ON THE BEAT

Withsergeant

The current pandemic has clearly had a major impact on all of us.

This includes issues such as the increase in fly-tipping in our community, which could partially be due to the closure of our civic amenity sites.

Fly-tipping, or the illegal disposal of waste, is becoming a major problem in certain areas of our community.

It occurs in both urban and rural areas it can be hazardous to health, causes environmental damage and looks unsightly.

Clearing it up costs local authorities more than £2.5 million each year.

The promising news is that civic amenity sites are now scheduled to re-open with plans put in place to manage traffic at relevant sites due to the anticipated demand.

It is our aim to minimise the extent of fly-tipping in the area and work closely with our partners to tackle the problem and identify those responsible.

If you see anyone dumping rubbish illegally, report to the Dumb Dumpers Stop Line online report at www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/ Dumbdumpers.

After another busy week we have again used a wide range of resources to tackle the incidents and problems which affect our local community.

At present we have officers deployed on night shift patrols who will conduct vehicle stops in our quest to protect the public from acquisitive crime, tackle the supply of controlled drugs and reduce violent crime.

During the past week we have reported individuals driving in the early hours of the morning whilst disqualified, drink driving, for dangerous driving, possession of offensive weapons and a number of individuals were found in possession of alleged drugs.

On Monday, May 25, a vehicle was stopped by officers, resulting in a drug search warrant being issued and executed at an address in Ravenstruther, Lanark. During this search just over 500g of brown powder was seized, believed to be a class A drug with a value of between £9000 to £13,000. A male has been charged, held for court and a report sent to the Procurator Fiscal.

There has been another increase in breach of bail incidents within the past week, with 14 reports raised due to direct breach of the conditions imposed on them. Officers from Police Scotland will continue to enforce these restrictions on a regular basis.

If you have any relevant information or matters you feel should be reported to the police, you can do so by calling ‘101,’ or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Do not call 101 or 999 for guidance on Covid-19. Public health advice can be found at: Coronavirus (Covid-19) on NHS Inform.