POLICE in Helensburgh could soon be equipped with tasers after the area’s top officer confirmed that training on using the devices is due to begin.

Inspector Roddy MacNeill has said in a report to local councillors that a ‘Taser hub’ has now been established at Helensburgh's police station, and that officer training is scheduled for “later this month”.

It is then expected that the devices will be made available to officers when needed.

Inspector MacNeill says he is also encouraged by the response to a scheme in Arrochar to place anti-speeding stickers on wheelie bins in the village, with a similar programme now planned for Garelochhead.

His latest report on local policing activities will go before Argyll and Bute Council’s Helensburgh and Lomond area committee at its virtual meeting on Thursday, September 16.

The inspector said: “Taser hub at Helensburgh [is] now complete and officer training commences later this month, leading to daily deployment.

“Speeding as always is on the radar, [there are] various ‘hot spots’ around the sub division that we, assisted by our traffic department colleagues, are addressing to the best of our ability.

“As mentioned previously, my wheelie bin stickers in Arrochar are now in place and have been well received and are giving a good visual deterrent in an attempt to influence driver behaviour. I am going to do likewise in Garelochhead as soon as the stickers are available."

The report also reveals plans for a meeting between police and council officials to discuss the management of the A82, A83 and A814 during times when road closures are in place. 

For many years, and despite the presence of warning signs, losures of the A82 along Loch Lomondside have led to large vehicles trying to use the single-track A814 between Arrochar and Whistlefield as a diversion - often leaving that route partly or wholly blocked.

 

The inspector continued: “Recent serious road traffic collisions on the A82 have resulted in long tailbacks and delays and we have had some larger vehicles attempting to use the A814.

“We will look at signage, communications, general roads management etc. It is not an exact science as [it is a] variable issue depending on location, time, volume and weather.”

Inspector MacNeill added that a resourcing request for the COP26 event, in Glasgow in November, is at “an advanced stage”.

He also gave details of the Herbert Protocol, which is being introduced in Argyll and West Dunbartonshire to allow relatives of dementia sufferers to log relevant information about the patient.

He said: “It will include places frequented, medication required, general routines, description, recent photograph and past memories that may be relevant.

“It is intended to speed up the initial enquiry when someone is reported missing. It will negate the possibility of important information being missed or omitted by family when they may be in a state of upset reporting someone missing.”