Crime fears after top Milngavie cop post is axed
CRIME in the district could spiral with the imminent axing of senior police staff at Milngavie.
That's the concern of the local Crime Prevention Panel, councillors and Milngavie MSP Des McNulty who say they dread a return to street disorder and vandalism.
It was confirmed this week that inspector Bill Ross is shortly to be moved from the local station and a community sergeant post is also to be axed as part of a cost-cutting exercise.
Fears for the impact on crime and disorder are compounded by the fact that in the recent council budget, the community warden services were slashed from 11 to just three.
Crime Prevention Panel chairwoman Doris Sofio said the axing of the inspector is a bitter blow to the community and added: "Before Inspector Ross was brought back to Milngavie a couple of years ago the district was plagued with spiralling crime fuelled by youths gathering to drink before menacing the community, battling with each other and anyone that got in their way.
"Vandalism was high, as was theft, and shopkeepers were getting harassed. Immediately Inspector Ross came back he went into top gear, cracking down on crime while at the same time engaging with youth who responded to his approach.
"There are real fears that we will see an upsurge in the anti-social behaviour which saw many no-go areas here."
These views are shared by Bearsden Councillor Duncan Cumming who told the Herald: "Inspector Ross's return was very timeous — we had been experiencing a very worrying upsurge in all sorts of street disorder.
"Undoubtedly Inspector Ross's particular brand of policing worked here — he identified and tackled danger areas before things got out of control yet despite that he had the respect of those on whom he was cracking down and a sense of confidence was restored in the community.
"I and my colleagues are very worried that this downgrading will lead to a return of the anti-social behaviour of all kinds that plagued the district not so long ago, especially since the changes come on top of drastic cuts in community wardens.
"There appears to be an assumption that a low crime rate will always be a feature in this area."
Mr McNulty said: "I am deeply concerned at this scaling back of policing and in particular that Inspector Ross is going.
"When he came back to Milngavie I was absolutely delighted — I knew he would make sure the community was fully engaged with policing and that he would stand no nonsense from anyone.
"He has worked with every local organisation, tackling trouble with unfailing good grace and efficiency. Rates of petty crime have been significantly reduced under his stewardship and local people have been very well served."
Chief Inspector Brian McInulty, who is based at Kirkintilloch, told the Herald: "I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the contribution Inspector Ross has made to the local area during his time at Milngavie and to wish him every success in his new role.
"Superintendent Smith and I are fully committed to delivering the highest quality of service.
"We are committed to ensuring the people of East Dunbartonshire get the best from their local community policing teams."
A police spokesman said: "In common with other organizations the economic climate is affecting the force and we had to devise a more efficient way of managing things, while making sure front line services are not affected."
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Weather for Milngavie
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
