On the beat in Formartine
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Police sergeant Richard Barnwell has given his monthly report which covers progress made in dealing with priorities for the Ward 7 areas which include Turriff, Fyvie, Rothienorman, Cuminestown, Auchterless, Fisherford and Methlick areas during November 2019.
Antisocial behaviour, violence and disorder: During this period there have been four recorded assaults.
All have been minor in nature and contained incidents and three relate to domestic incidents and one relates to an incident against the Police.
There are no reports of damage done to any public property, or any reports of public disorder this month.
Acquisitive crime: This month there has been two recorded thefts in the Turriff area.
These were from an education establishment and an industrial premises.
Enquiries remain ongoing in relation to both these incidents.
Road safety and road crime: Formartine CPT supported by Roads Policing units continue to target anti-social driving within Turriff and the surrounding towns.
The major issues remain around Turriff High Street and Tesco Car Park and is frequently discussed between Police and partner agencies.
There have been two road traffic offences reported during this period which includes using a mobile telephone and careless driving and document offences.
These were detected on the A947 and within Turriff.
Targeting persons who commit offences on our road networks continues to be a priority for Police Scotland.
In April, Operation Illustrious launched which has seen dedicated speeding patrols conducted across our area, specifically Methlick, Woodhead of Fyvie, Rothienorman and Turriff.
This operation is due to run for 12 months with regular deployment of dedicated officers to carry out patrols and speed checks in response to concerns raised.
Working in conjunction with Aberdeenshire council, several locations have been identified as problem areas.
Other incidents: Speeding and parking issues continue to be the priority issue highlighted by the majority of our areas.
This remains a focus for local officers and further patrols will be carried out with a view of combating and reducing this issue.
Controlled drugs and their use/sale remains an issue across all local policing areas in the north east however, with the support of the community and regular reporting on drug dealing and drug use, officers from the Formartine Local Policing Team will continue to proactively tackle those involved in this type of crime.
Any information available from members of the public is invaluable and can be passed to Police using any of the Contact Us methods.
The only other incident of note was a wilful fireraising at a farm premises in Rothienorman.
Community beat officer PC Douglas Donald is continuing to engage with our communities and has been attending various clubs and meetings across the Formartine area to provide Policing inputs and discussion with their members.
PC Donald has been carrying out regular foot patrols in our more rural towns and villages.
By speaking with locals and listening to their concerns he has been able to highlight local issues as well as gaining vital information to assist in the detection of crimes.
PC Donald is also responsible for the deployment of our mobile speed sign, which he has deployed in various communities within Formartine.
Its aim is to provide drivers with a visual representation of their speed and educate them as them enter or travel through our villages and towns.
Operation Cedar/Illustrious - Operation CEDAR continues to target driver behaviour with a focus on education of poor behaviours.
This core operation forms a key part of our local anti-social behaviour / driving campaigns, Operation ABACABLUE and Operation ILLUSTRIOUS.
Operation ILLUSTRIOUS, in direct conjunction with Op CEDAR, will take the form of dedicated high visibility and intelligence led patrols and speed checks across the Formartine area by Officers from the Formartine Local Policing Team, based at Ellon and Turriff, supported by Officers from North East Division’s Roads Policing Unit.
Rural Watch - North East Scotland Rural Crime and Safety Partnership has been set up to specifically target matters affecting rural areas, including road safety, acquisitive crime, agricultural safety, live-stock worrying and hare-coursing.
In addition to this and after recent consultation with the national Neighbourhood Watch and the Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime (SPARC), the Formartine Community Policing Team is keen to encourage local residents to sign up and use “Rural Watch Scotland”.
You can register online by visiting the Rural Watch Scotland website.
We will be looking to use this service more often to issue urgent alerts in relation to rural crimes, offences or other activities which happen within our area.
It is a fantastic tool that can be used to provide targeted information to the people who need it most. Sign up is free and doesn’t take long.
Winter security advice - As we approach the festive period the Formartine Community Policing Team are urging householders to keep their home secure by locking all windows and doors, garages and sheds and ensuring they have exterior lighting.
Due to Christmas households will have a high value of presents within their properties.
Do not leave gifts in view of windows.
In relation to gifts you have purchased for friends and family, mobile phones, tablets, laptops and cameras can be registered at www.immobilise.com.
If you are giving a bike for Christmas this can be registered at www.BikeRegister.com.
If householders are going away over the festive period remember to lock all windows and doors, use timers on any lights and ask a neighbour or friend you trust to keep an eye on the property whilst you are away.
We would encourage the public not to post on social media if they are away from their property over the festive period.
Further crime reduction advice is available at www.scotland.police.uk/keep-safe/Festive-Safety.
If members of the community witness any suspicious activity it can be reported to the Police using the methods detailed below.
• 101 – Non emergency
• Email – TurriffDistrictCPT@Scotland.pnn.police.uk
• Twitter – @NorthEPolice
• Facebook – www.facebook.com/NorthEastPoliceDivision
• Web – www.scotland.police.uk
• 999 – Emergency
• 0800 555 111 – Crimestoppers
