As life begins to return to a new form of normality and restrictions hopefully continue to ease I’d like to start by thanking again the vast majority of people in Inverclyde and I include the youth for adhering to the lockdown guidelines and restrictions.

I reported in my previous article of a sudden rise in youth disorder and anti-social behaviour within our communities and asked for residents to contact the police or wardens at the earliest signs of this occurring. I am pleased to say that information that we received helped formulate an Inverclyde Youth Disorder Initiative supported by the Community Police, Inverclyde Council Wardens and British Transport Police. This initiative was run over the past two weekends where we have seen a reduction in what I can only describe as loutish behaviour by a minority of youths in Inverclyde, it has only been necessary to escort one 14 year old youth home to their parents since the start of the initiative. I reported several problematic locations previously that have been regularly patrolled and would like to thank those golfers, dog walkers and residents that approached my officers to thank them. I can promise that although the locations may change depending on reports we will continue joint patrols as long as necessary. Thank you again for your assistance and please can I urge you to continue being our eyes and ears and report this type of behaviour.

Keeping on the same theme of thanks, I am pleased to report that information provided by yourselves recently lead to a number of properties and persons being searched under the Misuse of Drugs Act including three people being arrested and reported to the Procurator Fiscal following a raid on a house in Ann Street, Greenock. Also a 19 year old male was arrested for driving whilst under the influence and damaging two vehicles on the Esplanade in Greenock. I’ve said it previously and don’t apologise for saying it again, you have a right to feel safe in your own community and I believe that we can only achieve this by working together.

I have not felt it necessary to raise the issue of seasonal thefts in my last couple of articles but on noticing a slight rise I feel it prudent to offer the same advice as before. Please ensure you don’t allow an opportunist thief an easy steal, lock your doors, cars, garden sheds and garages at night. If anyone would benefit from crime prevention advice, please contact your local community Police Officer by dialling 101 and asking for the Community Policing Team at Greenock. They will be only too happy to assist you.

As you will be aware from this article I have been asking residents to be our eyes and ears within their communities and I know that residents have already assisted greatly by dialling 999 in an emergency or 101 for non-emergencies but I’d like to take the opportunity to inform Inverclyde residents about an independent charity called Crimestoppers. As well as being a charity, Crimestoppers is a community program that gives people the power to speak up and report criminal activity 100% anonymously. They never ask for your personal information and do not track your device. You can call them on 0800 555 111 or fill in their anonymous online form at crimestoppers-uk.org

Thank you for taking the time to read this article, I believe we all have our role to play in making Inverclyde a safer place to stay, please continue to abide by the lockdown restrictions as they hopefully continue to ease and for those that do not wish to stay silent anymore about crimes affecting your communities I thank you for your bravery and forbearance.