PC Steven Graham and PC Gary Martin are based at Balfron Police Office and can be contacted on 101 or at ForthEndrickCPT@scotland.pnn.police.uk. It is recommended that this email address is used by the local community for email contact.
We cover all of the 13 villages that are contained within this large area, from Gargunnock all the way beyond Strathblane, and everywhere in between. It is large, but also a very beautiful and picturesque area.
There is a Community Council in almost every village, and we attempt to attend all the monthly meetings where possible, so if there is any issue that requires our attention you can speak to us there also if required.
Social Media
Please remember that we regularly publish useful information and updates on social media, including appeals for information, updates about road closures and crime prevention advice. Our Facebook and Twitter pages can be found at
www.facebook.com/forthvalleypolicedivision
http://www.facebook.com/policescotland
http://www.twitter.com/policescotland
The current ward priorities for the Forth and Endrick area are Antisocial Behaviour, Road Safety, Theft and Community Engagement and Reassurance. The following is a summary of local policing activity since the last edition of The Bugle.
SHEEP WORRYING
This time of year, presents the problem of sheep worrying. Dog owners are being warned their animal could be killed if it is found to be in the presence of sheep, even if it has not physically attacked them or chased them.
A dog attacking, chasing, or even being at large in a field where sheep are kept, can lead to significant injury and often leads to the sheep being killed or destroyed. Such attacks have a financial and emotional impact on the farmer, cause immense suffering to the animals, and are avoidable if dog owners follow some simple steps.
The vast majority of livestock- worrying incidents involve sheep and can occur when a dog attacks, chases or, in the case of sheep, is at large (not on a lead or otherwise under close control) in a field where livestock is kept. The effects of a dog attack are evident and cannot be overstated, but significant damage can also be caused by a dog simply being present in a field. Pregnant ewes can abort their lambs or lambs can be separated from their mothers.
The advice to dog owners who live in rural areas, or anyone walking and exercising their dogs in the countryside, is to ensure they are under control at all times and avoid going into fields where livestock is grazing. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code says dogs shouldn’t be taken into fields where there are lambs or other young farm animals.
Door Step Crime
Doorstep Crime affects some of the most vulnerable within our communities. It manifests in many forms including online and telephone scams, exploitation by persons known to the victim and the fraudulent activities of unscrupulous persons purporting to be bona fide tradespeople.
A victim’s quality of life can deteriorate significantly after such an incident and they be can placed at risk of repeat victimisation.
Police Scotland’s National Doorstep Crime Initiative has achieved significant results with regard to the detection of crime. It has been driven by effective partnership-working which has resulted in a greater awareness of the issue.
In the village at the start of the year, there was a report of suspicious persons selling items around various residential premises in the village. Police attended immediately and traced the males. No crimes were committed on this occasion; however, these persons were advised in relation to their type of sales pitch and they left the area.
We welcome all calls of this nature as some can be more serious and are of a criminal nature. We urge everyone to report any suspicious activity or persons and these incidents will be dealt with accordingly.
Road Safety
The Central Scotland Safety Camera Partnership have continued to perform speed enforcement in and around the A811. This is obviously a massive asset to this area in Police Scotland’s management of speeding on this road.
Theft
There have been no incidents of theft in the Kippen area since the last article, however local residents are reminded of the importance of being vigilant and reporting any suspicious activity to Police no matter how trivial it may seem. When we receive these reports, they are investigated, and the appropriate action taken. Such reports are always encouraged and welcomed.
We have had a relatively calm start to 2019 but as the days get longer things will doubtless pick up.
As long as we work together and remain vigilant, we are confident that crime will remain low and the roads will stay safe.
The Wee Vine 