Festive Message
I would like to take this opportunity to wish you a Merry Christmas and I hope you have a Happy New Year.
Police officers across Perth & Kinross are preparing for the festive celebrations and I want everyone to have a safe and happy start to the New Year!
At this time of year, the weather can be very cold, so keep warm and make sure you are appropriately dressed for the conditions.
It is important to stay together with friends when you are out having a good time socialising. Remember to take your mobile phone with you, making sure that it is fully charged, so that you can keep in contact.
Whilst you will want to have fun, be sensible about how much you drink, don’t leave drinks unattended and pace yourself.
Don’t use drugs or be tempted to take New Psychoactive Substances, sometimes misleadingly called ‘legal highs’. Legal doesn’t mean safe, as they can contain toxic or harmful chemicals and can be very dangerous.
I would also advise that if you are going out to spend time with family and friends, make suitable travel arrangements and plan your journey. Ensure you are mindful of the drink-drive limit – don’t put yourself or others at risk by driving your vehicle after drinking alcohol. Please arrange alternative transport to get to and from your destinations.
Wherever you are celebrating the New Year, I ask that you look after each other, have a fantastic time and make sure you get home safely.
As we are approaching what will no doubt be a busy time for us all I would like to advise you the Commanders Bulletin will be taking a break until the New Year. The next issue will be 04/01/2023.
 |
After Dark
Housebreaking to domestic properties can be a traumatic experience for the victim. Police Scotland are pro-actively targeting criminals who carry out these crimes. Although Housebreaking can occur at any time of the year, seasonal issues should be taken into consideration. During the winter months, houses can give the appearance of being empty due to lack of lights etc.
Other seasonal considerations are Chinese New year, and religious festivals such as Ramadan/Eid. Homes occupied by families celebrating such festivals can be particularly vulnerable and are often targeted by criminals, who will seek to acquire gold/jewellery/foreign currency stored within.
The risk in all circumstances can be greatly reduced with the use of Crime Prevention measures, they will greatly reduce both the chances of your home becoming a target and the payoff to any person(s) responsible, as outlined below.
Personal Safe/Security Boxes
The most important message we can give is not to keep valuables at home if possible, particularly gold/jewellery/currency, as it is known that bedrooms and lofts are routinely searched during the commission of this type of crime, particularly if the occupants are celebrating a cultural festival. If a storage facility can be provided by your bank or building society then this is the best option. There are private companies who offer similar services. If this option is unavailable an insurance rated safe should be considered comparable with or greater than the value of the contents. Safes should be installed as per the manufacturer’s guidelines and securely attached to the fabric of the building, not to a plasterboard wall, for example. Ideally have an insurance approved installer fit a safe in your home.
Alarm Systems
An approved monitored alarm system is recommended as an audible only alarm does not always guarantee police attendance. An audible only alarm, however, is still an effective visual deterrent. All alarm systems must be kept in good order to remain effective. If investing in an alarm system, look for companies that are linked to accredited bodies such as National Security Inspectorate (NSI or formerly NACOSS) or Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB) and all alarm systems should comply with British Standards PD6662
Lighting
Good lighting around the outside your home is an important security feature, we recommend detector lighting which will draw attention to persons being illuminated that can be seen by neighbouring properties/passers-by. This increases the opportunity of criminals being seen around your home or garden. If you already have existing lighting make sure it is working properly and change any faulty lightbulbs.
Windows/Doors
Many people focus on securing their front doors and forget about their windows and secondary doors in their homes. Do not leave any opportunity for a thief to enter. Always remove the key from a lock, particularly where there is glazing nearby. If considering new windows and or doors consider purchasing products tested to ‘Secured by Design’ accreditation or PAS 024 2016. All glazing within doors or immediately adjacent to doors should have at least one pane (inner or outer) fitted with laminated glass to P1A standard. Alternatively a less expensive method of increasing glazing security is by installing security window film, various options can be found online.
Internal Lighting
Proper use of timer switches for your home gives the impression that someone is at home. Consider placing timers in different rooms which activate at different times to add to the impression that someone is home. Leaving a radio on or buying a TV simulator light also adds to the impression that someone is at home.
General Maintenance
Never leave tools or items that can be used by a thief to break a window, or gain entry through a door, lying around the garden. Ensure shed security is to an appropriate level as thieves will often target these first. Keep garden planting well maintained as if overgrown, it could prevent neighbours seeing into your garden, allowing the thief to go about their business unseen.
Social Media
Carefully consider what you are putting on social media, especially if you are going on holiday or attending weddings, functions or posting pictures with jewellery on full show. Your phone and social media accounts should be set to friends only and ensure that your GPS location is switched off.
Unusual Activity
Report any unusual activity to Police, either by phone (101) in person or at a police office i.e. people offering work in the area, cards being posted through the door offering to carry out work. Criminals can use this as a method of identifying potential targets and by reporting this information to the police, it may help us identify groups or individuals who may be involved.
CCTV
Can be an expensive security measure and consideration must be given to compliance with Data Protection legislation. Domestic CCTV does not need to be registered with the Information Commissioners Office. Always seek advice from an approved supplier before installing a system. There are various other options available.
Property Marking/Insurance
Consider property marking items with either an ultra violet pen (House number and Post Code) or other property making products (see below link to Secured By Design Website). Check you have adequate insurance coverage for valuable items and every year or two ensure that you check with your insurer that cover still protects the amount of your valuables. Photograph and keep an inventory of your valuables as a record for yourself and to assist in any insurance claim. Smaller items such as jewellery should be photographed next to a ruler to give scale. This will assist police in identifying any items recovered.
 |
We recognise the importance of understanding the views and priorities of Scotland’s diverse communities. This survey is a platform for you to tell us your views and experience of your police service. Responses are analysed weekly to help shape how we do things.
It’s a way for us to listen to the needs of our diverse communities. Let us know what we’re getting right and what we can do better.
The survey is completely anonymous. You will not be personally identified through the information you provide.
Click the link below to complete the survey.
Please contact us if you require the survey in an alternative format: InsightEngagement@scotland.pnn.police.uk.
UPDATES
A 42 year old man will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal for possession of a Class A drug after he was found to have cocaine valued at £80 during a stop and search in St Andrew Street, Perth on Wednesday 7th December.
A 29 year old man has been arrested for assault with intent to rob in Main Street, Perth on Sunday 11th December.
A 33 year old man was arrested for possession of cannabis with intent to supply in Murray Street, Perth on Monday 12th December.
2 men aged 19 & 21 were issued with recorded police warnings for stealing a quantity of tools from a business premises at Lochty Industrial Estate, Almondbank on Wednesday 7th December. All of the stolen property was recovered.
An 18 year old man was arrested for driving under the influence of drugs after a 1 vehicle road traffic collision on the M90 near Kinross on Thursday 8th December. He also had no insurance.
A 23 year old woman was arrested for drink driving on the A94 near Balbeggie on Saturday 10th December.
During the last week 6 drivers have been found to be without insurance, 1 had no licence and 1 had no MOT.
RECENT INCIDENTS
About 6pm, Wednesday 7th December, a silver Audi A1 was stolen from Almond View, Perth. (CR/118666/22)
Between 9:45am, Friday 9th and 3:45pm, Monday 12th December, cash and jewellery were stolen during a break in to a property in Dundee Road, Perth. (CR/120247/22)
Between 5pm, Wednesday 7th and 6:30am, Thursday 8th December, a catalytic convertor was stolen from a silver Peugeot Boxer, parked in Millbridge, Kinross.
Between 9pm, Saturday 10th and 9pm, Sunday 11th December, 2 tyres were slashed on a Vauxhall Astra, parked in Rossie Place, Auchterarder. During the same time a Vauxhall Corsa had 3 of its tyres slashed in Elmvale, Auchterarder. (CR/119744/22)
About 5pm, Sunday 11th December, small stones were thrown at a window in Glenisla Court, Rattray causing damage. (CR/119999/22)
Between 4pm, Saturday 10th and 7am, Sunday 11th December, a Vauxhall Corsa had 2 tyres damaged whilst parked in Shielhill Place, Stanley. (CR/120483/22)
Anyone with any information that may be useful should contact Tayside Division on 101 or any police officer, quoting the crime reference number listed at each incident. Alternatively information can be passed anonymously via the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Regards,
Tom Leonard, Chief Inspector
Local Area Commander, Perth and Kinross