Category: Police Report

Community Engagement and Reassurance

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.

I think Kippen is an absolutely beautiful place.  I do know it fairly well as I spent a lot of time in the village in my 20s, many moons ago!  I would regularly spend my weekends in The Skinner’s Butchers helping out Cameron and his father Roy.  The shop was always absolutely spotless but Cameron was not a great fan of cleaning the trays so I would help through the back of the shop.  It took me a few months to realise though, as I was up to my neck in washing up liquid, Cameron would be out the front of the shop chatting to anyone that would listen to him, he did like a blether!  Back then it felt like a very close community and now when I attend the Community Council meetings and just being back in the village in a Police capacity it still feels the same today.

It has been a fairly quiet few months in the village through the winter months which is good news for villagers and Police alike.

THEFT

The summer months saw an increase in housebreakings and thefts in the Forth and Endrick area however fortunately Kippen was probably the least affected by these incidents.

Enquiries in relation to these crimes are still ongoing with several positive lines of enquiry and persons have been identified as being responsible for numerous crimes.

Look out for your neighbours!!  On many occasions’ housebreakers are immediately apprehended due to a neighbour acting quickly in relation to something they may have witnessed from their address.  There is no issue if anyone contacts Police and it turns out to be a false alarm.  Also, if you do see a crime being committed, contact us on 999, it is quicker than the 101.  All incidents in relation to suspicious persons or vehicles are welcomed and Police will attend to all these incidents immediately.  We urge people to remain vigilant and report anything suspicious.

As the evenings are darker earlier at this time of year please consider the following:

• Use timer switches on lights and radios to make it look as if your home is occupied.
• Ensure all doors and windows are secure when you leave and when you go to bed.
• If possible, use secure lighting at the front and back of your property.
• Make sure all garden tools and ladders are locked away when not being used. Don’t give the thieves the tools to break into your house.
• Use a good quality lock on any garden sheds and outhouses.
• Make a note of all makes, models and serial numbers of expensive items in your home.
• If your house is fitted with an alarm then please use it. This is a good deterrent should thieves manage to force entry to your house.

There are guides on the Police Scotland website giving other ideas to protect property in rural areas:

https://www.scotland.police.uk/keep-safe/home-and-personal-property/rural-crime

It is also of note that there was a recent theft of a motor vehicle from a village in the area whereby it would appear the perpetrators have placed wire or similar through the letter box and removed the keys from within. Please bear that in mind when leaving keys around the house.

Road Safety

There has been heavy rain and windy conditions in recent weeks in the Forth and Endrick area making driving conditions extremely hazardous.  On the A811 just outside Kippen, a lorry was even blown over into a ditch due to the extremely high winds.  Fortunately, no injuries were sustained, and no other vehicle was involved.

The Central Scotland Safety Camera Partnership have continued to operate on the A811 near to Kippen on an almost daily basis. There have been several drivers reported to the Procurator Fiscal in Stirling in relation to speeding since the last edition.

ADVICE FOR DRIVERS:

Prepare for the winter by keeping your vehicle well maintained before you take to the road.

Take special care that brakes, tyres, lights, batteries, windscreens and wiper blades are in good condition. In addition, washer bottles need to contain an additive to stop the water from freezing.

Tyres should also be checked weekly to ensure they are legal and at the correct pressure (consult your vehicle handbook). The minimum legal tread depth for cars is 1.6mm across the centre 3/4 of the breadth of the tread around the entire circumference. They should also be checked for bulges, cuts or tears which weaken the tyre. Failure to maintain your tyres could lead to a maximum of £2,500 fine and 3 penalty points per tyre.

Consider keeping an emergency kit in your car for severe weather, this should at least include:

• An ice scraper and de-icer, shovel for snow, torch and spare batteries, warm clothes, boots and a blanket, some food and a warm drink in a flask, first aid kit, battery jump leads, map or device with offline maps for any unplanned diversions.

Be mindful of the road conditions when you drive; bad weather is often blamed for causing accidents however the real cause is often inappropriate driving for the conditions that exist.

Stay safe and please take note of any weather or travel warnings we post on social media.  Sites that provide good information in relation to this are @StirlingPol, @polscoccontrol and @trafficscotland on Twitter.  Updates are also posted on Facebook under ‘Forth Valley Police Division’

Any issues, staff are on duty 24 hours a day at Balfron, 7 days a week and we look forward to speaking with you when we are out and about.

PC335 Gary Martin

Balfron Police Office

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Police Report

Community Engagement and Reassurance

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.

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:

http://www.facebook.com/forthvalleypolicedivision

http://www.facebook.com/policescotland

http://www.twitter.com/stirlingpol

http://www.twitter.com/policescotland

Theft

There was a Theft by HB at a local licenced premises with a quantity of food stolen from the kitchen. Although no other thefts reported in the Kippen area, there has recently been Theft by Housebreakings reported in some of the villages in the Forth and Endrick area.  We remind residents to be ever vigilant and contact the Police should anyone see anything suspicious.

The earlier dark nights will be here soon so please remember to follow basic home security rules and help to make it harder for the thieves.

Please consider the following:

Use timer switches on lights and radios to make it look as if your home is occupied.

Ensure all doors and windows are secure when you leave and when you go to bed.

If possible use secure lighting at the front and back of your property.

Make sure all garden tools and ladders are locked away when not being used. Don’t give the     thieves the tools to break into your house.

Use a good quality lock on any garden sheds and outhouses.

Make a note of all makes, models and serial numbers of expensive items in your home.

If your house is fitted with an alarm then please use it. This is a good deterrent should thieves manage to force entry to your house.

Create a FREE and secure inventory of all your personal property at http://www.immobilise.com

If you note anything suspicious in your neighbourhood report it on 101.

We appreciate any calls in relation to suspicious persons or vehicles.  Please do not hesitate to contact us if you observe anything suspicious as these types of reports are taken very seriously and your report may assist us with any ongoing enquiries. We have received a couple of these type of calls recently in Kippen which were investigated however no vehicle details were obtained and there was no trace on Police arrival.

There are guides on the Police Scotland website giving other ideas to protect property in rural areas:

https://www.scotland.police.uk/keep-safe/home-and-personal-property/rural-crime

Road Safety

The Central Scotland Safety Camera Partnership have continued to operate on the A811 near to Kippen. Notable speeds drivers have been caught doing are 94, 95 and 105 mph.

Local officers have and will continue to carry out high visibility patrols to improve road safety.

With the summer over, road conditions will be deteriorating in next wee while.  Please check and maintain your vehicle for road worthiness.

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

www.twitter.com/stirlingpol

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.

Since the last edition PC Scott Craigie has left the post as a Ward officer, however he remains in the area as a Response officer. PC Steven Graham returns to the post and works alongside PC Gary Martin, who is new to the area.

PC Steven Graham and PC Gary Martin are based at Balfron Police Office and can be contacted 101 or at ForthEndrickCPT@scotland.pnn.police.uk. It is recommended that this email address is used by the local community for email contact

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

www.facebook.com/policescotland

www.twitter.com/stirlingpol

www.twitter.com/policescotland

The current ward priorities for the Forth and Endrick area continue to be Antisocial Behaviour, Road Safety, Theft and Community Engagement and Reassurance.

 

Antisocial Behaviour

There have been a couple of minor reports of antisocial behaviour within the village since the last issue. No one was arrested as a result of these incidents.

Road Safety

The camera unit has continued to perform speed enforcement and hi-visibility patrols in and around Kippen, resulting in a number of motorists being prosecuted. This includes one vehicle travelling at a speed of 97mph along the A811. Regular such patrols and checks will continue in an effort to improve road safety and driver behaviour.

There have been a number of reports regarding animals on the A811. Please bear this in mind on your travels as, due to the speed of the road, striking one can have fatal consequences.

One driver was reported for drink driving. Be careful when enjoying the festivities as many people have been caught still over the limit the morning after the night before.

Please check and maintain your vehicle for road worthiness. The winter weather causes roads and driving conditions to be hazardous. This includes ensuring that vehicle windscreens are defrosted, and you have a full view of the road ahead prior to driving off. On that note, please do not defrost the windscreen by leaving your engine running unattended on the road or driveway

 

Theft

In the last few months in other villages in the Forth and Endrick area there have been a number of commercial housebreakings. More recently, although not in the Kippen area, some domestic housebreakings have occurred so please see below message and please report anything you feel suspicious to the Police.

Police Message to Local Residents

Recently the clocks went back an hour to mark the end of British Summer time. This also marks the start of the darker nights which can make it easier for thieves to target your property if they can see that nobody is home. We need your help to make it make it harder for the thieves so please consider the following:

• Use timer switches on lights and radios to make it look as if your home is occupied.
• Ensure all doors and windows are secure when you leave and when you go to bed.
• If possible, use secure lighting at the front and back of your property.
• Make sure all garden tools and ladders are locked away when not being used. Don’t give the  thieves the tools to break into your house.
• Use a good quality lock on any garden sheds and outhouses.
• Make a note of all makes, models and serial numbers of expensive items in your home.
• create a FREE and secure inventory of all your personal property at http://www.immobilise.com
• If you note anything suspicious in your neighbourhood report it on 101.

If anyone would like further crime prevention advice, please contact PC Gary Martin or PC Steven Graham who will be happy to assist

POLICE SCOTLAND – YOUTH HUB

Police Scotland has launched its first dedicated internet page and social media channel dedicated to the children and young people of Scotland. The new platforms are a result of feedback from national consultation with young people, who requested better access to information and modern ways to communicate with Police.

The new resources will help promote Children’s Rights by providing young people with easier access to educational resources and space to voice their views on platforms recognised and commonly used by them in modern society. The Children and Young People team aim to provide safety and prevention messages that will ultimately help young people make better life choices and minimise potential risks to themselves and others. Any content being published will be structured to avoid corporate messages and be more appealing to the desired age groups.

To view the internet page, go to http://www.scotland.police.uk/youth-hub and the new Facebook channel can be found at http://www.facebook.com/Police Scotland–Youth Hub.

 

 

 

 

Police Report

 PC Scott Craigie is the Police Scotland Ward Officer for the Forth and Endrick area, which incorporates Kippen and surrounding areas. They are based at Balfron Police Office, and can be contacted at the office, on 101 or at ForthEndrickCPT@scotland.pnn.police.uk.

He regularly publishes information and appeals online. The local Twitter feed can be found at @StirlingPol, and the local Facebook page can be found at ‘Forth Valley Police Division’.

The current ward priorities for the Forth and Endrick area continue to be Antisocial Behaviour, Road Safety, Theft and Community Engagement and Reassurance.

  

Antisocial Behaviour

There has been no antisocial behaviour of note within the village since the last issue.

 

Road Safety

Since the last edition of The Wee Vine, the Central Scotland Safety Camera Partnership and Police Scotland have continued to perform speed enforcement and hi-visibility patrols in and around Kippen, resulting in a number of motorists being prosecuted where appropriate. Regular such patrols and checks will continue in an effort to improve road safety and driver behaviour.

 

 Theft

There has been a theft by housebreaking, a theft and an attempt made to steal a vehicle in the village since the last issue. There have been a number of housebreakings, vehicle thefts and attempted vehicle thefts in the area surrounding the village.  This problem is not confined to Stirlingshire, but is an ongoing issue in East and West Dunbartonshire as well. A positive line of enquiry has been established.  I would ask that readers remain vigilant and report any suspicious persons or activity to the police.

 

Rural Watch Scotland

“‘Rural Watch Scotland’ is an extension of the Neighbourhood Watch Scotland movement and endorsed by  the Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime (SPARC) and Forth valley Rural Crime Group aimed specifically at the rural communities of Scotland and aims to bring all the benefits of Neighbourhood Watch to all rural communities irrespective of location, size or demographics.

Rural watch is an online community for any member of the public where appeals, crime prevention tips and safety alerts can be posted by those who subscribe which can be viewed by all members. Subscription is free and the sharing of information on the forum is a great example of real time crime prevention in action.

The objectives of Rural Watch Scotland are to:

• Reduce crime and the fear of crime by providing the right information, to the right people, at the right time.
• Encourage people to think about safety and security for themselves, their neighbours and their community.
• Improve community cohesion and well-being by supporting communities to develop ‘their watch, their way’.
• Work in partnership with national and local service providers to develop more resilient communities that are better prepared against threats, intentional or unintentional, such as crime or extreme weather.

The experience of Neighbourhood Watch throughout Scotland and elsewhere across the world is that members of Rural Watch Scotland will be less likely than non-members in the rural community to be a victim of crime.

By joining the Rural Watch Scotland scheme members can receive alerts and advice by phone, text or email. By keeping members informed about crime and other threats in specific areas, Rural Watch Scotland can help prevent crime, keep communities and residents safe, and member’s responses to these alerts can help catch criminals or be better prepared to deal with other threats to communities. To join Rural Watch Scotland simply:

• Log onto http://www.ruralwatchscotland.co.uk

• Click the green JOIN button at the top of the page.

• Follow the on screen instructions.”

 

Neighbourhood Alert.

This is a community messaging system which sends alerts regarding crime, safety and resilience to communities. Ruralwatch is an information platform that has been set up by what was formerly Neighbourhood Watch, however the big difference being that any members of the local community can sign up to have the relevant alerts sent to them by various means including E-mail or Text message. To receive free alerts simply register at:

http://www.neighbourhoodwatchscotland.co.uk

 

PC Scott Craigie is the Police Scotland Ward Officer for the Forth and Endrick area, which incorporates Kippen and surrounding areas. He is based at Balfron Police Office, and can be contacted at the office, on 101 or at ForthEndrickCPT@scotland.pnn.police.uk .

He regularly publishes information and appeals online. The local Twitter feed can be found at @StirlingPol, and the local Facebook page can be found at ‘Forth Valley Police Division’.

The current ward priorities for the Forth and Endrick area continue to be Antisocial Behaviour, Road Safety, Theft and Community Engagement and Reassurance.

 

Antisocial Behaviour

There has been no antisocial behaviour of note within the village since the last issue.

 

Road Safety

Since the last edition of The Wee Vine, the Central Scotland Safety Camera Partnership and Police Scotland have continued to perform speed enforcement and hi-visibility patrols in and around Kippen, resulting in a number of motorists being prosecuted where appropriate. Regular such patrols and checks will continue in an effort to improve road safety and driver behaviour.

 

 

Theft

There has been a theft by housebreaking in the village and recently there has been an attempted housebreaking at house on the road between Kippen and Fintry therefore would ask members readers to remain vigilant.

 

 

Community Engagement and Reassurance

PC Graham has recently left his role in community policing at Balfron, fortunately he has taken up a role within response policing at Balfron so his knowledge has not been lost.  There is presently an ongoing process to identify a replacement for PC Graham and an officer should be in place by the time of the next issue.

 

Your View Counts

Our online public consultation process ‘Your View Counts’ launched on Friday 4 August. Members of the public are invited to help inform our policing priorities across the country by telling us what’s important to you.

This is the second year we have run the ‘Your View Counts’ consultation. Analysis of survey results, together with crime stats and other community and partnership meetings are used to determine our priorities.

http://www.scotland.police.uk/about-us/decision-making/public-consultation/local-policing-consultation/

The confidential survey only takes 15 minutes to complete and is open all year round meaning that if an individual’s priorities change a survey can be re-submitted.

The response to the consultation process will be continuously monitored and quarterly progress reports will be published on the Police Scotland website and the intranet.

 

Rural Watch Scotland

“‘Rural Watch Scotland’ is an extension of the Neighbourhood Watch Scotland movement and endorsed by  the Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime (SPARC) and Forth valley Rural Crime Group aimed specifically at the rural communities of Scotland and aims to bring all the benefits of Neighbourhood Watch to all rural communities irrespective of location, size or demographics.

Rural watch is an online community for any member of the public where appeals, crime prevention tips and safety alerts can be posted by those who subscribe which can be viewed by all members. Subscription is free and the sharing of information on the forum is a great example of real time crime prevention in action.

The objectives of Rural Watch Scotland are to:

• Reduce crime and the fear of crime by providing the right information, to the right people, at the right time.
• Encourage people to think about safety and security for themselves, their neighbours and their community.
• Improve community cohesion and well-being by supporting communities to develop ‘their watch, their way’.
• Work in partnership with national and local service providers to develop more resilient communities that are better prepared against threats, intentional or unintentional, such as crime or extreme weather.

The experience of Neighbourhood Watch throughout Scotland and elsewhere across the world is that members of Rural Watch Scotland will be less likely than non-members in the rural community to be a victim of crime.

By joining the Rural Watch Scotland scheme members can receive alerts and advice by phone, text or email. By keeping members informed about crime and other threats in specific areas, Rural Watch Scotland can help prevent crime, keep communities and residents safe, and member’s responses to these alerts can help catch criminals or be better prepared to deal with other threats to communities. To join Rural Watch Scotland simply:

• Log onto http://www.ruralwatchscotland.co.uk

• Click the green JOIN button at the top of the page.

• Follow the on screen instructions.”

Neighbourhood Alert.

This is a community messaging system which sends alerts regarding crime, safety and resilience to communities. Ruralwatch is an information platform that has been set up by what was formerly Neighbourhood Watch, however the big difference being that any members of the local community can sign up to have the relevant alerts sent to them by various means including E-mail or Text message. To receive free alerts simply register at:

http://www.neighbourhoodwatchscotland.co.uk

PC Steven Graham and PC Scott Craigie are the Police Scotland Ward Officers for the Forth and Endrick area, which incorporates Kippen and surrounding areas. They are based at Balfron Police Office, and can be contacted at the office, on 101 or at ForthEndrickCPT@scotland.pnn.police.uk.

They regularly publish information and appeals online. The local Twitter feed can be found at @StirlingPol, and the local Facebook page can be found at ‘Forth Valley Police Division’.

The current ward priorities for the Forth and Endrick area continue to be Antisocial Behaviour, Road Safety, Theft and Community Engagement and Reassurance.

 Antisocial Behaviour

Recently, there has been very little antisocial behaviour reported in the Kippen area.

A male was found in possession of cannabis on the road between Kippen and Fintry.

Road Safety

Since the last edition of The Wee Vine, there has been one minor damage road accident where details were exchanged.

The Central Scotland Safety Camera Partnership and Police Scotland have continued to perform speed enforcement and hi-visibility patrols in and around Kippen, resulting in a number of motorists being given advice regarding their vehicle or manner of driving, or prosecuted where appropriate. Regular such patrols and checks will continue in an effort to improve road safety and driver behaviour.

Recently a driver was reported to the PF at Stirling for doing a speed of 93mph.

Theft

There have been no thefts reports in the Kippen area since the last issue of The Wee Vine.

There have been reports of suspicious vehicles in the Kippen area which were investigated however no criminality was evident. These reports are welcomed by Police and each will be investigated accordingly. Suspicious activity can be reported to Police Scotland or CrimeStoppers anonymously,

 Community Engagement and Reassurance

As well as regular high visibility patrols in the area, PC Graham and PC Craigie attempt to regularly visit Kippen to carry out road safety duties, including speed enforcement, assist with local community issues and visit community partners within the Kippen area.  These visits are backed up by our colleagues within Balfron Police Office, who regularly carry out routine patrols within the area.

Your View Counts

Our online public consultation process ‘Your View Counts’ launched on Friday 4 August. Members of the public are invited to help inform our policing priorities across the country by telling us what’s important to you.

This is the second year we have run the ‘Your View Counts’ consultation. Analysis of survey results, together with crime stats and other community and partnership meetings are used to determine our priorities.

http://www.scotland.police.uk/about-us/decision-making/public-consultation/local-policing-consultation/

The confidential survey only takes 15 minutes to complete and is open all year round meaning that if an individual’s priorities change a survey can be re-submitted.

The response to the consultation process will be continuously monitored and quarterly progress reports will be published on the Police Scotland website and the intranet.

Rural Watch Scotland

“‘Rural Watch Scotland’ is an extension of the Neighbourhood Watch Scotland movement and endorsed by  the Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime (SPARC) and Forth valley Rural Crime Group aimed specifically at the rural communities of Scotland and aims to bring all the benefits of Neighbourhood Watch to all rural communities irrespective of location, size or demographics.

Rural watch is an online community for any member of the public where appeals, crime prevention tips and safety alerts can be posted by those who subscribe which can be viewed by all members. Subscription is free and the sharing of information on the forum is a great example of real time crime prevention in action.

The objectives of Rural Watch Scotland are to:

• Reduce crime and the fear of crime by providing the right information, to the right people, at the right time.
• Encourage people to think about safety and security for themselves, their neighbours and their community.
• Improve community cohesion and well-being by supporting communities to develop ‘their watch, their way’.
• Work in partnership with national and local service providers to develop more resilient communities that are better prepared against threats, intentional or unintentional, such as crime or extreme weather.

The experience of Neighbourhood Watch throughout Scotland and elsewhere across the world is that members of Rural Watch Scotland will be less likely than non-members in the rural community to be a victim of crime.

By joining the Rural Watch Scotland scheme members can receive alerts and advice by phone, text or email. By keeping members informed about crime and other threats in specific areas, Rural Watch Scotland can help prevent crime, keep communities and residents safe, and member’s responses to these alerts can help catch criminals or be better prepared to deal with other threats to communities. To join Rural Watch Scotland simply:

• Log onto http://www.ruralwatchscotland.co.uk
• Click the green JOIN button at the top of the page.
• Follow the on screen instructions.”

Neighbourhood Alert.

This is a community messaging system which sends alerts regarding crime, safety and resilience to communities. Rural watch is an information platform that has been set up by what was formerly Neighbourhood Watch, however the big difference being that any members of the local community can sign up to have the relevant alerts sent to them by various means including E-mail or Text message. To receive free alerts simply register at:

http://www.neighbourhoodwatchscotland.co.uk

PC Steven Graham and PC Scott Craigie are the Police Scotland Ward Officers for the Forth and Endrick area, which incorporates Kippen and surrounding areas. They are based at Balfron Police Office, and can be contacted at the office, on 101 or at ForthEndrickCPT@scotland.pnn.police.uk 

They regularly publish information and appeals online. The local Twitter feed can be found at @StirlingPol, and the local Facebook page can be found at ‘Forth Valley Police Division’.

The current ward priorities for the Forth and Endrick area continue to be Antisocial Behaviour, Road Safety, Theft and Community Engagement and Reassurance.

Antisocial Behaviour

Recently, there has been very little antisocial behaviour reported in the Kippen area. Of the few incidents reported to police, all were minor in nature and localised. None of the incidents resulted in prosecution.

Road Safety

Since the last edition of The Wee Vine, there have been several minor road traffic collisions recorded on the roads in and around the Kippen area.

The Central Scotland Safety Camera Partnership and Police Scotland have continued to perform speed enforcement and hi-visibility patrols in and around Kippen, resulting in a number of motorists being given advice regarding their vehicle or manner of driving, or prosecuted where appropriate. Regular such patrols and checks will continue in an effort to improve road safety and driver behaviour.

Theft

There have been no thefts reports in the Kippen area since the last issue of The Wee Vine.

However, local residents are reminded of the importance of being vigilant and reporting any suspicious activity to Police Scotland or CrimeStoppers anonymously, no matter how trivial it may seem.

Community Engagement and Reassurance

As well as regular high visibility patrols in the area, PC Graham and PC Craigie attempt to regularly visit Kippen to carry out road safety duties, including speed enforcement, assist with local community issues and visit community partners within the Kippen area.  These visits are backed up by our colleagues within Balfron Police Office, who regularly carry out routine patrols within the area.

The following is an initiative being run within community policing that we would like to highlight.

DOORSTEP CRIME / BOGUS WORKMEN

What is Doorstep Crime?

Bogus Callers: Will attempt to get into your home or obtain personal details by pretending to be someone they’re not, including:

Council Staff

Meter readers

Charity collectors

Police officers

in reality, they are criminals trying to steal your cash and valuables.

Rogue Traders: Usually cold callers, offering to make repairs or carry out work on your house, garden or driveway.  In reality they charge inflated prices for shoddy or often completely unnecessary work.

We do not recommend dealing with cold callers for property maintenance and repairs to your home and garden areas.

Contact your local council to see if they operate a trusted traders scheme or similar, where you will find a list of accredited trades people.

Below is some useful advice and considerations.

Think:

Be on your guard if someone turns up unexpectedly.

Be aware of methods used by criminals to distract you such as being asked to make a phone call, to use your toilet, for a glass of water, or being asked to check your water or gas supplies.

Do not keep large amounts of money at home.

Does your premises or garden really require work to be carried out.

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Be vigilant for vulnerable neighbours who may fall foul of these criminals.

About calling the police when you see anything suspicious.

Never let someone you don’t know into your house, if you’re not sure don’t answer the door.

What can I do?

SECURE:

Use a door chain or bar: Always put the chain on before answering the door, and keep it on while taking to callers

If you have a door viewer- use it.

Keep rear, side doors and windows secure.

Don’t feel embarrassed- genuine callers expect you to be careful

Ask for identification, whether you expect anyone or not.

Remember- ID’s can be fake and shouldn’t be relied upon.

Don’t assume a caller is genuine because they are wearing a uniform

Obtain a written quote before agreeing to any work

If you have any doubts, tell the caller to come back when someone else is home, genuine callers won’t mind rearranging

IF IN DOUBT KEEP THEM OUT

Don’t feel pressurised into agreeing to immediate work- Never listen to scare stories, beware of traders who suddenly appear after storms or floods and claims of low prices if you sign up immediately.

Don’t agree to buy from the first person who calls- do you really want or need these goods or services

Don’t pay cash up front- never pay for work before it is completed and do not hand over large sums of money

Shop around if you decide you need work done- Get a minimum of three quotes from reputable traders or recommendations from people you trust

Cancellation rights- Any job over £42- traders are required to provide written notice informing the consumer that they have a 14 day cooling off period during which time the consumer can cancel the contract.

Should you require any further information please log onto

http://www.policescotland.co.uk

or contact Police Scotland via 101 or Trading Standards at your local authority on the following numbers

Clackmannanshire Council (01259) 450000

Falkirk Council (01324) 506070

Stirling Council (01786) 404040.

PC Raymond Murphy and PC Steven Graham are the Police Scotland Ward Officers for the Forth and Endrick area, which incorporates Kippen and surrounding areas. They are based at Balfron Police Office, and can be contacted at the office, on 101 or at ForthEndrickCPT@scotland.pnn.police.uk.

They regularly publish information and appeals online. The local Twitter feed can be found at @StirlingPol, and the local Facebook page can be found at ‘Forth Valley Police Division’.

The current ward priorities for the Forth and Endrick area are Antisocial Behaviour, Road Safety, Theft and Community Engagement and Reassurance.

Road Safety

Since the last edition of The Wee Vine, there have been several minor road traffic collisions recorded on the roads in and around the Kippen area. However, one collision on the B822, involving two vehicles, did result in serious injury and as a result, one man was charged with an alleged Careless Driving offence.

One motorist was stopped and charged with numerous alleged road traffic offences, including driving without a Driving Licence or Insurance on the B822 at Kippen, whilst another was stopped and arrested for allegedly Drink Driving on the A811 near to Kippen.

The Central Scotland Safety Camera Partnership and Police Scotland have continued to perform speed enforcement and hi-visibility patrols in and around Kippen, resulting in a number of motorists being given advice regarding their vehicle or manner of driving, or prosecuted where appropriate. Regular such patrols and checks will continue in an effort to improve road safety and driver behaviour.

Recently, a speed of 79mph was recorded on the A811 near to Kippen by the Central Scotland Safety Camera Partnership.

Theft

There have been no thefts reports in the Kippen area since the last issue of The Wee Vine.

However, local residents are reminded of the importance of being vigilant and reporting any suspicious activity to Police Scotland or CrimeStoppers anonymously, no matter how trivial it may seem. Over the past few months, we have received several such reports, and each of these has been investigated and the appropriate action taken. Such reports are always encouraged and welcomed.

Several of the reports received recently have been in relation to possible bogus work being carried out. Local residents are encouraged to look out for each other, and if they have any concerns about work being carried out at the properties of vulnerable neighbours, they should contact Police Scotland or Trading Standards at Stirling Council.

Community Engagement and Reassurance

As well as regularly high visibility patrols in the area by local officers, PC Murphy and PC Graham regularly visit Kippen on routine patrol, carry out road safety duties including speed enforcement, assist with local community issues, visit Kippen Primary School and other local businesses and attend Kippen Community Council meetings.

Police Scotland Public Consultation Survey –

Your View Counts

The Police Scotland Public Consultation Survey is still open. The survey allows local residents to provide feedback to Police Scotland in relation to a variety of topics, including their views on what they feel local policing priorities should be in their communities.

The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete, is anonymous, and everyone is encouraged to participate in it.

The survey and further information can be found at http://www.scotland.police.uk/yourviewcounts.

Paper based surveys are available for those who wish, and these can be obtained by contacting Police Scotland, or at future Community Council meetings where local officers will ensure they are available.