Promotedcopfirstexperiencedurbanpolicinginlocalarea
Tackling violent crime and keeping people safe is among the top priorities of a recently appointed police chief who is returning to the Rutherglen roots he planted early on in his career.
Inspector Stephen McManus, who is heading up the Local Problem Solving Team at Rutherglen police office, is also warning that criminals who supply drugs in the community have nowhere to hide.
Insp McManus joined the police in 2002 and moved to Rutherglen and Cambuslang’s uniformed response shift in 2006.
“It was my first experience of urban policing – busy and enjoyable. It was absolutely the best time in my police career,” he told the Reformer.
“For eight years in total I covered this area,” explained Inspector McManus.
“That’s been very beneficial. It’s not new to me. I know the areas and the priorities.”
His recent promotion left him “thrilled and honoured”.
He said: “The biggest priority is keeping the people of Rutherglen and Cambuslang safe and giving them a safe environment to live and raise their families.
“Ultimately, we want to reduce the fear of crime as best we can. Sergeant Scott Anderson and I are trying to meet as many people as we can.
“There are more than just the police involved in keeping communities safe. External stakeholders have skills and abilities we don’t have that can assist.
“Ultimately, we have to be thinking about education and prevention, as well as enforcement.”
The divisional priorities are focused on tackling violent crime, housebreakings and public protection, with a particular emphasis on drugs.
Through Operation Forward II, Inspector McManus and his officers are tackling head-on drugs, drug dealing and its effect in the community.
They are also actively signposting people affected by drugs and their families to other partner, third-party agencies.
Following a spate of housebreakings, suspected to have been carried out by a gang from Glasgow, Inspector McManus and his team are urging householders to keep all doors and windows locked.
The Local Problem Solving Team has also maintained a presence recently at various locations to carry out speed checks, following reports of speeding from locals living in these areas.
During these checks, Sgt Anderson said officers had cause to challenge numerous motorists about their driving.
“Road safety is a priority and this day of action was in response to concerns raised from residents regarding speeding vehicles,” he explained.
“We will continue to be proactive and ensure our roads are safe.”
Inspector McManus pledged: “I want to get across that we are committed to making a difference to people in our community.
“If people want to connect with us for advice or assistance, we are available by calling 101 or through the Police Scotland page.
“Crime, particularly violent crime, is a high priority. We would encourage anybody who has been a victim to report it to us.”
Inspector McManus and members of the Local Problem Solving Team will soon launch a regular column in the Rutherglen Reformer, in which they will turn the spotlight on their work.
In behind-the-scenes articles, they will lift the lid on how they detect and prevent criminal activity, and will reveal to Reformer readers the challenges they face and the measures they take on a daily basis to keep communities safe.
It was busy and enjoyable ... absolutely the best time in my police career ... for eight years in total I covered this area