Can you help us catch the killers?
Each week, Renfrewshire’s top cop, Chief Superintendent Gordon Crossan, gives us his expert take on the major policing issues facing the area.
This week he updates readers on two ongoing murder investigations in Renfrewshire.
On Sunday, March 4, my officers were called to an address at Williamsburgh Court, Paisley, where they found Stephen Wallace dead as the result of a violent attack.
This is the second homicide to have taken place in Renfrewshire since the turn of the year, the other being the murder of Paul Mathieson in Houston Street, Renfrew, on January 14.
The investigations into both deaths are being led by Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Teams, part of the Specialist Crime Division, supported by local officers.
Paul’s death has been widely reported in the media, however, the murder remains unsolved.
But, at this time , there has been positive support from members of the public.
That being said, the key to unlocking this investigation lies within the Renfrew community, therefore, I urge anyone with any information whatsoever to please contact us on 101 and ask to be transferred to the incident room.
The death of Stephen is a more isolated event given that it appears to be contained to his home address, which is a high rise block of flats, so, even more so, the answers to this investigation clearly lie within the local community.
Investigators are keen to hear from anyone who frequents the area of Williamsburgh Court and/or knew Stephen who may be able to assist our investigation.
We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who has seen or spoken to Stephen over the past few weeks.
Again, please contact 101 with any information and for either of these crimes you can also call Crimestoppers on 0800 111 555 which can be in confidence.
I cannot stress highly enough my appeal to you to come forward with any information, regardless of how trivial you may think it to be, as it may just help find the persons responsible.
Both murders are a result of extreme violence, therefore, we all have a collective responsibility to help identify those responsible and bring them to justice so that others may be protected from such violence.
Recent reporting in social media channels has hinted at criticism towards Police Scotland’s stop and search policy, with an inference that members of the public coming from a Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) background have been disproportionately searched by police.
I would like to reassure all readers that I am 100 per cent confident that my officers use stop and search in a professional manner where they act on apparently credible information, supported by other data, research and observations before using their powers.
If you feel that this is not the case I would like to hear from you so we can discuss the issue and, hopefully, have them resolved. It is not the intention of my officers, or I, to victimise any individual or group of individuals.
We are here to deliver the highest quality policing service we can and this includes appropriate use of stop and search tactics to keep people safe.
Behind the scenes last week was very much a catch-up for all officers and staff, after the previous week’s weather, which disrupted our daily routine.
I am glad to report that we are now very much back to normal.
Thanks to our communities for their physical support, messages of support, patience and positive feedback during a challenging period.
My command team are finalising our governance structure and delivery plan to ensure we are focused on delivering outcomes as highlighted in our Annual Policing Plan and the Local Outcomes Improvement Plan.
We aim to formally launch this towards the end of March and hope it will help inform readers how we are reacting to your concerns.