Perth’s top police chief has written to known offenders warning them not to step out of line.
In a unique move, residents who have convictions for anti-social behaviour offences have received a letter from Chief Inspector Mike Whitford, area commander for Perth and Kinross, promising to “get in the faces” of former criminals and stating officers will be visiting them to ensure they don’t stray back to criminal ways.
The move is part of a two-week operation mounted in the city which has seen additional police brought in from other areas, including some from Dundee, in a concerted bid to clamp down on drunken behaviour or those taking drugs.
Police rolled out the initiative last year and it has been hailed a success by Police Scotland’s Tayside Division.
The operation takes place during the day and does not target night time activities in Perth.
Mr Whitford told The Courier: “I was keen to get back out and get in the faces of certain individuals and we’re doing that with offenders.
“Anyone we see as a threat or a risk to the community, they will each get a letter from me telling that I consider them a risk or a threat and we will be dealing with them robustly.
“We’ll be coming to visit them regularly it’s trying to challenge the ongoing behaviour.”
He continued: “We’re focusing on Perth city centre, challenging some of the anti-social behaviour and have been working with community wardens and the local authority to basically try to get Perth into a reasonable state.
“This is the second week of it and we’ve had resources at national level helping us, in the form of additional officers from the north command area.”
The police chief stressed there are a “lot of alcoholics and drug addicts” involved in anti-social behaviour in the city, including “off-the-cuff” robberies such as handbag thefts.
“Perth traditionally had a number of those crimes but last year we had the lowest figure we’ve ever had,” he added. “These crimes (robbery) are devastating to the people involved.”
This crackdown follows a similar scheme launched earlier this year entitled ‘Centresafe’ when officers based in Barrack Street headquarters for police in Perth and Kinross patrolled potential “hotspots” in Perth city centre as part of a campaign to stem violence there.
Dedicated police on foot flooded certain areas of Perth on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings over the course of a couple of months after identifying locations were violence regularly occurred.
The policy also targeted individuals and areas known for violence.What the letter says…It is clear to me, from your previous criminal behaviour, that at this time you pose a risk and threat to the community. As a result, it is my intention to treat you as a prolific and high risk offender. As such my officers and I will be taking a robust approach to dealing with you until I am satisfied that the risk and threat you pose has reduced.
Whilst you continue to reside, or remain, within Perth and Kinross my officers will:* Carry out a series of unannounced visits to you for a period until it is deemed your behaviour is of an acceptable standard * Carry out a series of regular enquiries with your victims to ensure you do not make contact with them in breach of any bail or court order * Seek to apprehend you should there be any indication of criminality or threatening or abusive behaviour on your part with the intention of presenting you to Court on every occasion there is sufficient evidenceAs stated above, my aim is to reduce risk and threat to the community, as such I hope that you will engage with my officers and other available support services to work towards addressing your behaviour in the longer term.
Should you wish to speak to anyone regarding this matter, please contact Sergeant Patton at Perth Police Station.