Suicide can be definitely prevented
Last week was Suicide Prevention Week and it started with World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10.
It was an opportunity to acknowledge that suicide is preventable, and that it is everyone’s business. These tragic occurrences have a devastating effect on friends and family, and are one of the most difficult incidents a police officer can have to deal with.
Sadly, it is more common than many people realise, due to a reluctance to discuss the issue. The continuing Choose Life ‘Read between the lines’ campaign asks everyone to be alert to the warning signs of suicide in people close to them. If you’re worried about someone, such as a friend, family member or workmate, asking them directly about their feelings can help to save their life.
Signs of suicide can be difficult to spot, which is why the campaign encourages people to take all signs of distress seriously, even if it seems a person is living a normal life. People can feel assured that asking a person about what is troubling them can make a positive difference.
Officers from our Local Problem Solving Teams attended a mutli-agency event at Ravenscraig on September 12, hosted by the North Lanarkshire Council Leisure and supported by the Chris Mitchell Foundation and all the professional Lanarkshire football clubs.
The main part of the event was a seven-a-side tournament, and much of the day was fun. We didn’t win, but it wasn’t about winning – the main purpose of the event being promoting the message that suicide is preventable, and information was shared about suicide prevention throughout the day between partners.
Search online for ‘Mind’ or the Samaritans for more information.
There have been a number of thefts across the sub-division this week. About 8pm on September 17, at business premises in Uddingston off the A70, thieves used a vehicle and a trailer, forced entry to the site, and stole a yellow coloured compressor. Police are reviewing CCTV evidence.
Two males aged 19 and 14 were arrested for allegedly breaking into Netherburn Primary School on September 14. A window was smashed and electrical equipment was stolen. The elder of the two was detained in police custody and attended at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Monday, September 17.
Overnight between September 13 and 14, a VW Passat motor vehicle was stolen from Lauder Gardens, Blantyre. Thieves managed to enter the home address and stole the keys to the ’67 plate car.
Three similar theft by housebreakings occurred in Blantyre. The first was a cabin broken into on Parkneuk Road. A quantity of drinks were stolen. In Farm Road, the security of a property was overcome by forcing a sash window and a three-figure sum of cash was stolen. On Victoria Street, entry was forced to a house and some clothing stolen.
If you have any information you feel should be reported on any of the crimes, contact the police using 101.