Fireworks and drugs seized as part of Borders CAT team action

As part of the action, the two SBC (Scottish Borders Council)-funded teams of seven officers have seized fireworks, targeted illegal parking, and recovered drugs and cash as part of search warrants executed in Kelso.

Antisocial behaviour by young people in Peebles was a key focus of the teams in October, with the teams engaging with young people and the community. And according to the team, as a result of this engagement there has been a significant drop in the number of incident reports in recent weeks.

This month, action will continue in Tweeddale in addition to activities focusing on Galashiels, where there has been an increase in the reports of antisocial behaviour.

Mobile patrols and static road checks will also remain in place over the coming month after officers successfully detected a number of offences after concerns over speeding were raised. These measures will be particularly focused at "collision blackspots and near schools".

Councillor Aileen Orr, vice chair of the CAT Strategic Oversight Group at SBC, said: “The period between the October and November meetings of the Oversight Group has seen the Community Action Team be very active, and successful, in tackling a variety of key community issues, from fireworks to drugs and illegal parking to antisocial behaviour.

“The continued feedback that both Scottish Borders Councillors and Police Scotland receive helps shape the team’s tasking and ensures that our communities’ real priorities are being addressed in a proactive and effective way.”

Two key issues discussed at the November meeting of the CAT Strategic Oversight Group were the thefts of high-value bicycles in Tweeddale, and agricultural vehicle thefts – namely quad bikes.

Chief Inspector Vinnie Fisher, Police Scotland’s Local Area Commander, said: “Thieves continue to target keen mountain bikers and visitors to the Tweed Valley while others are hitting our local farms looking for quad bikes, but there are some very simple and effective steps that people can take to deter and delay would-be thieves, and help us detect the culprits if they do get away with any items.

“This ranges from security lighting to trackers, but even being conscious about the information you share online through social media and other sites can help.

“Of course it is also critical that if you witness any suspicious behaviour or vehicles that this information is reported to Police Scotland as soon as possible.”

Officers advise that in order to deter quad bike thefts, owners should:

• Install an alarm system where quads are kept

• consider a quad protector device such as the SUIP protector and secure the building they are stored in

• Don’t leave keys in or near your quads

• Install trackers

And in order to protect high-value bicycles, owners can:

• Register and security mark your bikes with a national cycle database such as Bikeregister

• Use high quality ‘Sold Secure’ locks and fixings - ideally use both D-lock and cable/chain locks to secure the frame and wheel to the bike carrier / tow hitch

• Install an audible alarm that is activated if the bike is moved

• Install motion activated CCTV at home that will send an intrusion alert to your mobile

• Don’t advertise your expensive bikes on social media or make your profiles private so only friends can see your rides

• Don’t advertise your home address and don’t list makes and models on GPS ride apps. Also use privacy features on such apps to create an exclusion zone around your home address

• If you think that you may be being followed or watched by potential thieves whilst out and about with your bike, note descriptions of vehicles, including registration number/ suspects and call 101 to report it (999 in an emergency)

In the event of an emergency, call 999.

Use 101 or the Police Scotland website for non-emergency issues.

And to anonymously report suspicious activity or crimes, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.