VALUABLE BIKES BEING LEFT UNLOCKED

I thought this would be a good time to update you on some of the issues that have come up across the Stirling area.

We have had three housebreak-ins at business premises in the Aberfoyle area but have a positive line of enquiry in relation to them. Our priority crime team will be assisting with these investigations.

It is a good opportunity to remind owners of more isolated properties to consider the security their buildings require. Should you want advice or assistance in relation to security then please visit the Police Scotland website or speak to your community police officer.

The last few weeks have seen numerous thefts of pedal cycles from across the command area. In almost all these cases the bikes, even the very high value ones, have been left insecurely. Cycle users should consider purchasing a lock and assess the security of any sheds or outbuildings in which their bikes are stored when at home.

The roads network has fared relatively well over the summer period so far. There have been two serious collisions within the area, one involving a motorbike and the other a pedal cycle.

Our roads policing colleagues continue to provide attention to the key routes throughout the division.

Traffic and parking issues persist around the Finnich Glen and Devil’s Pulpit area caused by an influx of people visiting locations used for the‘Outlander’television series.

Officers are working with Stirling Council and landowners not only to enforce traffic legislation but to identify solutions to ease this congestion .

Speeding, particularly through more rural locations, remains a priority and throughout the summer officers are continuing to carry out high-visibility patrols utilising hand-held radar and our‘pop-up bairns’to educate, deter, detect and influence driver behaviour.

In my last article I wrote about‘Operation Steadfast’, our initiative to tackle antisocial behaviour and disorder in the city centre. The operation has now come to a close and the results have been incredibly positive (see article above). In addition to Operation Steadfast, we have had officers deployed at summer events including Highland shows, music festivals, gala days and summer street fayres. I’m delighted to say all have passed without serious incident.