Royal Navy and Ministry of Defence Police are continuing to team up with cops in Helensburgh town centre on weekends to crack down on disorder.
Officers are also increasing opportunities to work with care experienced young people in the area, with a youth engagement officer now dedicated to Helensburgh and Lomond.
An update to local councillors also gives details of a community policing team which is planned to be set up in the town.
Joint patrols between civilian and military police have been taking place during weekends.
Ideas to tackle youth disorder were discussed by community partners in April following a fire which destroyed the old annexe building at the rear of the town’s Hermitage Primary School.
The Lennox Herald also previously reported how a Helensburgh martial arts school – run by the uncle of murdered teenager Kirk Allan – is vowing to offer young people in the town an alternative path in the face of spiralling youth disorder.
Councillors will consider the report at a meeting of Argyll and Bute Council’s Helensburgh and Lomond area committee today (Tuesday).
Inspector Andy Barron, who is currently deputising for Inspector Roddy MacNeill, said in a report: “Police Scotland, Royal Navy Police and Ministry of Defence Police have established joint patrols of Helensburgh town centre on weekends to promote the safety and wellbeing of members of the public and prevent criminality taking place or escalating.
“The patrols are also being utilised to work with licensed premises, including staff and managers promoting the responsible sale of alcohol.
“The overall objective is to adopt a collaborative approach to provide a safe recreational environment, maximising public safety and reduce anti-social behaviour and disorder.
“The youth engagement officer for the area, PC Mark Toner, is now dedicated solely to the Helensburgh and Lomond area, as an additional post for this work has been created for Dunoon and Cowal.
“This additional capacity will allow us to focus on re-establishing previously successful Police Scotland Youth Volunteer groups and to work more closely with care experienced young people to deliver on our responsibilities as a corporate parent.
“We are looking at opportunities to learn from Glasgow’s implementation of the ‘Respect’ programme and options to utilise our youth engagement officers to deliver against the outcomes and provide support and reduce harms for care experienced young people.”
The inspector added: “Adverts are being run at present for officers to apply for a community policing team for the area.
“Development in terms of remit for this proposed department is ongoing and action plans have been drawn up to tackle anti-social behaviour, drug misuse and violence in hot spot areas and increased high visibility patrols in these areas is hoped will increase public confidence and build relationships with local communities.”
