On patrol to keep streets crime-free

Published 18 Mar 2010 12:35

HELENSBURGH and Lomond is one of the safest places to live in Strathclyde - and the area's new police Inspector intends to keep it that way.

Inspector Mark Lundie has recently taken control at Helensburgh police station and has already made some changes to the way the town is policed.

He said: "Helensburgh and Lomond doesn't have a high crime rate and all the facts show Helensburgh to be a very good place to live, work and socialise.

"There are 134 ward areas in Strathclyde and the three areas of Helensburgh and Lomond are up there at the top of all of them for being amongst the safest places to live, falling into the top category of 'at least five per cent safer than average'."

The area is, however, near the bottom of one list and Inspector Lundie is very happy about that - it is the list for reported crimes of violence and vandalism.

A recent public consultation exercise showed that in Helensburgh itself, people are most concerned about drunk and disorderly behaviour with the threat of assault and violent crime coming next and drug use and drug dealing third on the list of concerns.

And to help allay the fears of local residents and business owners, Inspector Lundie has allocated the town centre its own beat officer who will be providing high visibility patrols of the area.

PC Gus Donald has spent the past few weeks visiting every town centre business to get to know the owners and hearing from them their main concerns, and he will continue to make regular contact with them all.

And Gus will be also be familiarising himself with any "hot spots" for disorderly behaviour and will be keeping a close eye on what is happening on a daily basis in and around the town centre.

And it is hoped that the pub radio system which operates in the town may be extended to include shops as well allowing shop owners to warn each other of potential trouble makers or shop lifters and to make it even easier for them to contact Gus.

The equivalent role in the Cardross area will be performed by PC Steven Ballantyne who has also been making himself known in his area and establishing a rapport with the local people and businesses.

Working with Inspector Lundie at the Helensburgh Police office is Sergeant Stephen Gray very experienced and committed officer who will be co-ordinating efforts in the Helensburgh and Cardross area while the Lomond North area will continue to be policed by Sergeant Andy Riddoch and his team.

The Inspector said: "It is important that people are not only safe but that they feel safe and in Helensburgh and Lomond the fears are perhaps higher than the actual crime figures warrant. We want to change that."

As well as the high visibility patrols in and around the town and villages Helensburgh police station will be providing security advice to anyone who wants it and will be happy to talk to schools, businesses and individuals about matters which concern them and to offer advice on such things as home and boat security.

They also hope to encourage an expansion of the Neighbourhood Watch system and will work closely with the Crime Prevention Panel, which Gus is the secretary of, and with the local councillors.

Inspector Lundie is also an architectural liaison officer and trained to offer advice to architects, planners, building firms and individuals on how to design crime out of their new build projects.

Trained police officers will work the developers or designers to spot potential areas of concern such as places security cameras can't see, dark corners and "natural ladders" and design them out before they are built.

Buildings which are put up using such advice are given "Secured by Design" status and the developer can use the relevant logo.

Inspector Lundie will also visit existing premises and offer advice on how to make a building more secure, advice which may be as simple as cutting down shrubbery close to the building or adding more lights to a dark car park.

The officers are also keen to encourage more people to come forward to be special constables and to join the 50 or so strong team that is already working to keep Helensburgh and Lomond as one of the best places to live in Scotland.

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