ON THE BEAT Masks to be worn
Withinspector
As from Friday, July 10, everyone will be required to wear a face mask whilst travelling on any public transport and in all shops and closed public spaces.
Police Scotland are asking people to take personal responsibility to do the right thing and remember the purpose of these measures is to aid the collective effort to stay safe, protect others and save lives by preventing the virus from spreading.
Our officers will continue to engage with the public, explain the legislation and guidance and encourage compliance. We will use enforcement as a last resort only where there is a clear breach of the legislation.
We would encourage people to raise any concerns with business owners or staff in the first instance.
We recognise that people have made significant sacrifices but we would ask people to use their judgement and avoid places which are busy to stop our parks, beaches, lochs and hills from becoming over-crowded.
On June 29, a 46-year-old male was arrested by police after being reported for an alleged robbery, theft by shoplifting and being in possession of a knife in a public place.
Police traced the male the same day. He was further reported with attempting to pervert the course of justice when he allegedly supplied police with false details.
The male was held custody for court. On July 5, police were called to an address in Coatshill Avenue whereby a 31-year-old male had allegedly exposed his genitals and threatened two teenagers who were within a car, shouting and swearing at them whilst brandishing a knife.
The teenagers left their vehicle whilst the male allegedly attempted to steal items from within and attempted to drive off in the vehicle. Police attended and the male was arrested for the offences libelled. A report had been sent to the Procurator Fiscal.
I would like to highlight a matter that has become an issue again recently across the division, but in particular the Coalburn area.
The area around and south of Middlemuir Road is being used by numerous groups of people for illegal use of quad bikes and scrambler bikes. The majority of land is privately owned with no permission granted by the owner for such use. These activities are also causing alarm and annoyance to local residents who are becoming more concerned in relation to public safety.
In the last four weeks local officers have been called out to an increase in reports of this type of behaviour, including antisocial behaviour and fire raising. This is of course very worrying and alarming for residents there.
I have tasked extra patrols to be deployed to the area to engage and educate all persons participating. Already in the past week over 20 bikes and quads have been moved on and given advice regarding legal sites to visit. Road traffic offences have also been detected and recorded and police warnings have been issued for minor drugs offences.