Police deny claims of a crime reporting ‘vacuum’

Police are denying that people are reporting crime ‘into a vacuum’ and are urging the public across Stirling to let them know of any matters of concern.

- KAIYA MARJORIBANKS

Councillors at a recent meeting of Stirling Council’s public safety committee said they often get told by constituents they feel nothing is being done about activities that appear obvious to those living in their communities.

Green councillor Alasdair Tollemache said drug related deaths were tragic for both for the individuals concerned and their families.

But in terms of drugs issues in communities “all the agencies need to work together on that”.

“I constantly get people saying ‘we know where drug dealing is happening, why don’t the police know about it when we do?’ said Cllr Tollemache.

“When I ask ‘have you engaged with the police’ they say not. How do you get the message out to communities?”

Stirling inspector Natalie Cook said: “It is fair to say the public know they can call the police. Whether they do or don't is the problem for ourselves.”

She added that initiatives had been set up with other agencies and partners to allow information to be triaged into one place with varying degrees of success, and that there was nothing to stop other professional bodies being added to that.

Police also reminded councillors that people could report matters anonymously through Crimestoppers.