CHIEF CONSTABLE’S ANNUAL REPORT 2008-2009

Introduction and overview by Kevin Smith

It gives me great pleasure to number of officers available where it The quantity of drugs seized from present my first annual report as matters most – making communities dealers has increased with last Chief Constable of Central as safe as they can be. A major year representing one of the best Police. The report covers the activity part of that was the introduction in terms of significant recoveries of the Force for the period April 1 of new community policing teams, of heroin, cocaine, amphetamine 2008 to March 31 2009. working closely with the public to and cannabis. The force’s detection produce priorities for tackling the rate has also stayed at a high level, I took up my post on October 1 issues of greatest concern at a local with more than 58 per cent of all 2008 following the retiral of Andrew level. Modernising how we work and offences being successfully detected. Cameron who was Chief Constable being innovative in our approach has for eight years. I would like to take You will see from this report also been important as we seek to this opportunity to thank him for his that our focus in the last year meet the many local, national and dedication and commitment to the has been on key issues: public international challenges which face Force and for his leadership through protection and ensuring the safety us and our communities. challenging times. I recognise of the most vulnerable in society that I have inherited a police force from harm in areas such as child This year the force has been which is seen as a leader in the protection, domestic abuse and recognised for its efforts in UK in terms of crime detection, the management of sex offenders; ensuring a healthy workforce overall performance and community dealing with the ever-present threat which is ready to meet the needs engagement. I wish to build on this from terrorism globally; tackling of its communities and for a move success and to ensure that Central serious organised crime, including towards civilian investigators Scotland Police continues to have a issues such as human trafficking; working alongside police officers positive impact on the communities and ensuring the safety of the to improve quality of service to we serve. public on the road network. As we the public especially around ‘high made real progress in 2008-2009 move forward, we will monitor all volume crime’. and we will continue to move emerging trends and shape our forward positively, effectively and response appropriately with a single In terms of recorded crime, the efficiently in the coming year in objective – the safety of the public story is extremely positive. The year order to protect our communities, and our communities – as our aim. saw a fall in the number of offences safeguard the public and prevent reported to the police. In real terms crime. that means we have seen fewer A number of organisational and victims of crime across Forth Valley’s structural changes have now taken communities. Crime has fallen place, all with the objective of across key areas such as violence, Kevin Smith ensuring we have the maximum theft, housebreaking and vandalism. Chief Constable

We have redesigned the annual report this year to make a more readable document. While the volume of statistics in the report has been reduced, we have included more detailed data on our website at www.centralscotlandpolice.co.uk

Central Scotland Police Chief Constable’s Annual Report 2008-2009 

Leadership Force Executive Chief Constable Kevin Smith The Force Policy Group is where key strategic decisions are taken in relation to the organisation’s activity. Chaired by the Chief Constable, membership also includes the Chief Superintendents responsible for Communities Policing and Deputy Chief Constable Crime & Specialist Services, Head of Human Resources and the Communications Iain MacLeod & Marketing Manager.

During the past year pending the appointment of John Mauger, from , Assistant Chief Constable John Mauger as Assistant Chief Constable, Chief Superintendents Gordon Mackenzie and Derek Penman both carried out the role temporarily. A third Chief Superintendent with responsibility for Corporate and Operational Support, Andrew Barker, was Mr Roddy Shearer appointed as Assistant Chief Constable in . As part of the force restructuring, Director of Finance and the third Chief Superintendents post was removed. Chief Superintendent Penman Resources was also appointed Assistant Chief Constable at Grampian Police.

First Policing contact Central Scotland

Between April 1 2008 and March 31 Central Scotland Police area covers the three local authorities of , 2009, we handled 29,964 calls via the and , with a total population of approximately 999 system. More than 91.7 per cent of 288,000 people. The area has a number of diverse communities from urban these were answered within 10 seconds. to rural. The area is also home to the petrochemical complex and port at , iconic tourist sites, a major university and Further Education We also answered 90 per cent of non- college, three prisons, busy retail centres and a growing night-time economy. emergency calls within 40 seconds. In total 299,567 such calls were received. total population of The Public Assistance Desk took 2989 crime reports directly over the telephone. approximately 288,000 people

Central Scotland Joint Police Board

Convener – Councillor The Joint Police Board has two Craig R Martin (Falkirk Council); George Matchett QPM, Vice Conveners, Councillors Andrew Simpson and Neil Benny Clackmannanshire Council. Jim Blackwood (Falkirk Council) (Stirling Council); and Craig and Graham Houston (Stirling Holden (Clackmannanshire Council). Eight other members Council). The Board and sub- make up the board: Tom committees meet throughout the Coleman, Alan Nimmo, Alex year and meetings are open to the Waddell, Martin Oliver and public unless specifically stated.

Central Scotland Police Chief Constable’s Annual Report 2008-2009  Crime Statistics SummaryCrime under the microscope

Crime is recorded by group falling into Crime fall continues per cent from the previous year. seven different categories in total. Each of the three area commands Detection rates are counted over Crime across Central Scotland’s recorded falls in crime – one per a set period, no matter when communities continued to fall last cent in Stirling, 12 per cent in the crime took place. Full crime year. Over all five major crime Clackmannanshire and three per cent statistics are available at groups there were 18,942 crimes in Falkirk. A total of 58.1 per cent of www.centralscotland.police.uk recorded – a decrease of 918 or 4.6 all recorded crime was detected.

Victims supported Thieves

The number of crimes of indecency (Group Two) fell during the year by 34 per beware cent or 163 crimes with a total of 316 being reported and 80 per cent being detected. Almost 29 per cent of these crimes were historic, dating back as far as the 1960s. Eight per cent of the 50 rapes reported and 60 per cent of Crimes involving dishonesty (Group the 118 lewd and libidinous cases were historic. These cases are investigated Three) totalled 8060 last year, a by detectives from Area Command CID teams, Family Unit or Historic Abuse fall of 2.3 per cent or 187 crimes Unit, with an emphasis on the delivery of justice and victim care. compared to the previous year. The force detected 50 per cent of all Group Three crimes, compared to a national average of 38 per cent. In general housebreaking fell by 13 per Bogus cent, with decreases in the numbers of homes, sheds, garages, cars and commercial premises being targeted team halted by thieves. Thefts from cars also fell by 12 per cent or 99 cases to a total of 729. Items such as sat-navs, Two violent bogus workmen from audio equipment, golf clubs and England were captured after good work tools were among those taken. teamwork between dog handlers, road Shoplifting, currency offences and policing officers and detectives. The fraud all increased last year. men, who have since been convicted of a range of offences in England, were The force robustly manages volume caught after a lengthy vehicle and foot crime, quickly identifying crime pursuit. Detectives then worked with series and suspects. The Priority other Scottish and English forces to Crime Unit at Falkirk, consisting of piece together their activity. civilian investigators working with detectives, focuses largely on these crimes, freeing up frontline officers to be deployed in highly visible roles  Central Scotland Police Chief Constable’s Annual Report 2008-2009 within communities. Major investigations Vandalism

During the early part of the year, Detectives engaged in tackling cleaned up the force dealt with a number serious organised crime also had a of major inquiries, which placed successful year. There was a fall of five per cent or 301 significant demand on all resources. A number of major drug seizures crimes involving malicious mischief Following a large-scale complex were made throughout the 12 (Group Four) with a total of 5857 investigation, a 49-year-old man, month period, including a 15 kilo recorded. More than a third of crimes William Ellis, was convicted of consignment of cocaine – valued committed were detected, with the conspiracy to abduct and assault a at up to £7 million at street prices national average below 25 per cent. woman. He is awaiting sentence. – and several cannabis cultivations There were 5453 vandalisms recorded, in Falkirk, Stirling and . The a fall of four per cent from the previous A missing person inquiry became cocaine seizure represented the year. Vandalism accounts for 29 per an investigation into the death of single biggest recovery of drugs cent of all recorded Group One-Five Stirling man John McAnish when made by the force. An Alloa lorry crime, with 111 people in every 1000 his body was found in a landfill site driver, Cameron McFarlane, was still becoming a victim of vandalism. near Polmont. A 40-year-old man, jailed for more than 5 years for his The force continues to focus strongly on Gary McGowan, was subsequently involvement. vandalism and other forms of antisocial convicted and jailed for more than behaviour at all levels and in all areas. four years in relation to his death Community officers working in and disposal of Mr McAnish’s body. conjunction with detectives carried out a series of raids on addresses A third large-scale inquiry was also where prostitution was taking carried out but which is still sub place. A number of female foreign judice. nationals were taken into the care Violent of the authorities. Three murder inquiries were also conducted over the course of Information from the public played crime the year in Bo’ness, Falkirk and a key role in progressing these Sauchie. inquiries. cleared up

Crimes of violence (Group One) fell by seven per cent last year, a total of 31 Drugs in fewer crimes with a total of 432 being recorded. The force detection rate for this group was 97 per cent, well focus above the national average of 61.5 per cent. Three murders which occurred Group Five crimes include - one more than the year before proactive enforcement in - were all detected. Each of the 62 areas including drugs and bail attempted murder cases investigation offences. Overall there was a - three more than in 2007-2008 - was decrease of 236 crimes, or five detected. The number of serious per cent, with 4277 recorded in total. There was an increase in the total assaults fell by four per cent or number of drug charges brought – 2019 in total, an increase of two per eight cases, 97 per cent them being cent. Supply charges totalled 579, a fall of 13 per cent or 88 compared detected. Robberies increased by 21 to the year before with the number of people charged with possession cases or 38 per cent on the previous increasing by eight per cent, or 106 cases, to 1401 in total. year with 91 per cent being detected.

The number of bail offences recorded fell by 255 or 23 per cent to 837 in More than 40 per cent of attempted total with offensive weapons charges increasing by 11 per cent compared murders, a third of serious assaults and to 2007/2008. Half of those recovered were knives with the rest including almost a fifth of robberies were carried hammers, pieces of woods, metal bars and sports bats/clubs. out at or within homes.

Central Scotland Police Chief Constable’s Annual Report 2008-2009  Area Community policing The shape of community policing took on a new look following a review of the way officers engage with the public at a local level. commands Eight new community policing teams in each of the area commands were introduced, with an increase in the number of officers working in them to 76. Policing across the three local authority areas is the responsibility of area The teams are responsible for communities in Stirling, , commands, territorial divisions which , Alloa, Falkirk North, Falkirk South, Grangemouth and Denny, covering remote villages as well as large urban areas. deliver day to day proactive and reactive response. The underlying principle of the teams is Police and Communities Together (PACT). Officers work with the public to set priorities for action Three area commanders ensure that and closely monitor progress against plans. policing delivery is appropriate to each Each community officer has their own web page in which they update area’s priorities, crime is effectively the PACT priorities and use as a channel to communicate developments, managed and have a key role in local appeals and other local news. Visit www.centralscotland.police.uk to find partnerships. out more about policing in your area.

Falkirk Area Command is the largest of the three. Policing challenges includes issues around Grangemouth petrochemical complex and port, a major football stadium, an annual arts and music festival Tackling antisocial which attracts thousands of people and a growing night-time economy. One example of success in tackling youth disorder was behaviour the Stop the Supply initiative in Denny Sub Area Command which saw a voluntary ban Many incidents of antisocial behaviour across the three area commands on the sale of alcohol to under-21s from are dealt with by Fixed Penalty Notice. Across Stirling, Falkirk and off-licences. Clackmannanshire 2122 such fines were issued for offences such as vandalism, breach of the peace, drunk and incapable, urinating and Stirling Area Command welcomes drinking in public. Almost 60 per cent of these fines have been accepted thousands of tourists and students every and paid. A significant benefit of this approach is reducing the amount year, attracted by many historic visitor of time officers and accused people spend at court. sights and natural landmarks such as Loch In total there were 31,567 Group Six and Seven crimes committed last Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. year, involving minor offences and motoring offences. Operation Ironworks was a successful multi-agency operation led by the police to tackle antisocial behaviour in and around the national park area, which involved high visibility patrols and enforcement.

Clackmannanshire Area Command is one Ultraviolet puts drugs of the smallest counties in Scotland but has seen a growth in population thanks to a new rail link opening as well as improved in spotlight access to the road network via the Clackmannanshire Bridge. Key partners, A major drug operation to tackle heroin supply following a number of including the police, joined forces to near-fatal overdoses and deaths over the past year took place across welcome the opening of new court facilities the area commands. to improve the effectiveness and delivery Dealers in Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire were all targeted by of justice in the area. operation Ultraviolet which struck at the heart of the heroin trade.

Full area command crime statistics are Six of those arrested have already been jailed for more than six years available at www.centralscotland.police.uk in total.

 Central Scotland Police Chief Constable’s Annual Report 2008-2009 Stay safe on the roads

Keeping people safe on our roads is a priority. Road Policing officers carried out 184 operations targeting speed, road safety and vehicle safety. Sadly, too many people are still killed or injured on roads throughout the Forth Valley. In the 12 months between As a result, 1981 people were detected using a mobile April 1 2008 and March 31 2009, 15 people, including two phone whilst driving, 2969 were detected not wearing a young people, died; 152 were seriously injured and 700 seatbelt and 12,001 were detected speeding largely by the suffered slight injury as a result of 676 collisions. There Central Scotland Safety Camera Partnership. were a total of 482 drink-drive cases and 19 collisions where drink was involved. Proactive patrols have also targeted key routes where intelligence shows collision are more likely to take place. Although the number of drink-drive cases fell last year by The force worked jointly with , Tayside 14 per cent and collisions involving drink fell by 23 per Police and Northern Constabulary to highlight road safety cent, the issue remains a focus of all officers and staff within road policing and area commands. amongst motorcyclists, who are often involved in road collisions. Road safety officers are involved in educating young people in particular around the risks of the roads. Analysis has Activity by Central Scotland Police and the Central Scotland shown that many young people who are seriously injured Safety Camera Partnership on several key routes has seen are on their way to or from school. a significant reduction in casualties. Preparing for emergency

Central Scotland Police has continued to play a lead role in the Strategic Co-ordinating Group (SCG), which manages the multi-agency response to major incidents or emergencies in line with Civil Contingencies legislation.

In May 2008, an industrial dispute involving fuel tanker drivers led to the SCG meeting regularly to discuss the potential impact of strike action on petrol and diesel supplies. Close liaison was maintained between SCG partners and , as well as with industry.

More recently the SCG met to discuss the management of swine flu in orthF Valley.

Central Scotland Police Chief Constable’s Annual Report 2008-2009  People at the forefront of success

The success of Central Scotland Police the award of the Healthy Working A number of reviews were carried is achieved by the people who work Lives gold standard. Road safety out last year to achieve the best for the force. officer Elaine Smith was also possible operational structure for recognised for her work in the the organisation to ensure the During the year, almost 40 new community receiving an MBE in the best possible delivery of service police officer recruits and transferees Queen’s Birthday Honours. to the public. These focused on were taken on through existing reviewing senior ranks, staff routes and via additional funding Workforce modernisation and our pilot roles and responsibilities and Crime Management Services. from Scottish Government. At the scheme involving civilian investigators The restructuring process will see same time a number of posts across working with police officers to approximately 20 officers returned the organisation were civilianised in improve the quality of service to the to frontline roles within response order to allow police officers to be public was recognised by a COSLA policing, community policing and deployed in frontline roles. This has Excellence award in February. tackling serious organised crime. meant a busy year for staff involved in recruitment, training and learning and development units within Human Resources.

The force was recognised externally last year in several key areas involving the management of staff. The way we develop our staff and their careers was marked with success at the Falkirk Herald Business Awards. Efforts to reduce absence and provide a positive working environment for staff saw

Professional Diversity standards

The communities of Central Scotland are becoming We are committed to ensuring we police to the highest more diverse – presenting the force with more possible standard. challenges to meet. Over the year the force received 159 on-duty complaints Diversity in the workplace and in the community containing 276 allegations, an increase of 30 cases and 48 underpins the work of the force. allegations.

All complaints are the subject of scrutiny, action and In January, the force published its first combined organisational learning under the direction of the Deputy equality strategy. It focuses on all six strands Chief Constable and the remit of the Professional and of diversity – age, gender, disability, sexual Service Standards Strategic Group. orientation, race and faith. The number of on-duty complaints which are substantiated It outlines the force’s commitment to ensuring remains very low. Of the 228 on-duty allegations our services are accessible and fair to everyone concluded in 2008-2009, 37 or 16 per cent were found to and a detailed action plan is in place to ensure we be substantiated. deliver on this important issue. A full breakdown of Professional Standards statistics can be found at www.centralscotland.police.uk

 Central Scotland Police Chief Constable’s Annual Report 2008-2009 Service Response Measure 2008-2009 2007-2008 Outcomes Complaints per 10k. pop. 14.2 10.8 Complaint allegations 276 228 Service complaints per 10k pop. 2.84 1.94 Service user satisfaction (initial contact) 95% 89% Service user satisfaction (overall contact) 90% 85% General satisfaction with force performance 92% 87%

The Scottish Policing Performance Activities Emergency calls attended within target 92% 89% Ave. emergency call attendance time (minutes) 7 9 Framework (SPPF) is the mechanism through which policing Inputs Expenditure on call management (£k.) £1,169 £1,493 performance is measured, reported Context Emergency calls per 10k. pop. 1046 1158 Non-emergency calls per 10k. pop. 10,460 11,110 and managed in Scotland. Total number of incidents per 10k. pop 3879 4135 Number of sudden death incidents 488 506 It aims to provide accountability at Number of missing person incidents 957 1025 local and national levels through the publication of consistent Public Reassurance & Community Safety and transparent performance Measure 2008-2009 2007-2008 information across four key Outcomes Recorded crime groups 1-7 See pages 4 & 5 of report People killed/seriously injured in road accidents 167 161 objectives: Service Response; Children killed/seriously injured in road accidents 22 10 Public Reassurance and Community MAPPA offenders re-offending/breaching conditions 13 No data Safety; Criminal Justice and Racist incidents 378 336 Racist crimes (incl. detection rate) 355/76% 339/78% Tackling Crime; and Sound Activities Class A drug supply offences 284 302 Governance and Efficiency. Class A drug seizures (weight grams) 15,116 3,765 Class A drug seizures (tabs/doses) 9 18,997 Where applicable the force aims Class A drug seizures (ml) 0 118 for continuous improvement Inputs Expenditure on crime management (£k.) £23,200 £22,243 across these areas. Further details Expenditure on community safety (£k.) £13,776 £14,350 regarding the framework is available Expenditure on public order (£k.) £1,986 £1,813 Expenditure on traffic management (£k.) £2,953 £4,268 at www.centralscotland.police.uk Number of Special Constables 100 118 Number of Special Constables duty hours 18,128 18,889

Context Number of registered sex offenders in community 166 169 Number of domestic violence incidents per 10k. pop 126 114 Budget spends Number of persons taken into police custody 13,249 13,299 Criminal Justice & Tackling Crime The figures provided are the forecast figures for year 2008-2009 and are Measure 2008-2009 2007-2008 Outcomes Outcomes in this area are heavily reliant on other partners and as such Central subject to audit. They provide a Scotland Police has no specific data in this section. generally accurate account of how Activities Standard Police Reports to in 28 days 86% 84% Central Scotland Police used its Standard Police Reports to SCRA in 14 days 83% 82% resources. Revenue expenditure Standard Police Reports marked “no proceedings” 11% 18% covers the routine costs of the force Fixed Penalty Notices issued 2,391 1,583 Formal adult police warnings 680 559 and capital expenditure provides the Restorative justice warnings 438 422 physical assets which support the provision of a policing service. Sound Governance & Efficiency Measure 2008-2009 2007-2008 REVENUE EXPENDITURE Outcomes Value of efficiency savings - cashable No Data 2% Category £000 Value of efficiency savings - non-cashable No Data 0% Call Management 2,261 Activities Number of police officers (Full Time Equivalent) 843.3 833.2 Common Police Services (47) Number of police staff (FTE) 336.9 353 Community Safety 14,338 Sickness absence (police officers) 3.6% 3.5% Corporate & Democratic Core 68 Sickness absence (police staff) 4.3% 4.3% Crime Management 21,771 Police Pensions 10,000 Inputs Expenditure on salaries (£k.) £55,446 £52,487 Ratio of female officers 26% 25% Public Order 2,539 Ratio of male officers 74% 75% Traffic Management 2,820 Ratio of female police staff 68% 64% Discontinued Operations 9 Ratio of male police staff 32% 36% TOTAL 53,758 Ratio of police officers from minority ethnic groups 0.6% 0.7% Ratio of police staff from minority ethnic groups 0.3% 0.0% CAPITAL EXPENDITURE Ratio of police officers less than 5 years service 31% 32% Category £000 Ratio of police officers more than 26 years service 11% 12% Vehicles 461 Expenditure per resident £192 £185 Number of Freedom of Information requests 450 386 Buildings 617 Number of Freedom of Information questions 1580 1270 Information & Communication Technology 162 Strategic Review Equipment 196 Key Green = reduced demand or improved performance Amber = neutral TOTAL 1,436 Red = increased demand or decreased performance Design by The Write People, Stirling Tel: 01786 445022 Stirling Tel: People, Design by The Write

Police HQ, Randolphfield, Stirling FK8 2HD

Tel: 01786 456000

Web: www.centralscotland.police.uk

Requests for this information in other formats can be made by contacting our Diversity and Equality staff on 01786 456763 or 01786 456764