Cops back on the beat

Building contacts in community

Community cops are back on the beat in Rutherglen and Cambuslang.

And police have praised the first few months of the Local Problem Solving Team initiative, which is intended to put some familiar faces on the street and build connections in the area.

Each ward in Rutherglen and Cambuslang has two police officers assigned to it.

Those assigned to Cambuslang West are Paul Paterson and Andrew MacIntyre, who spoke to the Reformer about the first five months in their new roles.

Andy said: “People are seeing us more and are saying they’re happy to see us out and about.

“It’s about being known by the public, so that they feel they can come and approach us.”

One of the biggest issues over the summer has been youth disorder at Cambuslang Park. The duo felt that by talking to a number of the teenagers and children involved they were able to make progress regarding disorder in the area.

Paul said: “If you get to know the youths that’s a big thing. There can be a bit of mutual respect there, and a common ground where everyone can use the park without the issues that have been raised.

“They’re not bad kids – the majority of them are just decent kids.

“If we get a call about 30 youths hanging out in the park we’re not going to go and turf them all out at once. It’s about treating them as individuals and that’s where that familiarity is most common.

“You can’t just sort something out in a week or a month, these things take time, but hopefully the work we are putting in now will help down the line.”

As part of that plan the community cops are planning to be active in schools and community organisations, and will be easily recognised faces in the area.

Andy added: “We’re going to spend a lot of time in the different schools, and liaising with them.

“For example, we were helping with the West Coats road safety week. It’s all about getting us known, both children and parents, and letting them know where we are if they need to speak to us.

“We’re trying to be at the local community councils, groups like Friends of Holmhills Park and Friends of Cambuslang Park, and trying to work closely with them.”

With winter approaching problems in the park are expected to decrease, while they will look to emphasise road safety.

Andy said: “Road safety will be a big one now around the schools.

“We’ll be working closely with the schools and again the key is education, and trying to raise awareness.”