Operation Respect is a partnership of the following organisations :

Highland Council
Crimestoppers
Inverness Crime Prevention Panel (ICPP)
Inverness Business Improvement District (BID)
Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA)
Inverness Taxi Association
NHS Highland
Pubwatch
Street Pastors
Northern Constabulary

These organisations are working together to engender respect for each other and for other’s property all year round, but especially during this festive period.

Operation Respect ‘s mission is to create a safe and clean environment for people, families and business within Inverness City Centre by preventing the occurrence of anti social behaviour with a focus on creating respect for the community.

Our aims are to:

• Reduce the fear of crime by ensuring that people feel safe from crime and disorder.

• Enforce the law in regard to low level offending for such offences as littering, dog fouling, street drinking, begging etc.

• Safer streets which experience reduced alcohol and drug related violent crime.

• Promote positive initiatives and diversionary schemes to reduce crime and the opportunity for crime.

• Evaluate the stated objectives and measures put in place to achieve them.

• Change in attitude and behaviour towards alcohol and drug consumption and that those in need are supported by prevention and treatment services.

• Target Inverness City Centre with a high visibility Police presence at peak times.

The Winter Festival was launched this year with Malice in Wonderland and many other exciting events are planned throughout for your enjoyment.
Please check out Winter Festival agenda on this link http://www.invernessfestivals.com/winter08/all_december_events.php:

With the Christmas holiday season almost upon us, now is a good time to
remind people to take steps to make sure your Christmas isn’t spoiled by criminals. This year we want you to have fun whilst out shopping or on your night out.

So what can we do to make sure we have fun and remain safe?
The Inverness Crime Prevention Panel have applied normal crime prevention advice to Christmas and this 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.

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

Late Night Bus Service
For the second year Operation Respect will be providing a bus service home after midnight enabling you to come into the city for an evening out without taking a car.

These late night buses will be running during the festive season on a Friday and Saturday.
The service will run between 11.30pm until 4am with a £2.00 fare.

Liz Gilchrist -Vice Chair of Inverness Crime Prevention Panel said  “I hope people will avail themselves of this service, it  will get you home safely after having a good night ‘out on the town’”  Click on this link for the time table:Night bus poster

Shopping Tips

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.
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 traveling 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.
Take care of your personal belongings.
Keep your chequebook and cheque card separately.
Protect your card Pin Number when making payments and cash withdrawals.
Do check the cash machine has not been tampered with ie an unusual insert at the card entry point or overhead camera strip.

**********************************************
Jim Ferguson, as Chair of Crimestoppers, in co-operation with Inverness Crime Prevention Panel, Police, Highland Council wishes everyone a very happy and safe festive period.

Finally, people should contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if they have information about any criminal activity. (Crimestoppers is a Registered Charity.)

Have Fun – Be Safe!

We are all volunteers who give a little time to educate and inform the public on how to keep themselves and their property safe.

Have you skills which may help or ideas for input?  eg., Fund raising or Project Organising?

We are always interested in anyone who would like to help at various events we are involved with – from leaflet distribution to security marking of mobile phones and computers through to talking to young people and the elderly about personal security.

Can you support us in our efforts on projects?

If you feel you can assist us please contact us on 01463 772692 or email info@icpp.co.uk

Crimestoppers is urging the public of the Highlands and Islands to call them with information which could help Police in their efforts to reduce the supply of illegal drugs in the region.

Northern Constabulary has enjoyed a successful year and has taken hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of drugs off the streets.

Both Crimestoppers and Police say they must not be complacent and have vowed to continue to target those involved in the drugs trade and any other form of serious and organised crime.

Crimestoppers’ National Training and Development Manager, Iain Froggett visited Northern Constabulary HQ last week to speak to Police and partner agencies about the work of the crime fighting charity and underline the independent charity’s commitment to helping Police tackle the drugs menace.

Mr Froggett was invited by Crimestoppers Highland chairman Jim Ferguson, who organised event.

Jim Ferguson Highlands and Islands regional chairman said: “I was delighted to have Ian Froggett attend today’s meeting which clearly shows the high level of support from Crimestoppers nationally for the Highlands and Islands region.

“The region has shown a 6% increase in the number of calls received over last year and a 40% rise in the number of arrests all due to information received from Crimestoppers which is highly encouraging.

“Crimestoppers is effective in the fight against crime and we are all striving hard to tackle the problems that affect our communities. Our board has been very active, regularly attending community council meetings and giving presentations to interested groups.”

He added: “We appreciate the dedication of Northern Constabulary and their support of Crimestoppers in our combined efforts to make our communities safer.

“Crimestoppers offer a completely anonymous way of passing information to law enforcement and clearly the Highlands is increasingly using the service which we provide to good effect.”

Mr Froggett said: “It is great to visit the low crime areas encompassed by the Highlands of Scotland, but to keep it that way, we need people to be vigilant. If they feel they cannot report information about criminal activity to the police for fear of being identified or because they are too close to an offender, then Crimestoppers offers the ideal means.

“We promise total anonymity to all callers whether they use:
Telephone: 0800 555 111 or choose to report online from our website www.crimestoppersscotland-uk.org/

Even the smallest piece of information we receive will be passed to the police and it may be the key to supporting a successful investigation.”

He added: “Offenders are the people who should fear the consequences of crime and by working closely with communities at large, with Crimestoppers volunteers and the police, we can help reduce the availability of controlled drugs and help in the prosecution of those who supply them.”

Deputy Chief Constable Garry Sutherland said: “We are grateful for the continued support we receive from Crimestoppers.

“Some members of the public may feel they cannot contact Police with information, for whatever reason, and in those circumstances Crimestoppers can provide an alternative solution.

“The Crimestoppers service offers people crucial reassurance that the information they are providing is being treated completely anonymously.

“Historically, information provided through Crimestoppers has played a part in the solving of a number of crimes in the Northern Constabulary area and we look forward to further developing that partnership, to ensure the Highlands and Islands remain among the safest places in the UK to live, work and invest.”

Ends

We help to promote the charity in communities across the region, to let people know that Crimestoppers is there for them as an anonymous route to pass on information about crime. Crimestoppers guarantees anonymity, which means that no-one can ever find out who passed on information about crime.

To pass on information about crime anonymously,
call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or fill out the secure, encrypted online Giving Information Form.

Scotland Crimestoppers is run by volunteers – each and every one is a vital link with the community in the region. If you think you’d like to volunteer for Scotland Crimestoppers, please fill out our Volunteer Enquiry Form.

Subscribe to the Scotland Crimestoppers RSS feed to keep up-to-date

Starting in the Wick area on Tuesday this week, Crimestoppers leaflets will be dropping through letterboxes across the region.

The leaflets are designed to encourage residents, who don’t wish to ring the Police directly, to contact Crimestoppers to report crime related concerns or criminal activity, anonymously.

Crimestoppers are a highly successful UK charitable organisation, supporting Police initiatives across the Scotland, England and Wales.

Since Crimestoppers started taking your anonymous calls in 1988, they have received; more than one million calls with useful information which have led to:

87,385 people being arrested and charged with offences including murder, rape, drug dealing, burglary, robbery and theft

Over 600 people alone with murder

£103million of stolen property being recovered

Drugs with a street value of over £159million being seized

Clearly, your call does make a difference!

Since the Most Wanted website was launched in November 2005:

Over 1,600 appeals have been featured

400 suspects have been arrested and charged (one Most Wanted arrest every other day)

25% of these arrests resulted from the information given by members of the public

Speaking at the launch of the campaign, Jim Ferguson Chair of Highlands and Islands Crimestoppers said:

“Our towns and villages across Caithness, Sutherland & Easter Ross remain safe places to live and work. Let’s keep them that way.
It would be preferable, if everyone within the community was willing to stand up and be counted but, if for any reason, you do not want to give your name we will understand. You can still give the information anonymously.
We must work together if we want our towns and villages to remain one of the safest places to live and work in Scotland.

Notwithstanding this however, we cannot ignore that in certain areas a small number of individuals are intent on committing crimes of an anti-social nature, vandalism, disturbance, domestic violence & drug dealing and continue to conduct themselves in an anti-social manner, which can often occur when alcohol and drugs are involved.

Recently, cases of rented Highlands�s property were reported in regional newspapers as being used for Cannabis Factories. This examples the creeping menace of organised crime.

The message is clear, we must all work together to disrupt and deter those intent on such behaviour.”

Crimestoppers only want to know what you know about crime, not who you are.

The type of information needed is:

Names, ages, addresses
What they are doing and when
What cars or vehicles being used
Where proceeds of crime are being stored
Any information which would help catch the criminals

Maybe you’ve seen or heard something about a crime but don’t know what to do or would you say something if no one knew it was you?
Are you scared to come forward and be a witness?
Are you worried about what might happen to you if you talk to the police?
If you feel like this, it’s easy to think there’s nothing you can do!

Crimestoppers is available for you to make your community a safer place to live.

Anonymity makes the difference and the promise of anonymity has never been broken.

Talking to an advisor helps provide the full picture and makes sure the best use can be made of your information.

Remember, Crimestoppers is an independent charity and not part of the police. If you wish to pass on information about crime anonymously

Please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111


HELP US TO HELP YOU
Jim Ferguson – Chairman – Highlands & Islands Crimestoppers

REMEMBER IF YOU SEE A CRIME BEING COMMITTED
PLEASE TELEPHONE 999 IMMEDIATELY AND ASK FOR POLICE

PREVENT A CRIME OR HELP US CATCH A CRIMINAL

Inverness will initially have 22 Street Pastors who will work in teams of 4 every Friday from 10pm to 3am and initially also one Saturday per month.  They will work in partnership with community groups, the Police and The Highland Council.  Training started last August for the 22 volunteers who will be identifiable by their uniforms and ID badges. 

The Street Pastors initiative started in the London Boroughs in 2003 as a direct response to increased violent crime and antisocial behaviour.  Results showed marked improvements, so much so that the initiative is running in 55 locations around the UK, although this will be only the second to be set up in Scotland.  Aberdeen launched their scheme a few months ago and Perth will be launched later this year.

Street Pastors Co-ordinator, Mark Hadfield said:  “The volunteers are all unpaid people who care about Inverness and its people.  They come from 11 different local churches in the area, representing a broad spectrum of denominations.  The Street Pastor is there to get to know people in the community and to build relationships with them to find out their needs and what can be done for them.”

On behalf of the Provost, Councillor Ian Brown attended the launch and met with the volunteers.  Welcoming the initiative he said:  “The national success of the scheme has shown it can make a positive difference to young people so I am delighted that Inverness will be introducing Street Pastors.  Sometimes all people need is someone to listen and talk to them about any worries or concerns they have.  This is a very practical way of reaching out and offering help from the pavements. The volunteers are to be admired for their commitment and I am sure the initiative will prove to be a success and our city centre will be safer and more peaceful at the weekends.” 

ENDS

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

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