Police to report the circumstances or indeed any suspicious behaviour.
Education and proactive patrols will continue in the West End area in relation to acquisitive crime. As before I would urge local residents to continue to remain vigilant and ensure their properties are secure during the hours of darkness. Please report any suspicious activity to Police Scotland.
Anti-Social Behaviour, Violence & Disorder:
Anti-Social Behaviour remains an area where we aim to facilitate early interventions for those vulnerable to involvement in anti-social behaviour, violence, and disorder. To identify locations where such behaviour is likely to happen and try to identify solutions to potential problems.
Police Scotland aims to target locations where a high number of calls indicating local disruption are identified. The areas identified are determined by local intelligence and calls received from members of the public.
We will continue to respond to incidents that are brought to our attention and where particular ‘Hotspots’ are identified we will direct resources appropriately to counter those behaviours. Where ‘Hotspots’ are identified these will be highlighted in future reports.
Given the impact the behaviour of a small minority can have on a community it is important that the Communities we serve make us aware of these issues at the time they occur. This will afford us the best opportunity to respond appropriately and have a positive impact on the people involved in anti-social behaviour.
Officers recovered drugs and cash worth almost £2 million in Aberdeen on Wednesday 1 April 2026. Cannabis cultivations were found within properties across Aberdeen including on Broomhill Road. The estimated street value is over £1.8 million and a five-figure sum of cash was recovered. Three men, aged 30, 31 and 43 have been arrested and charged in connection with this recovery were held in custody to attend court.
An increasing number of cannabis cultivations are being found within rental properties which are solely being used to grow illegal drugs. Many of these properties also have electricity meters bypassed to gain power illegally. We remain committed to disrupting the supply of controlled drugs in Aberdeen and through proactive work continue to seize and dismantle a significant number of illegal substances each month.
Road Safety and Road Crime:
Road safety and road crime is a priority for Police Scotland.
We continue to actively monitor roads across the CPT area and conduct speed checks to educate drivers. Speed checks were carried out in the communities that have recently had the 20mph limit implemented due to concerns raised by local residents.
Where concerns are raised regarding driver behaviour, we will continue to liaise with the local authority with a view to securing their assistance with speed surveys which may in turn provide the necessary evidence to warrant the deployment of Northeast Safety Camera Partnership resources in those areas.
Due to the increased complaints from residents and members of the community in relation to the use of off-road bikes on grassy areas and residential streets, Police Scotland instigated Operation Armour.
Operation Armour is an intelligence led operation relating to the criminal and anti-social use of E-Motorcycles, adapted E-Bikes, E-Scooters and petrol motorcycles across Aberdeen City.
Between 18 May and 5 June 2026, the Community Action Team identified a number of nominals that had access to E-motorcycles and made efforts to identify where they were being utilised and stored. Various nominals and addresses were identified throughout the City.
The unit also focussed on the delivery drivers that utilise e-bikes in the City Centre and a number were found to have been adapted and deemed illegal.
During the three-week Operation a total of 154 Crime Reports have been raised. Warrants were obtained which assisted in the recovery of some of the vehicles. The following recoveries were made during the Operation;
5 x SurRon style Electric Motorcycles
19 x Adapted E-Bikes (delivery drivers in the City Centre)
15 x Electric Scooters
5 x Petrol motorcycles
1 x Van
1 x Car
32 grams of Diamorphine
1.3 kilogram of Cannabis
£2195 in cash
In total, 50 nominals have been charged with various road traffic offences, which include dangerous Driving, Disqualified Driving, driving an unregistered vehicle without a licence, driving an unregistered vehicle without insurance, driving on footpaths and not wearing a crash helmet. 4 nominals have also been charged with drug supply during the operation.
The Community Action Team are continuing to generate intelligence about individuals that are using e-bikes and e-motorcycles illegally and are also keen to identify storage locations for these. If you have any information that could assist, then you can report this via 101 or by emailing northeastcommunityactionaberdeencity@scotland.police.uk.
SERIOUS ORGANISED CRIME:
There are always a number of operations being run within Aberdeen city with regards to serious and organised crime.
Serious and organised crime (SOC) is tackled using the 4D strategy “Disrupt, Detect, Deter and Divert”. This allows Police alongside partner agencies to proactively collaborate together and support those most vulnerable from the effects of SOC and drug misuse in our local community.
Officers also continue to stop and search persons using Police powers to search for Possession of Controlled Drugs and Offensive Weapons with several seizures of both. Information from the community is vital. Any information received will be acted on and the community is asked that anyone with information or concerns contacts 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously. Police Scotland are determined to protect the public from this harmful criminality by disrupting the drugs trade and preventing their manufacture and distribution.
During May 2026, at an address in Coronation Road, Peterculter a male acted in a threatening and aggressive manner to the alarm of one of the residents. A male was taken into Police custody, and a report has since been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.
Cults, Bieldside and Milltimber
Recently there have recently been several housebreakings in the area. I am acutely aware of the obvious concerns local residents will have and as such the incidents were progressed at pace by Local Policing Teams and CID officers, and I am pleased to report that a male has been arrested, charged, and kept in custody to appear at Aberdeen Sheriff Court.
In terms of security advice, I would ask that local residents keep doors locked, consider the use of CCTV and devices like Ring doorbells. If they have any valuables for example jewellery, consider taking photographs and please ensure you store them securely.
Looking forward
As we approach the summer holidays and light nights there is often an increase in antisocial type behaviour especially around vacant school and disused premises. When resources and call volume allows officers will patrol these areas, I would urge members of the public to report any incidents, and every effort will be made to identify those responsible and take the appropriate action. This can often be in the form of the use of e-scooters and other means of transport which I have already spoken about, further operations will be planned to target this type of behaviour. Operations will also be planned in line with current force priorities and the current intelligence picture regarding crime tends/issues in your local area.
The West End of Aberdeen continues be a low crime area, but I understand the distress and frustration low level crime such as antisocial behaviour causes in the local community and would therefore encourage you to contact the Police to report the circumstances or indeed any suspicious behaviour.
Education and proactive patrols will continue in the West End area in relation to acquisitive crime. As before I would urge local residents to continue to remain vigilant and ensure their properties are secure during the hours of darkness. Please report any suspicious activity to Police Scotland.
Anti-Social Behaviour, Violence & Disorder:
Anti-Social Behaviour remains an area where we aim to facilitate early interventions for those vulnerable to involvement in anti-social behaviour, violence, and disorder. To identify locations where such behaviour is likely to happen and try to identify solutions to potential problems.
Police Scotland aims to target locations where a high number of calls indicating local disruption are identified. The areas identified are determined by local intelligence and calls received from members of the public.
We will continue to respond to incidents that are brought to our attention and where particular ‘Hotspots’ are identified we will direct resources appropriately to counter those behaviours. Where ‘Hotspots’ are identified these will be highlighted in future reports.
Given the impact the behaviour of a small minority can have on a community it is important that the Communities we serve make us aware of these issues at the time they occur. This will afford us the best opportunity to respond appropriately and have a positive impact on the people involved in anti-social behaviour.
Officers recovered drugs and cash worth almost £2 million in Aberdeen on Wednesday 1 April 2026. Cannabis cultivations were found within properties across Aberdeen including on Broomhill Road. The estimated street value is over £1.8 million and a five-figure sum of cash was recovered. Three men, aged 30, 31 and 43 have been arrested and charged in connection with this recovery were held in custody to attend court.
An increasing number of cannabis cultivations are being found within rental properties which are solely being used to grow illegal drugs. Many of these properties also have electricity meters bypassed to gain power illegally. We remain committed to disrupting the supply of controlled drugs in Aberdeen and through proactive work continue to seize and dismantle a significant number of illegal substances each month.
Road Safety and Road Crime:
Road safety and road crime is a priority for Police Scotland.
We continue to actively monitor roads across the CPT area and conduct speed checks to educate drivers. Speed checks were carried out in the communities that have recently had the 20mph limit implemented due to concerns raised by local residents.
Where concerns are raised regarding driver behaviour, we will continue to liaise with the local authority with a view to securing their assistance with speed surveys which may in turn provide the necessary evidence to warrant the deployment of Northeast Safety Camera Partnership resources in those areas.
Due to the increased complaints from residents and members of the community in relation to the use of off-road bikes on grassy areas and residential streets, Police Scotland instigated Operation Armour.
Operation Armour is an intelligence led operation relating to the criminal and anti-social use of E-Motorcycles, adapted E-Bikes, E-Scooters and petrol motorcycles across Aberdeen City.
Between 18 May and 5 June 2026, the Community Action Team identified a number of nominals that had access to E-motorcycles and made efforts to identify where they were being utilised and stored. Various nominals and addresses were identified throughout the City.
The unit also focussed on the delivery drivers that utilise e-bikes in the City Centre and a number were found to have been adapted and deemed illegal.
During the three-week Operation a total of 154 Crime Reports have been raised. Warrants were obtained which assisted in the recovery of some of the vehicles. The following recoveries were made during the Operation;
5 x SurRon style Electric Motorcycles
19 x Adapted E-Bikes (delivery drivers in the City Centre)
15 x Electric Scooters
5 x Petrol motorcycles
1 x Van
1 x Car
32 grams of Diamorphine
1.3 kilogram of Cannabis
£2195 in cash
In total, 50 nominals have been charged with various road traffic offences, which include dangerous Driving, Disqualified Driving, driving an unregistered vehicle without a licence, driving an unregistered vehicle without insurance, driving on footpaths and not wearing a crash helmet. 4 nominals have also been charged with drug supply during the operation.
The Community Action Team are continuing to generate intelligence about individuals that are using e-bikes and e-motorcycles illegally and are also keen to identify storage locations for these. If you have any information that could assist, then you can report this via 101 or by emailing northeastcommunityactionaberdeencity@scotland.police.uk.
SERIOUS ORGANISED CRIME:
There are always a number of operations being run within Aberdeen city with regards to serious and organised crime.
Serious and organised crime (SOC) is tackled using the 4D strategy “Disrupt, Detect, Deter and Divert”. This allows Police alongside partner agencies to proactively collaborate together and support those most vulnerable from the effects of SOC and drug misuse in our local community.
Officers also continue to stop and search persons using Police powers to search for Possession of Controlled Drugs and Offensive Weapons with several seizures of both. Information from the community is vital. Any information received will be acted on and the community is asked that anyone with information or concerns contacts 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously. Police Scotland are determined to protect the public from this harmful criminality by disrupting the drugs trade and preventing their manufacture and distribution.
The above image is a form for CrimeStoppers- I am sharing this in case this is something new to some. It is very important that members of public who have any form of intelligence surrounding illegal activities that may be going on in their local communities come forward as this builds a bigger picture in terms of Policing and helps us reach a safe conclusion. CrimeStoppers is a great tool to have, and members of public can report things anonymously if they wish.
ACQUISITIVE CRIME:
Acquisitive crime encompasses a number of crimes such as Theft by Housebreaking, Vehicle Crime, Shoplifting, Fraud and Theft.
In March 2026 the Community Action Team led two productive days of action with an operation focussed on retail crime in Aberdeen. As a result, a 60-year-old man and a 49-year-old woman were charged in relation to 8 thefts by shoplifting. The 60-year-old was also arrested on an outstanding warrant. Men aged 41, 42 and 45 old were reported to the Procurator Fiscal in connection with 9 further Thefts by Shoplifting. A 38-year-old woman was arrested on warrant and was charged with 3 thefts by shoplifting, 1 attempted theft by shoplifting and 2 offences under the Protection of Retail Workers (Scotland) Act 2021.
The operation was deemed a success with high tariff repeat perpetrators disrupted.
Shoplifting is not a victimless crime and can have a detrimental impact on businesses and employees. We work closely with retailers and partners to disrupt and detect retail crime and continue to bring offenders to justice.
CID officers arrested and charged a 33-year-old man in connection with a series of 11 thefts and attempted thefts from vehicles, the theft of a car, and a hit and run crash. The incidents took place in the Craigiebuckler, Hazlehead and West End areas between Friday 8 May and Saturday 9 May 2026.
PROTECTING VULNERABLE PEOPLE:
During March 2026 Police Scotland Partnerships, Prevention and Interventions team focused on rolling out the Distress Brief Intervention (DBI) Service among operational officers. The Distress Brief Intervention service provides support to people who are experiencing distress and feeling overwhelmed emotionally. This service provides a quick response which listens and supports with a sensitive, caring and non-judgemental approach. Operational officers can now refer individuals using their mobile device which is taken with them to every job. The service is provided through Penumbra 365.
Penumbra 365 is based in Aberdeen and is intended to be “a single point of access” for people who are 18+, resident in Aberdeen and seeking mental health, well-being, or distress support. The aim is for practitioners to provide the appropriate in-person crisis support, prevent escalation, provide a recognised point of access and to act as a much-needed diversion from hospital or custody. It also allows practitioners to do a thorough assessment, particularly helpful as often this acts as a gateway for signposting to other support services.
By providing mental health support immediately and putting follow-up steps in place to support that person out of crisis, this helps to avert future crisis. Police Scotland are able to sign post persons seeking mental health support to Penumbra 365 and this has proved highly effective.
So far, the feedback from this new Distress Brief Intervention (DBI) Service has been positive and operational officers are more regularly using this to help vulnerable people in need.
A wealth of information and advice relating to home security as well as other Police related matters can be accessed on the Police Scotland website at:
https://www.scotland.police.uk/advice-and-information/
Scams
In Scotland, report all scams to Advice Direct Scotland by calling 0808 164 6000 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) or online at www.consumeradvice.scot
Fraud
If you have been the victim of fraud, report it to Police Scotland on 101 or 999 in an emergency.
Suspicious Emails
You can forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk and send links from websites which you think are trying to scam the public to the National Cyber Security Centre's scam website reporting service at www.ncsc.gov.uk/section/about-this-website/report-scam-website
Suspicious Text Messages
If you receive a suspicious text message you can forward it to 7726. The free-of-charge ‘7726’ service enables your provider to investigate and take action if malicious content is found.
Social Media and Feedback
There may be updates on Police action in your community on Social Media sites as below:
Facebook- www.facebook.com/PoliceScotlandNorthEast
X- x.com/psosnortheast
Any feedback, please send an email to northeastcptaberdeencity@scotland.police.uk or report matters of criminality or anti-social behaviour via 101.
In Scotland, report all scams to Advice Direct Scotland by calling 0808 164 6000 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) or online at www.consumeradvice.scot
Fraud
If you have been the victim of fraud, report it to Police Scotland on 101 or 999 in an emergency.
Suspicious Emails
You can forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk and send links from websites which you think are trying to scam the public to the National Cyber Security Centre's scam website reporting service at www.ncsc.gov.uk/section/about-this-website/report-scam-website
Suspicious Text Messages
If you receive a suspicious text message you can forward it to 7726. The free-of-charge ‘7726’ service enables your provider to investigate and take action if malicious content is found.
Social Media and Feedback
There may be updates on Police action in your community on Social Media sites as below:
Facebook- www.facebook.com/PoliceScotlandNorthEast
X- x.com/psosnortheast
Any feedback, please send an email to northeastcptaberdeencity@scotland.police.uk or report matters of criminality or anti-social behaviour via 101.
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