Officer Katy aims to keep youth on right side of law
POLICE in Fort William have now introduced a new system designed to tackle anti-social behaviour among young people in the town.
This will see young people who are exhibiting behaviour that does not amount to criminal activity, but causes a nuisance to the wider community, issued with a warning letter in front of their parents or guardians.
As well as acting as a deterrent, this will allow officers to keep track of young people who come to their attention regularly.
A second warning letter would thereafter be issued with further action being taken against those who continue to be involved in anti-social behaviour.
Criminal activity will still be dealt with in the normal way. Police Scotland’s preventions and interventions officer for Lochaber, Skye and Lochalsh, is Constable Katy Duncan, says anti-social behaviour is an unnecessary disruption for the general public going about their daily business and also ties up police officers who may be otherwise engaged helping people in need.
‘We are regularly told of concerns about children loitering or causing a nuisance in some way,’ said Constable Duncan, who is based at Fort William police station.
‘While this behaviour is not necessarily criminal, it does cause concern in the community and we believe this new warning system is a proportionate response to this issue.
‘I would also ask parents and guardians to make sure they know where their children are, who they are associating with and what they are doing.
‘Most young people do not come to our attention, but unfortunately there is a small minority who are drawn into anti-social behaviour, in many cases through peer pressure, and we all have a part to play in keeping our young people safe.’ Constable Duncan moved up to Fort William to take on the newly-created post after a period based at Glencoe as the area’s community officer, prior to which she spent more than 15 years based in Edinburgh.
She says the new job is going well and loves working in the Highlands, adding: ‘I am really enjoying the move to Fort William and my new role – it’s very interesting and I have lots of ideas for initiatives.
‘It is about preventing crime and diverting people away from criminality and I am more than happy to meet with schools, colleges and community groups to discuss anything from doorstep crime to issues with drugs.
‘It’s a big area but I am trying to get round as much of my new patch as I can over the next weeks and months.’