Hamilton police pick up award for policing during festive season

Nov 5 2009 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

COPS in Hamilton scooped a prestigious national policing award for a crackdown on violent crime, disorder and drugs-related offences in the town centre over the Festive period.

Officers picked up the coveted award from Scottish Government Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill at a ceremony held at the Scottish Police College on Tuesday, October 20.

The award, under the ‘Public Reassurance and Community Safety’ category, was given in recognition of the successful Hamilton Town Centre Festive initiative.

Since 2005, police have been targeting violent crime, alcohol-related disorder and drink/drugs offences.

The initiative was devised following the then Scottish Executive’s evaluation that Hamilton was one of seven cities or towns hit by alcohol-related violence and disorder.

Initiated by the South Lanarkshire Community Safety Partnership, the lead agency was Strathclyde Police, alongside key partners, including the licensing trade, Lanarkshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership and South Lanarkshire Council.

Community Safety Partnership funding was provided to allow officers to tackle the biggest issues that faced licensees who operate in the town centre and those who visit the town centre with the aim of enjoying the festive atmosphere safely.

High-profile policing, enhanced use of CCTV, the use of taxi marshalling and the introduction of Key Individual Networks (KIN) were a few of the actions deployed throughout the initiative.

Residents, licensees and visitors to the town centre were given the opportunity to provide feedback to police regarding their perception of the area after each festive period.

During each festive initiative, several dramatic drops in certain crimes were recorded, most notably, recorded serious assaults dropped from six in 2005 to two in 2008.

Drinking in public places decreased significantly, from 19 incidents in 2005 to one in 2008.

Chief Superintendent Tim Love, Divisional Commander, said: “I pay tribute to dedication of the officers, the support of the local community and the assistance of our partners.

“Public reassurance is at the heart of everything we do, we want to do everything we can to make Hamilton, and indeed South Lanarkshire as a whole, a safer and better place for us all to enjoy.”

Hamilton West and Earnock councillor Jean McKeown, chairman of the South Lanarkshire Community Safety Partnership, added: “The results of the initiative have showed a significant reduction in crime and an increased level of personal safety in the area and this is testament to the commitment, efforts and dedication from all the partners involved."