The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Police warn terror attacks threaten ‘social cohesion’
New plan outlines four main objectives, including better support for victims of crime
Terrorist attacks like last week’s Manchester atrocity threaten social cohesion in Dundee, Police Scotland has warned.
The force’s new policing plan for Dundee over the next three years warns police will face “increasing and changing demands” on their time because of social care issues such as drug and alcohol abuse and mental ill health.
The report also warns of increasing “prevalence of vulnerability” through crimes such as domestic abuse, child sexual exploitation and human trafficking as well as the increasing complexity of cyber crime.
And it states police will have to address “the threat of terrorism and serious organised crime and their impact on community cohesion.”
Bashir Chohan, chairman of Dundee Islamic Society, said although it is the goal of terrorists to divide communities he does not believe it will happen in Dundee.
Mr Chohan said: “The terrorists do not have any religion. They are always trying to split families and communities to further their own political agenda.
“We (the Muslim community) need to support the police in whatever way they work, to defend the community and the city. We will work with them and cooperate with them.”
Police Scotland’s new plan has four main objectives for Dundee – to better support victims of crime, to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour, protect vulnerable people and maintain public safety.
The plan was published as a new local area commander for Dundee was appointed.
Temporary Chief Inspector Nicola Russell will replace Gary Ogilvie, who has taken up a detective superintendent position in Fife.
The new area commander has 13 years’ experience with the police and has worked in a variety of roles including in CID and tackling serious organised crime.
She also led the team that was responsible for implementing the “locality operating model” now in place in Tayside.
Temporary Chief Inspector Russell said: “I am absolutely delighted to have been appointed as the area commander for Dundee.
“Being local to Tayside I am passionate about the service we provide to our communities.
“I am really looking forward to working alongside our partners and local communities to ensure that Dundee continues to be a safe place to work, live and visit.
“I believe our local police plan will allow my teams to focus on specific areas in order to achieve these outcomes.
“I look forward to developing our partnerships within Dundee in order to achieve the best possible outcomes for everyone.”
Alan Ross, convener of Dundee City Council’s community safety and public protection committee, said: “I look forward to working with Temporary Chief Inspector Russell and am keen to develop the partnership working within Dundee.
“I am really pleased to see the launch of the police plan for Dundee.
“The objectives that feature within it are key to achieving a safe city and I have no doubt that the development of the locality policing team will enable these objectives to be met.”
The full implications of last week’s horrific terrorist atrocity in Manchester will not be known for some time yet. Over the last few days anyone attending a large scale public event will have noticed a distinct difference.
Security has been significantly stepped up. Bag and body searches are very much the norm.
Very few events have been cancelled on the back of the bombing at the Manchester Arena, but there has been a change of mood.
Yes, there has been a steely determination not to let the terrorists win.
But there has also been a certain pragmatism, leading to the increased security arrangements.
Yesterday, Police Scotland warned “community cohesion” could ultimately be threatened as a result of the attacks.
Thankfully, on a local level, there does not appear to have been the kind of spike in hate crime that has been reported elsewhere.
Yet as the police make absolutely clear, there is no room for complacency.
Without doubt, terrorists would be delighted to think they are causing ruptures and divisions among sections within our society.
It is down to every single one of us to ensure they do not succeed.