Police Scotland Commander in Western Isles Welcomes Reduction in Anti-Social Behaviour in Stornoway

by Peter Urpeth, Local Democracy Reporter
The commander of Police Scotland in the Western Isles has welcomed a reduction in incidents of anti-social behaviour in Stornoway, but has said that the force “are not complacent,” about the issue locally.
The comments came as the newly appointed commander, CI Ross McCartney, delivered a report to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s Community Safety Board when it met last week on the performance of the police.
Asked by the Chair of the Board, Cllr Francis Murray if all incidents of the anti-social were being reported to police locally, and what he thought was behind the decline incidents in recent months.
CI McCartney responded:
“So whilst I would love to sit here and say, yes, all antisocial behaviour incidents are being reported and we have a full picture of it, I cannot confidently sit here and say that. 
“My plea would be, if anybody is experiencing antisocial behaviour, that they do report it, so that it gives us that true and accurate reflection, and allows us to respond appropriately. 
“In response to the second point, I think we have developed good structures in response to anti-social behaviour, good partnership structures with social work and education, and I hear, probably on a weekly basis, that there’s so much excellent work going on out there by different bodies, different groups, and there are social groups running and it’s excellent. 
“So, if anything, this has almost forced us to have that look in depth to see what works well, and if we do experience a spike again in the figures, we are not starting from step one. So I can confidently sit here and say that we do have good processes in place, and we’ll be keeping a keen eye.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

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