At last week’s Westhill & Elrick community council meeting, Police Scotland gave an update on local crime statistics.

Among the incidents recorded in the area were theft of a pushchair from the charity shop, Barnardos, fire-raising on the grounds of Westhill Academy, taxi fraud, road rage, breach of the peace involving youths and the theft of some hens along with their chicks.

Remember, the new number for non-emergencies to Police Scotland is 101 if you have any information on these crimes or want to report any new incidents.

Following reports of thefts from houses, garages and cars in the Kintore area between 22 and 23rd November, Police Scotland would like to urge people across the Garioch to take effective precautions to ensure they do not become the victims of opportunist thieves.

Sergeant Andy Sawers of the Garioch Community Policing Team said “We are encouraging local residents to lock their homes, garages, sheds and cars when they go to bed, remove the keys from the locks and store them in a secure location and to consider using alarms. They should always remove any valuable items from vehicles and not leave any items in view to reduce the likelihood of them becoming victims of crime.

“Aberdeenshire remains one of the safest areas in the country, however complacency can set in.”

Police Scotland would also like to take the opportunity to remind people that as the winter months and dark nights approach, properties with little security can become easy targets. They would like to remind residents to close windows and doors, leave some lights on, whether on timers and to use appropriate locks.

Sergeant Sawers continued “We encourage any residents who witness any type of suspicious behaviour who have any information to contact Police Scotland by telephoning 101 or in the case of emergency 999. If you want to remain anonymous you can telephone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Update from local police officers to the June meeting of Westhill & Elrick Community Council:

There have been 23 crime records raised during the period 09/05/13 – 13/06/13 including:

Seven people reported to the Procurator Fiscal for Road Traffic Offences following Road Traffic Operation.

One person reported for drink driving and two persons reported for careless driving. One of these was following a collision.

Two thefts by shoplifting for which there are positive lines of enquiry. Theft of a motorbike and theft of materials from a company within Westhill. Theft of a quad bike from a farm building has lines of enquiry that are being followed up.

Two reports of threatening and abusive behaviour during a neighbour dispute – both parties have been warned regarding  their behaviour.

One assault between family members, suspect has been identified.

Just catching up with posting photos of the end of last year’s Grampian Police Excellence Awards where I had the pleasure of both judging and presenting some of the awards. It was a super event and fantastic to hear about all the good work being undertaken by staff.

Cllr Walker presents Highly Commended certificate in the Learning category to Colin Bain (left) and Sgt. Rob Sturton (right), from the Force’s Quality Review Unit

Cllr Walker presents Lorraine Warren (left), Flexible Learning Support Office, with her award as winner of the Learning category. Also pictured is Debbie Spence (right).

For up to date information on Police Scotland’s Aberdeenshire and Moray Division, click here:

http://www.scotland.police.uk/your-community/aberdeenshire-and-moray/

Cllrs McKail, Buchan, Evison, Walker, Hood, Cullinane and Shand say farewell to Chief Constable Colin McKerracher.

At midnight tonight, 31st March, 2013, Grampian Police along with the other seven forces in Scotland no longer exist. Anything with the above logo on it will be cast aside, thrown out or stashed as a keepsake to make way for a dream dreamt in Holyrood of one national police force under central control.

Grampian Police was formed on 16 May 1975 when the former forces of Aberdeen City Police and the Scottish North Eastern Counties Constabulary (SNECC) amalgamated on the re-organisation of local government.

Mr Colin McKerracher was appointed Chief Constable of Grampian Police on 12 April 2004 and leaves today proud of the force he hands over to Police Scotland.

Since joining Grampian Police, Mr McKerracher has been instrumental in achieving a more community based policing approach across the Force. This function came to fruition when the Force introduced a community focussed policing model under the banner “Local Policing, closer to you”. This model provides dedicated Local Policing Teams in each of the 24 local policing areas across the Force. He has ensured that national best practice and policy has been adopted by the Force to help reduce road traffic collisions and casualties.

He had overall responsibility for the policing of offshore installations, Royal residences on Deeside, as well as Aberdeen International Airport.

Of his many ambitions for Grampian Police, he believed primarily in developing an integrated organisational and planning structure capable of supporting community based policing to achieve real outcomes that meet community needs.  Core to this, he challenged historical practice, focussed minds on the empowerment and development of staff and he reintroduced the Police Cadet Scheme to Grampian Police, having identified the benefits to both the Force and youth in the local community.

There remains a wealth of experienced and dedicated officers who will now work under two divisions locally: Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire and Moray. I know that our local teams are adopting a “business as usual” attitude and will continue to serve our communities. Semper Vigilo will prevail.

The full impact though on police numbers, pay and conditions remains to be seen and it is widely reported that the bill was ill-thought out and rushed through. Joint police boards which up to now have played an effective scrutiny role are disbanded and just how much input into local policing plans local elected members will have is unclear.

Whether April Fools Day 2013 is remembered for the Scottish Government’s folly for policing in Scotland remains to be seen. I hope not. We need to make it work.

A new phone number was introduced last month in Scotland for non-urgent calls to the Police.

The public can now dial 101 to report relatively minor crimes, such as vandalism, or to pass on information about suspected drug use.

It is aimed at reducing pressure on the 999 system.

Callers are automatically routed by the system to their nearest police centre even if they are ringing from a mobile phone.

As well as reporting crimes, the number can be used to gain advice or to speak to a local officer.

All 101 calls are charged at a flat rate of 15p whether from a landline or mobile phone.

The police say the service is designed to take pressure off the 999 system and to make officers more accessible to communities.

The 101 number was introduced in England and Wales more than a year ago.

I attended the first Grampian Joint Police Board meeting of the new session today. Full membership of the board can be found here:

http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/LocalAgencies/gjpb/lag_membership.asp

 The Board at present consists of 15 councillors appointed from the membership of the 3 councils: 6 members appointed by Aberdeen City Council, 6 members appointed by Aberdeenshire Council and 3 members appointed by Moray Council.

On reading over the history of policing in the area I thought I would highlight just some of the key changes over the centuries:

In 1179 – confirmation of Aberdeen Burgh Status granted by William the Lion. Burgh laws allowed for three “heid courtis” to be presided over by twelve burgesses, an elected Provost and baillies, to ‘guard and maintain the burgh’s laws and customs’.

1795 – Aberdeen Police Act – 13 commissioners of police elected.

1868 – Improved working hours introduced, shift system and military ‘drill’. New style helmets introduced on City of London style; uniforms enhanced.

1918-19 – Metropolitan Police Officers go on strike to protest about poor pay and conditions. Rent-free housing introduced; 8 hour working day. Police Act banned officers from joining a union. Police Federation set up to represent officers.

1949 – SNECC (Scottish North East Counties’ Constabulary) set up, incorporating old forces of Aberdeenshire, Kincardineshire, Banffshire, Morayshire and Nairnshire.

1975 – SNECC and Aberdeen City Police forces amalgamate to create new Grampian Police Force.

2012 – Interesting times as we move towards a single police force. Although it is “business as usual” for the force, how local authorities are going to be involved in scrutiny through the Scottish Police Authority after 31 March 2013 is as yet unclear.