News

24 October 2007
POLICE CHIEF LAUNCH CRIME PREVENTION STRATEGY FOR SCOTLAND

PREVENTING crime has always been and remains a key priority for the Scottish Police Service, which is today adopting another tool in the on-going fight to prevent crime.

Chief Constable Colin McKerracher, President of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS), is pleased to announce that the Association has adopted a new crime prevention strategy for Scotland.

“By now, all Scottish police forces have adopted the National Intelligence Model (NIM) as a policing philosophy that incorporates a common set of standards and, with that, compliance at a national level.

“The adoption of the NIM and the use of problem-solving policing strategies has emphasised the essential role that prevention has to make to reducing demands on reactive police resources,” Mr. McKerracher continued.  “This will allow police forces to free officers to deliver the type of locally-based, accessible service that is valued by our communities.”

The Scottish Police Service has a rich tradition of delivering crime prevention in a range of ways and working in partnership to promote community safety.

“Building strong partnerships will remain a fundamental element of the strategy,”  said Chief Constable McKerracher.  “However, the NIM is challenging police forces to provide services that better meet the demands of a modern society and crime prevention has a significant role to play in how that is delivered.

“Our commitment through this strategy is to work to secure a safer Scotland by developing preventative actions that will make more efficient use of finite resources, which will deliver real, tangible benefits for people and communities.”

Fergus Ewing, Minister for Community Safety, said: “This government places a high priority on promoting community safety and tackling antisocial behaviour.

“A safe strong community isn’t just one without crime. It is one with a secure environment and access to high quality services and amenities.

 “I am, therefore, pleased that this initiative will see ACPOS working with the business community and other agencies to ensure that the built environment and public services are designed to deter crime. If we are to progress our aim of reducing crime and its consequences, we must ensure that our homes and workplaces are safe and secure.”

Alan Dobie, Executive Director, Scottish Business Crime Centre, said:  “The Scottish Business Crime Centre is delighted to have a prominent part in the delivery of the ACPOS Crime Reduction Strategy for Scotland.

“It is my belief that through robust partnership working with our partners in the police service and the business sector we can bring lasting and positive changes to the community and help our key partners deliver an effective contribution to reducing business crime, creating employment opportunities and encouraging sustainable development in our communities.”

The launch of the crime prevention strategy will be at the Scottish Business Crime Centre in Stirling on Wednesday, October 24, at 10:00 a.m.