LAYING Please stick with the lockdown
WITH DIVISIONAL COMMANDER CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT ALAN MURRAY
My apologies for mentioning the Covi-19 crisis in my column yet again but it is clearly the dominant issue in everyone’s lives at this time.
The compliance with lockdown restrictions and the support given to my officers as they go about their business in Renfrewshire has again been commendable.
This is much appreciated, and apart from anything else, maximises the time we can spend addressing the other issues of concern to local communities.
There continues to be small pockets of non-compliance, particularly in public parks and Paisley town centre.
It is probably worth reiterating that sunbathing and picnics in parks are still not considered safe and the guidance around only making only ‘essential’ journeys remains in place.
I do understand the frustration people feel, especially when we are having such unseasonably pleasant weather, but it is important that we all remember the reason why the lockdown is necessary.
As usual my officers will be out and about in numbers over the weekend and will always be happy to engage, educate and explain.
We will only take enforcement action if there is no reasonable alternative.
As I have mentioned before criminals are still operating and our most valuable means of preventing crime is often still the information we receive from public-spirited local residents.
An example of this was last Saturday morning when a member of the community contacted us to report a male acting suspiciously in Robertston Park, Renfrew.
Officers attended immediately and quickly located the man in question.
He was subsequently searched and found to be in possession of a knife with an eight-inch blade and a quantity of controlled drugs.
He was of course arrested and will soon be called to account for his actions in a court of law.
However, I think it is important to remember the possible consequences if this person had not been removed from the streets when he was.
In this area and others the chain of events leading to many a murder or serious assault has been the perpetrator’s decision to carry a knife or other lethal weapon.
Weapon carrying remains a significant issue, so if you know of anyone who is putting public safety, and for that matter their own liberty, at risk please let us know.
We act on all such information we receive.
A word of caution follows as we have seen a slight increase in housebreakings to both domestic and commercial premises over the last few weeks.
There are a couple of basic steps you can take to protect yourselves.
Firstly, make sure your doors and windows are secure, and make sure you lock your door at night and whenever you are leaving the house empty.
Secondly, be vigilant. If you notice anyone acting suspiciously or loitering for no apparent reason please give us a call on either 101 or if urgent 999.
Clearly, there will be some ‘false alarms’ but we do not mind this at all.
If you have any doubts at all, give us a call.
Finally, please remember that police officers and our valued colleagues, Council wardens, are subject to the same concerns around the current crisis as everyone else.
If you do see them out and about please say hello.
It makes for a much more pleasant day.