We’ll always protect the vulnerable
It has been another busy week for all Renfrewshire police officers but I wanted to take this opportunity to highlight the work of one of our departments that is perhaps not widely known – the Public Protection Unit.
The PPU is part of CID but has specific responsibility for investigating and, just as importantly, preventing violence and abuse against women, children and other vulnerable individuals both in person and online
These investigations are typically far from straightforward and require our specially -trained officers to demonstrate tact and empathy.
It is also a job that makes considerable emotional demands on officers, to an extent that very few others experience, on pretty much a daily basis.
They have my respect and admiration.
One of the problems surrounding crimes such as rape, child abuse and domestic abuse is that it often occurs behind closed doors and victims often feel that they do not have a voice.
It is the job of the PPU to shine a light on these issues and ensure the perpetrators are brought before the courts before they can do any further damage.
We have been assisted in this by the introduction of the new coercive and controlling behaviour legislation, which gives us a powerful weapon against domestic abusers who hitherto have been able to get away unacceptable behaviour – but we still need people to come forward and talk to us if they feel they have been subject to any type of abusive behaviour.
I can guarantee you will be treated sensitively and those guilty of criminal behaviour vigorously pursued.
If you have any concerns please contact us using 101 or 999 if urgent.
Earlier this month, meanwhile, an ambulance was taken from the Scottish Ambulance depot in Craw Road, Paisley.
The vehicle was driven a short distance before it collided with a bollard at the entrance to the cycle track near to Corsebar Road, causing significant damage.
The driver then made off with items of ambulance uniform.
This was a particularly mindless and reckless act resulting in an ambulance used by our partners in the Scottish Ambulance Service for the purpose of saving lives in this area being removed from service.
A male has now been charged and is currently awaiting trial as a guest of Her Majesty.
I hope this gives him time to think of the consequences of his actions.
Finally, not everyone we deal with is exactly a ‘master-criminal’.
During the week one young man sneaked into one of our local hotels with his face covered.
Having set off a motion sensor alarm he grabbed three bottles of champagne, jumped out the nearest window and made off.
He was probably feeling quite pleased with himself until such time as he discovered he had stolen three empty bottles.
I am sure he will feel even less clever when Renfrew’s finest visit him for a chat about his nocturnal activities later this week.