Police to begin new Operation Pinpoint week
Police Scotland is this week undertaking a dedicated week of community action in the Bathgate Ward.
This activity comes under the banner of Operation Pinpoint which is a bespoke operation designed to tackle issues within particular localities and Wards within West Lothian which have been highlighted through intelligence and community engagement as impacting on the daily life of local communities.
The operation is usually carried out over a week within a particular area. The event is usually police-led with support and assistance from a range of partner agencies including West Lothian Council departments such as Trading Standards, Safer Neighbourhoods Team, Housing, Environmental and Operational Services, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, voluntary agencies and local community groups.
Previous weeks of activity have been held in Armadale, Whitburn and Livingston.
Bathgate has been identified for this operation as a number of issues have been highlighted as increasing in volume such as violence in the night time economy, anti social behaviour, substance misuse and road safety.
These issues have formed the local priorities for Police Scotland in the Bathgate Ward and our focus on ‘keeping people safe’.
Operation Pinpoint in Bathgate will tackle the likely increase in business levels associated with this time of year and there will be a number of dedicated taskings in relation to the local priorities I indicated earlier. This will include: Targeting known offenders wanted on warrant; enforcement of curfews; intelligence led anti social behaviour patrols; partnership surgeries at prominent locations; Environmental Visual Audit with partners and elected members; execution of drug warrants; local authority clean-ups.
At time of writing there has been a number of activities undertaken which has seen five drivers reported for speeding in the Marjoribanks Street area with a number of drivers also warned regards their manner of driving. Two persons have been arrested on outstanding warrants, two persons have been reported for possession of controlled substances, two persons reported for breach of curfew.
Additionally, 22 parking tickets have been issues so far in the town centre area for illegal parking. A number of businesses in the town are experiencing problems with deliveries being unable to unload due to illegal parking which is seriously impacting on the businesses’ ability to function.
There have been a number of local surgeries held in Boghall and the Partnership Centre which were very well attended by members of the public.
The week is continuing with a series of planned drugs hits and night time economy patrols at the weekend.