National Outcome 9

NO09 – We live our lives free from Crime, Disorder and Danger

During community consultation in 2007/08, community safety was established as the top priority for the government organisations, community groups and people of Aberdeen, perhaps unsurprising given that crime was included as a category of deprivation in the 2006 Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation.  This showed that 59 of Aberdeen’s 267 data zones experienced a high level of crime-related deprivation; i.e. 22% of all data zones in the City.

In many cases there is a correlation between the data zones in Aberdeen experiencing the highest levels of crime and those that are the most health deprived.  Poverty, alcohol and drugs are often interlinked meaning that no solutions can be found by any single agency.  Grampian Police, NHS Grampian, Aberdeen City Council and Grampian Fire and Rescue Service therefore work together very closely tackling these issues. 

The combined efforts of partners during 2008/09 have in many cases heralded significant reductions, notably in the numbers of fire-related injuries and incidents of vandalism reported.  Elsewhere, in other areas numbers have increased, such as in with racially motivated incidents reported or the rate of domestic abuse, albeit in many respects these are to be welcomed as they indicate a greater awareness and a greater confidence by victims to report such incidents to the Police. 

Increased high profile intelligence-led patrols can also add to the increase in a category, such as with antisocial behaviour, much of which takes place within the City Centre.  Grampian Police significantly increased the number of Officers based within this area and as a result their proactive operations, most notably ‘Operation Oak’ have delivered a significant improvement in the safety of all those who live, work or socialise in the City Centre, in so doing helping to lay the foundations for future economic recovery.

Road safety remains a concern and while a reduction in the number of roads collisions involving fatal or slight injuries is welcome there has been a significant increase in the numbers of those seriously injured.  As Roads Policing is all about changing attitudes to driving this require a sustained long-term effort from all those involved.  Indeed, the need for collaborative working and mutual co-operation in all areas of work will only increase in future years given the current economic climate and the corresponding need for efficiency savings to be made.  It is up to all of us to rise to this challenge.

LO9A Reduce anti-social behaviour, violence, domestic abuse, racist incidents and drug / alcohol related incidents

Measure

Performance

Note

The percentage of adult residents stating they feel very safe or fairly safe when walking alone in the local neighbourhood after dark

Updates are expected later in 2009.

Measure

Performance

Note

The percentage of respondents who feel very safe or safe walking alone in the neighbourhood after dark within regeneration areas

Updates are expected later in 2009.

Measure

Performance

Note

The incidences of vandalism, malicious damage or malicious mischief

During the past financial year, there has been a reduction of 7.4% in the number of Vandalism offences. As a result of this decrease, the target set has been exceeded. A number of measures have led to this decrease, most notably Police providing presentations to and working with new students at the city’s two universities during Freshers Week. In addition, the School-Based and School Liaison Officers provide similar, though year-round presence and themed inputs to young people within the school environment.

Moreover, in Aberdeen, a dedicated specialist Neighbourhood Proactive Unit has made a substantial impact upon the division’s Vandalism detection rates, which has influenced Force performance. The Early Intervention Warning system which detects young people on the periphery or at risk of offending has seen acts of this nature decrease. This process involves working with the offenders and partners such as the Social Work Department, Barnardos and the New Directions Project.

The introduction of the City Wardens has also been a boon. These members of staff, employed by Aberdeen City Council, receive daily briefings from the Police, allowing them to carry out directed patrols as and when required. These Wardens are also working increasingly closely with the Police within the neighbourhoods, breaking down barriers and obtaining community intelligence which, in turn, is fed back to the Police, completing the cycle.

The achievements in tackling vandalism are the result of focus under the Force priority of Community Wellbeing. This priority has encouraged local staff to work closely with the public to gather information and tackle issues in the communities under the Total Community and Building Responsible Communities projects.

Measure

Performance

Note

Incidence of antisocial behaviour - breach of peace, urinating in public, drunk and incapable, underage drinking?

Over the past financial year there has been an increase of 1.9% in the number of Antisocial Behaviour related offences. This has resulted in a failure to meet the target set for 2008/ 2009. This increase is principally attributable to the 48.5% increase in the number of Racially Aggravated Conduct offences. This increase is viewed positively by Grampian Police and is the result of work carried out to increase the reporting of racist offences, particularly among the Door Steward community, which includes a significant number of individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds.

There has also been an increase of 33.3% in the number of Urinating offences. This has been most pronounced in the City Centre. The "Pissoirs" in the City Centre, designed to discourage this kind of offending, have now been in place for some time. It may be necessary to re examine the placement of these facilities.

Conversely, there have been decreases in the number of Vandalisms (7.4%), Street Drinking offences (28.5%) and Drunk and Incapable offences (50.6%), which have mitigated the rise in Antisocial Behaviour related offences. The decrease in Drunk and Incapable offences reflects guidance given by the Procurator Fiscal and offices are encouraged to make full use of the Designated Place facilities where available.

Breakdown of offence types is given in the attached document in Covalent.

Measure

Performance

Note

The number of violent crimes, including sexual crimes

Overall, a decrease has been achieved in this area. The target set reflects a Grampian Police target for Violent Crime. This target does not include Indecent Assault offences. If these offences are excluded form the total. The target has been surpassed.

The success achieved in crime reduction is as a result of proactive policing, with the introduction of a protocol for the investigation of robberies, ensuring all avenues of investigation are explored. It is measures such as this that have resulted in a 27% reduction in the number of assault and robbery incidents reported.

Measure

Performance

Note

The numbers of persistent young offenders

Although the number of persistent offenders has remained constant over the past two years, during the period 2008/09 there has been a reduction in the number of male offenders, albeit with an increase in females. There has also been a reduction in the number of offenders aged 15 years, down from 22 to 17 (22.7%).

While 35 previously persistent offenders dropped off the total during 08/09 a further 40 new offenders were added. This, when added to those who were already ‘on record’ meant the overall total remained at 50 individuals.

This area of work is particularly partnership-orientated with agencies having to work together to achieve results. The Police Youth Justice Management and Antisocial Behaviour Units work closely with SACRO, Social Work Department and Barnardos to identify persistent young offenders in the early stages and implement action plans in respect of them.