Ayrshire’s top police officer says that ‘unprecedented demand’ on police since the covid outbreak has created major challenges.
Chief superintendent Faroque Hussain, the area commander for Ayrshire, will tell South Ayrshire Councillors how the new local police plan had taken account of the upheaval and changes of the last two years.
He stated in a report on the local police plan for 2023 to 2025 that the community planning partnership (CPP) in South Ayrshire was working "tirelessly to ensure that we can collectively mitigate challenges for the most vulnerable.”
The close partnership with other public bodies is particularly relevant where an incident is better dealt with by other agencies, he said.
“This is more so when dealing with individuals with mental health or substance use challenges," he added.
“Using a partnership approach we will be seeking innovative ways that we can support and sign-post the most vulnerable to engage with services that will provide the right care, in the right place, at the right time.”
He continued by outlining the work to support local people in Wallacetown, in Ayr.
He said: “In January 2022, Ayrshire Division established a Community Wellbeing Unit to take an innovative trauma-informed operational approach to supporting people who are unable to break the cycle of offending and addiction or are involved in anti-social or disruptive behaviour.
“Our focus has initially been in the Wallacetown area, supported by a range of CPP partners who have also dedicated time and resource.
“Partnership working is key to the success of this work to identify or develop pathways and support individuals and families achieve positive outcomes.”
He continued: “Our areas of focus are those crimes and incidents that have the most impact on our communities.
“We are also committed to the less visible policing response that supports survivors of physical and sexual abuse.
“In a positive step to support those who have experienced Domestic Abuse, a Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) has been established in South Ayrshire.
“This involves South Ayrshire Council, NHS, Woman’s Aid, ASSIST and the police. MARAC protects victims of domestic abuse who are at risk of significant harm.”
The Area Commander acknowledged how the public viewed the police: “The community has an expectation that their local police service will respond to issues that cause them the greatest concern, such as anti-social behaviour.
“Officers have an excellent working relationship with South Ayrshire Council and the Thriving Communities team; regularly undertaking joint working to address local issues.
“This has also seen the welcomed investment by the council to provide quad bikes that improve our capability to patrol off road and rural areas.”
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