We adapted policing in the pandemic
This week Detective Chief Inspector Bryan Burns is speaking in our column with local police.
He said: “It has been interesting to see how crime and trends have changed due to the unique circumstances thrust upon us over the past two years by the pandemic.
“We saw an increase in violent crime, mainly driven by domestic offences and assaults taking place within homes.
“However, the closure of the night time economy reduced assaults and public disorder in open spaces.
“The department quickly adapted to the change in our daily business to tackle these challenges, by managing threats and risk and providing support to those affected, as the landscape constantly evolved.
“An interesting aspect of the changes experienced during covid was the ability of serious and organised crime groups to adapt and exploit new veins, such as puppy farms and cyber fraud.
“Our Proactive and Serious and Organised Crime Unit operated throughout to detect and disrupt these activities.
“During this time, the unit seized in excess of £1million worth of drugs and £220,000 in cash, along with luxury goods including watches and designer clothes. With the restrictions on movement during the pandemic we spent more time online.
“An increase in online extortion, known as Sextortion, became significant and these cases continue to rise.
“Sextortion is when someone you met online encourages you to carry out a sexual act in front of a webcam and then threatens to post a recording of you online or send a copy to friends or family, unless you pay them money.
“If you are the victim don’t panic, don’t pay, don’t keep communicating. Do get support and call the police.
“We are beginning to see upward trends in acquisitive crime, which we believe is in some part linked to the current cost of living rise.
“In particular, we’ve seen a rise in theft of items that can be readily sold on and a rise in fraud has been identified nationally with the use of deception around individuals falsely claiming to be bank employees. Please consider the bargain you are offered and question, is this stolen?
“Banks have been proactive in relation to fraud prevention.
“My advice is simple - if you are uncomfortable with any call or communication from a bank, stop and take a minute to think is this a scam. Financial institutions will never be critical of you terminating a call or online chat to verify with your branch or their fraud department that you are not being duped. The past couple of years have been unlike any other and as normality returns we will continue with our disruption of the supply of drugs and associated crime.
“We will investigate those who profit from, and care nothing for, the misery that drugs and crime bring to individuals, their families and communities.
“Lastly, I’d like to say we are truly grateful for the support of the West Lothian community and will continue to do all we can to keep you safe.”