The campaign, which is led by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS) and runs throughout Scotland saw a total of 29 drink drivers detected in the Northern Constabulary area during the four week campaign period, which is 19 fewer than last year.

In addition, this year saw the introduction of the Vehicle Forfeiture initiative, where those caught drink driving after a previous conviction of the same offence faced having their vehicle seized with the potential of being sold or destroyed. This initiative is set to continue out with the campaign. Northern Constabulary have seized two vehicles and their owners will find out their fate following court forfeiture hearings.

Northern Constabulary continued with the policy of detaining certain drink drivers until the next available court date, which saw sixteen people spend at least one night in custody.

Head of Road Policing, Inspector John Smith commented: “I am encouraged to see a reduction in those committing such offences on our roads and listening to our road safety messages that we heavily promote at this time of year.

“I would like to thank members of the public for their contribution to making our roads safer as we saw a number of people caught drink driving after being reported by concerned citizens, which included friends and family members.

“The Vehicle Forfeiture initiative, I feel, has played an important role by introducing an additional serious financial loss to individuals as well as facing the outcome of court proceedings, which could include loss of licence or imprisonment.

“Despite the numerous warnings a number of people chose to ignore the messages issued and put themselves and other members of the public at risk by drinking and driving.

“We will continue to target those committing these serious offences and encourage members of the public to continue to support us and report those they suspect may be drink or drug driving.”

ends

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The annual pre-Christmas drink-drive campaign is shifting gear this year, with the aim of convincing drivers that a conviction has the potential to ruin their life through legal and personal consequences.

Inverness Crime prevention Panel have teamed up with City Taxis with a joint initiative to promote the prevention of drink driving.

Working with City Taxis, thousands of beer mats have been produced and are in process of being distributed to pubs and clubs across the Inverness region in Scotland.

The message is quite simple  “Had a Drink? – Don’t take a chance with driving – Telephone for a Taxi!”

The campaign was launched this week, by Paul Lewis and Kevin Clark of City Taxis and Members of Inverness Crime Prevention Panel in Inverness City Centre.

Paul and Kevin said:
“We had both been extremely concerned about the consequences of drinking and driving for some time and thought the best opportunity to get the message across was at the point of consumption of alcohol.
We have nothing against those wishing to enjoy having a few drinks in their chosen pub, club or restaurant, all we suggest is rather than taking unnecessary driving risks, simply call a taxi”.

The possible consequences of a drink-drive conviction include:

The Law

If you are convicted for a drink driving offence you will:

- Have a criminal record
- Lose your licence for a minimum of one year
- You may go to prison for up to six months
- You may have to pay a fine of up to £5,000
- Have difficulty hiring a car within ten years of your conviction

If you are convicted of causing death by careless driving while under the influence of drink you face:

- Up to 14 years in prison
- An unlimited fine
- A minimum two-year driving ban

Other consequences:

- Face exceptionally high insurance costs once you get your licence back
- You may lose your job (15 per cent of those convicted do)
- Legal expenses
- Loss of personal transport and increased travel expenses
- Living with your conscience

And worst of all living with the knowledge that your irresponsibility has caused death, injury or severe distress to innocent people.

Do you know the legal limit for alcohol when driving?

80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood, or 35 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, if a breath test is used.

However this can’t be measured in how many units a person has drunk because everyone deals with alcohol at different rates. To be on the safe side, people who plan to drive should not drink any alcohol.

Liz Gilchrist, Vice Chair of Inverness Crime prevention Panel said:
“The message that drink-driving has the potential to seriously injure or kill has been well publicised. By highlighting the life-changing consequences that a conviction also brings, we hope to further deter those who may be tempted to drive after having drunk alcohol.”

“We need the support of the public and publicans to be able to make a real impact. If you know of anyone drinking and driving, please call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Your call could save a life.”

The objectives of the campaign are:
To increase the awareness of the personal consequences of a drink-drive conviction.
To encourage the belief that one or two drinks are too many before driving.
To reinforce the social stigma surrounding drink-driving.
Don’t drink and Drive!

As we enter the festive period it is essential that motorists remember that if they are going to drink they should either leave the car at home or get someone else to drive. Drink drive limits cannot be calculated and the only safe way is not to run the risk of drinking and driving at all.

Jim Ferguson, Chair of Crimestoppers Highlands and Islands said:
“Although only a small minority of motorists continue to flout the drink-driving rules, this minority of irresponsible drivers still accounts for one sixth of all road deaths in this country. I ask these drivers to consider the potentially devastating effect that their behaviour may have on innocent victims, and stop being utterly thoughtless.

City Taxis web site

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2008 is no exception and Major Stores, Shops, Pubs, Clubs, Theatre, Cinema, Hotel and Visitor Attractions are making every effort to put an attractive package together to ensure an enjoyable experience to suit most tastes.

Northern Constabulary, Inverness Crime Prevention Panel, Crimestoppers, Street Pastors, Highland Council and other groups are working together to ensure as safe an environment as possible exists during this period and as an ongoing operation under the “Respect” umbrella.

With the Christmas holiday season almost upon us, now is a good time to remind people to take steps to make sure criminals don’t spoil your Christmas.

Criminals take the opportunities afforded them by the extra shopping we do, the hustle and bustle of town centres as we rush around, and the value of the goods we buy as presents and store in our homes until the big day.

We might also be more trusting and generous at Christmas when requests for charity are made, giving the unscrupulous a chance to collect for their own causes.

Jim Ferguson – Chair of the Inverness Crime Prevention Panel
talks with the Police out in the City at night.

Commenting on the Winter Festival arrangements, Inverness Area Police Commander, Chief Inspector Julian Innes said:

“I am really pleased that all the partners in Inverness are working together to make Inverness safer and more enjoyable over the winter festival period. Extra Police officers will be on patrol to deter anti social behaviour but for those that chose to commit crime and spoil the enjoyment of others then the message is clear in that it will not be tolerated and policing will be robust.”

Inverness Area Command

Inverness City is the urban centre of Northern Constabulary’s Force area.
The Area Command is responsible for Policing not only the city, but many of the outlying areas such as Beauly, Drumnadrochit and Fort Augustus to name but a few.

So what can we do?

Inverness Crime Prevention Panel has applied normal crime prevention advice to Christmas.

The information below is often common sense, but you might overlook it in your haste to get everything ready.

Out on the town

With office parties and general Christmas celebrations, pubs, restaurants and other venues are often crowded.

> Don’t leave bags over the back of your chair and keep wallets and purses close to your body to make it more difficult for the pickpocket.
> Busy places make it easier for the sneak thief, so be alert at all times
> Make prior arrangements as to how you will get home.
> Avoid any potential disturbances on the street. Stay with friends if you can.
> Make sure someone knows where you are going and what time you will be back.
> Don’t drink too much – you could become a target for thieves.
> Take precautions against Drink spiking – Keep your glass with you, never leaving it unattended and keep it covered.

Some general points:

You will be safest in bright, well-lit and busy areas.

> Try to look and act confident – look like you know where you are going and walk tall.

> You might like to spread your valuables around your body.
> For example, keep your phone in your bag, your house keys in your trouser pocket and your money in your jacket.

> Try not to be conspicuous about the valuables you are carrying.
> Talking on your mobile phone, carrying a laptop, or showing your friend your new gold ring all show thieves that you are worth robbing.

> When out walking or jogging, you should not listen to a personal stereo through headphones, so you can stay more alert to your surroundings.

Mobile phones

If your phone is stolen, report your number to your network and the police
The handset can now be barred on all networks and will be useless to thieves.

> Register your phone with your network operator.

> Record your registration number (IMEI) and your phone number.
> Keep these in a safe place separate from your phone.
> You can get your IMEI number (15-digit serial number) by keying *#06# into most phones or by looking behind your phone battery.

> Report the number of your stolen phone to your network operator and the police as quickly as you can. It can now be cancelled immediately like a stolen credit card.

> Stay alert your phone is a valuable item. When you are out, be aware of your surroundings and don’t use your phone in crowded areas or where you might feel unsafe.

Credit cards

> Keep your cards separate from your cheque books.

> If your cards are stolen, call your bank or credit card company as soon as possible. > Most banks put the number to call if your cards are stolen on your statement.
They are also often shown on cash machines.

Following the general guidelines for personal safety will help you avoid situations where people may rob you.

Personal Safety: Transport

This section offers some general tips on how to keep yourself safe and secure when you’re making a journey either catching a bus or taxi, or when you’re in the car.

Public transport

As with everything, you are safest where there are other people, and where it is light or well lit.

> Plan your route.

> Try to wait in busy or well-lit areas.

> Sit near other people, the driver if you are on a bus, or near the conductor if you are on a train.

Move if someone makes you feel uncomfortable.

Out Shopping

When the shops are crowded, the pickpocket has more chance to steal from you.

> If you can’t arrange to shop during less busy times, make sure you stay alert and be extra careful with your wallet or purse.
> If you have too many bags you will be too busy trying to hold on to these to be aware of anyone stealing from you.
> You could try to make smaller shopping trips rather than do it all at once and carry too much
> Have your purse/wallet close to your body and don’t carry too much cash.
> The same applies to travelling on crowded buses or trains.
> If you travel by car, make sure you park in a well- lit area, lock all doors and windows and do not leave presents in view.
> Try not to return to your car to leave purchases in the boot before continuing with your shopping trip as thieves may well watch car parks for just such a chance.
> Arrange to collect heavy items from stores when you have finished all your shopping.
> Keep your chequebook and cheque card separately.

At Home

Having bought all those wonderful presents, don’t make it easy for someone to steal from your home.
> Keep them out of sight until last thing on Christmas Eve and if you ‘hide’ or store larger items such as bicycles in the shed or outbuildings, make sure they are very secure.
> Now is a good time to check that you know what you have both normally (TV, Video etc) and with the extra presents you have bought.
> You may well find you need to check your insurance to make sure you are covered for the value of goods in your home.
> Take the frame numbers of new cycles and the serial numbers of new electrical equipment for future reference.
> Remember, empty boxes left outside advertise that you have new goods inside – dispose of packing carefully.

> If you go out for the evening – make it look like someone is at home by turning on lights and the radio.
> Don’t leave curtains open so people can see your decorations as potential thieves can see in.
> Be extra careful about locking doors and windows.
> As a fire precaution, don’t leave Christmas lights on in the house whilst you are out.

> If you go away for the holiday period – use an automatic timer for lights and ask a trusted neighbour to watch your home.
> Don’t forget to cancel newspapers and milk if you have them delivered and either redirect your mail through the Post Office or have your neighbour take mail into the house – unopened Christmas cards and mail are a sure sign that a house is empty.

Strangers at the door

> Genuine delivery personnel usually have uniforms and liveried vehicles and should not need to come into your home.
> Charity collectors will have identification and will not be offended if you ask to see it.
> If you are not sure but want to make a donation, ask whether these can be made in other ways, perhaps through a bank – check with your bank before making any payments through the banking system.

Driving

Please do not drink and drive – to do so risks your own life and others and incurs heavy penalties, possibly prison and financially.

General Safety in your car

> Keep your car in good condition and try not to run out of petrol.

> Keep doors locked when driving and keep bags, phones and other valuables out of sight, preferably in the boot.

> Try to park in well-lit or busy areas, and if you park during the day, think about what the area will feel like after dark.

> Do not give lifts to or accept lifts with people you do not know, or do not know well.

> Do not drive if you have been drinking or taking drugs, and do not take a lift from someone who has.

> You may feel more comfortable carrying a mobile phone with you. Try to keep it out of sight, and do not use it while drivingThe Inverness Winter Festival started on 20^th November and will continue until 1^st January.

Inverness Crime Prevention Panel in co-operation with Police, Highland Council, Street Pastors and Crimestoppers wish everyone a very happy festive period.

Finally, anyone with information about any criminal activity is asked to contact Crimestoppers.

The service is designed with confidentiality in mind and information about crime can be given anonymously

Call Crimestoppers anonymously on: 0800 555 111

Crimestoppers are a Registered Charity.

Have Fun, Be Safe, and please Respect each other during this festive season and at all other times.

Jim Ferguson
Chair - Inverness Crime Prevention Panel
Chair – Crimestoppers Highlands

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This guide, which was prepared by an independent social research company, Evidence Led Solutions, examines ways of addressing thefts from vehicles (TFMV) by focusing on the offender. This should be viewed in the wider context of problem solving in which the solution to this particular problem may take into account the targets of theft (the vehicles and their contents), the locations in which vehicles are parked, and the potential victims of theft, as well as the offender. The location / victim / offender approach is often known as the Problem Analysis Triangle.

Title: Theft from Motor Vehicles – Identifying Potential Offenders
Author: National Audit Office in partnership with The Home Office
Number of pages: 20
Date published: December 2007
Availability: Download full report PDF 277Kb

This paper focuses on the offender because it is the least understood side of the problem analysis triangle for tackling thefts from motor vehicles (TFMV).

The key to minimising the risk of people becoming offenders is to understand the nature of the offenders and to develop interventions that help to influence the likelihood of those people becoming involved in this type of crime.

The guide is divided into seven main sections:

1. The nature and extent of thefts from motor vehicles
2. The characteristics of theft from motor vehicle offenders
3. Identifying ways to target offenders
4. Preventing individuals from starting TFMV
5. Preventing offenders from continuing to commit TFMV
6. Combining interventions
7. Possible interventions

According to the British Crime Survey (BCS), there were 1.1 million thefts from motor vehicles based on interviews in the year to March 2006, representing 10% of all BCS crime. It is estimated that only 45% of these were reported to the police. In recent years, there has been a steady decline in thefts from motor vehicles, with a 9% reduction since 1997.

The 2005 /06 BCS showed that those living in private rented accommodation, living in a flat or terraced house, in an area of high perceived physical disorder, those without children and where someone aged 16-34 headed the household were at the highest risk of being a victim of theft from a motor vehicle.

Thefts from motor vehicles in England and Wales were estimated to have cost over £943 million in 2005 /06.

Getting a copy

Download Theft from Motor Vehicles – Identifying Potential Offenders PDF 277Kb

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17 December 2007

Police caught the 58-year-old man on two separate occasions. On the first occasion he was found to be more than twice the legal limit and on the second over four times.

Northern Constabulary launched its annual Festive Road Safety Campaign on Friday 7 December and asked people to think about how much they could lose by drinking and driving.

The Force are carrying out intelligence-led patrols and are out in numbers across the Festive period to detect drink drivers, as well as those taking part in the equally dangerous practice of drug driving.

A recent Scottish Government statistic has revealed that you are more likely to be caught drink driving in the Highlands and Islands than anywhere else in Scotland. Per 10,000 of the population (in 2006/07) 32 people were detected drink driving in Highlands and Islands compared to the national average of 23.

Northern Constabulary is urging people to drive responsibly and not put themselves and other road users at risk by getting behind the wheel whilst under the influence of drink or drugs.

Inspector John Smith of Northern Constabulary’s Road Policing Section said:

“The incident involving the 58-year-old man in Sutherland, caught on two consecutive nights, shows a total disregard for his own and the safety of other road users.

“Northern Constabulary will continue to be intelligence led and will actively pursue known drink and drug drivers throughout and beyond the Festive Road Safety Campaign.”

He added: “Extra high profile patrols will continue throughout the Festive period and there is an increased risk of being caught for drink or drug driving in Northern Constabulary Force area.”

Police will carry out breath tests on ANYONE who is stopped for a moving traffic offence and patrols will be increased throughout the four-week campaign across each Area Command.

Within Northern Constabulary Force area if you are caught drink or drug driving on a Friday you may even find yourself being locked up for the weekend.

Any driver involved in a collision, even if caused by another driver, will be breath tested. Legislation also empowers Police to require suspected drug drivers to undertake a roadside impairment test and refusal to do so results in an offence being committed.

Any member of the public who suspects someone has or is about to take drink or drugs before driving is urged to contact their nearest Police station or contact Crimestoppers 24-7 anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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The multi-faceted operation will target a wide range of criminal activity including drug dealers and users, shoplifters, drink/drug drivers, irresponsible drivers and the sale of alcohol to minors.

The aim of the operation – which was launched on Friday and will run until Christmas Eve in Inverness as well as towns and villages in Badenoch, Strathspey and Nairn – will dovetail with one of the force’s main priorities, the reduction of anti-social behaviour.

Over the course of the weekend, Northern Constabulary officers identified 31 incidents as part of the new operation, including detecting a shoplifter who stole around £3,000 worth of goods from one city shop.

The officer overseeing the operation is Superintendent David O’Connor, area commander for Inverness.

He said: "We are aware that the festive season is getting under way and that there will be a lot of people out and about in Inverness and the surrounding towns and villages.

"From office parties to Christmas shopping, the streets will be busier than usual. With that comes the seasonal increase in crime involving shoplifters, drink drivers and drug dealers or users.

"Our aim is to provide reassurance to our communities that they can go about their business without worrying about becoming a victim of crime."

Chief Inspector Donald Henderson added the police would take a tough stance with anyone breaking the law.

He told the Highland News: "We will be using various resources to tackle criminal behaviour over this period including launching covert and overt resources."

He added: "This is traditionally a very busy time of year. As always at this time, there is an increase in the number of shoplifting incidents.

"Much of the time people are stealing to feed a drug habit, but there are also those who are stealing to order.

"People will steal anything from alcohol to widescreen televisions.

"However, over the course of our first weekend operating this new initiative, we have been successful in detecting a number of people who have been involved in these types of crimes."

Ch Insp Henderson added that alcohol-related crimes were also in the spotlight.

"We will be using test purchasing to investigate anyone who is suspected of being involved in the sale of alcohol to minors. This is something which we deem very serious.

"There was a lot of alcohol confiscated over the weekend, the majority of it being taken from youngsters. This will simply not be tolerated.

"We have also stepped up our patrols in various blackspots around the city where traditionally there can be trouble or anti-social behaviour and we will also be tying in with national campaigns to target drink and drug driving over the festive period.

"Anybody getting involved in criminal activity will be arrested, taken into custody and they will appear in court."

c.doughty@highland-news.co.uk

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