New Safety Teams Launched in Region
Written by author on April 2, 2013
The region’s new Community Safety service is being launched on 2 April 2012.
Even though crime is showing a downward trend across the region, public perception of antisocial behaviour continues to be of concern.
Every year an assessment of antisocial behaviour is carried out. This is to identify new and emerging trends and threats in our region and to make sure Dumfries and Galloway Council and their partners are targeting resources effectively and efficiently. It means that community concerns are highlighted and addressed on a regular basis.
The Council took the decision that five Council Services, including the Antisocial Behaviour Team, Community Wardens, Environmental Enforcement Officers, Off Road Car Parking Inspectors, and Domestic Noise Enforcement Officers, be integrated into one single service and re-named the Community Safety Team, managed by a single Council Department, DGFirst.
The Chairman of the DGFirst Management Committee, Councillor Patsy Gilroy, said, “Integrating all Community Safety and Enforcement Services means that we can offer a service that will be more flexible, more effective and more efficient. It will better enable us to tackle instances of antisocial behaviour and ensure that Dumfries and Galloway continues to be one of the safest places to live. I welcome this innovative and positive development. ”
Service Manager Jim Hendrie, a seconded police inspector, said, “The new Community Safety Teams will offer the public across Dumfries and Galloway a more flexible service. We’ll be able to go where the problems are current. Our remit is wide ranging on antisocial behaviour and environmental issues. Our officers have undergone intensive training to multi-skill them, enabling them to respond much easier than they could previously. I encourage the public to report the issues that are impacting on them within their communities. We’ll continue to work closely with partner agencies address antisocial behaviour in our local neighbourhoods, wherever we can.”
Shonagh Henderson, the Principal Officer for the team, said, “My role is supported by two Senior Community Safety Officers, David Russell and Diane McColm, who cover the east and west of the region respectively. The staff in these new teams will be known as Community Safety Enforcement Officers (CSEOs) and Community Safety Officers (CSOs). The Community Safety Teams will wear highly visible uniforms and I’m sure you’ll see them out on patrol. The officers will be able to communicate with the police and other emergency services by use of Airwave radios, providing a more cohesive approach to addressing community issues. This will also provide increased officer safety for the teams. In addition these officers will continue to be involved in positive community initiatives across the region.”
Community Safety Teams will now be located in four bases, spread across the region;
* Harthill Depot, Lockerbie,
* Cargen Tower, Dumfries,
* Abercromby Depot, Castle Douglas and
* Culhorn Depot, Stranraer
The duties of the Community Safety Enforcement Officers (CSEOs) will include delivering;
* Antisocial Behaviour (ASB) case management,
* Domestic noise enforcement,
* Dog fouling and litter enforcement,
* Fly tipping,
* Abandoned cars,
* Legislative consultation,
* Trade waste infringements and
* A visible preventative element.
The duties of the Community Safety Officers (CSOs) will include;
* Delivering community preventative work
* Issuing Fixed Penalty Notices for dog fouling and littering
* Gathering evidence for domestic noise issues
* Recovering discarded needles
* Community monitoring
* Off street car parking inspections
The CSEOs and CSOs are now all Authorised Officers and are capable of issuing Fixed Penalty Notices, delivering an increase in enforcement capability for dog fouling and littering from 5 to 28 officers.
The newly formed teams work in partnership with the police. There are also two seconded police officers working directly with the teams. The new teams will cover the whole region, responding to on-going community issues of antisocial behaviour, including animal nuisance, neighbour disputes, noisy behaviour/loud parties, rowdy behaviour, and rubbish and litter. Hotspot areas will be targeted through a more effective and responsive service.
If you have any issues and want to contact the team, phone 030 33 33 3000 or email communitysafetyteam@dumgal.gov.uk
