Green shoots of success are emerging from an Angus scheme which aims to break the cycle of offending for some whose lives are among the most chaotic in the county.
The police-led Tayside Intensive Support Service (TISS) launched in Arbroath last November, following on from a Perth pilot that sought to deliver a fresh approach towards steering repeat offenders away from problems that have blighted their lives, and in turn that of the communities in which they live.
Dundee is also about to see the launch of the TISS programme and will benefit from the Angus experience which project partners say is showing encouraging signs.
TISS is a partnership between Police Scotland, Action for Children and Criminal Justice Social Work Department and involves offenders signing up in a voluntary agreement to help them access multi-agency support in the hope of steering them away from substance abuse and restoring self-sufficiency and self-esteem.
Angus’ police commander Chief Inspector Gordon Milne has said a successful TISS scheme could have a noticeable impact on quality of life for citizens of Arbroath and the wider Angus.
The force recently landed a blow against the drugs supply chain with the jailing of several criminals in Operation Shrug. But Ch. Insp. Milne has also emphasised the important role the TISS scheme can play.
“We are talking relatively low numbers (in TISS), but that can equate to a significant amount of crime in a town like Arbroath,” he said.
Sergeant Nicky Forrester, who heads the TISS programme, stressed it is neither a get out of jail free card or a taxi service for offenders, who will find themselves back before the courts if they fail to grasp the opportunity given to them.
Sgt Forrester said the scheme is currently working with 12 people in Arbroath, with signs emerging that the Angus approach will replicate the success of the Perth pilot.
She can be contacted for details on the scheme by email on nicky.forrester@scotland.pnn.police.uk.
PC Lindsay Ellis is at the forefront of the Angus team, with criminal justice counterparts Lynn Smith and Mark Daly.
“We are learning from each other, and between us we are getting these referrals and looking at things like getting their benefits sorted out and making sure they turn up to appointments , which previously they would not do,” said Lynn.
“It may seem like simple things and there is a bit of holding their hand, but it is about getting them to do these things for themselves in what are chaotic lives.
“If you are addressing these basic needs then hopefully you are addressing the bigger issues such as the offending,” she added.
Alongside them, Graham McGinlay, a young person’s practitioner at Action for Children Scotland, said: “A key strength of the project is using a collaborative approach.
“By working in partnership with other services in the area we are able to offer a wide range of expertise to help people tackle any barriers they are facing, whether it be issues with housing or access to health services.
“Although it is early days for TISS, I believe we have made a real difference to those involved in the programme, their families and the wider community.”