Issue - meetings

The Committee resolved:-

(i)             to note the report;

(ii)            to note many within the public and the media have great concerns that the implementation of the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021 will criminalise freedom of thought, freedom of speech, and freedom of belief; and requests the Chief Superintendent Graeme Mackie, North East Division, Police Scotland bring forward a thematic report to the meeting on 21 November 2024 on the implications to the media and the public from this new Act;

(iii)          to request that Police Scotland report back to the meeting on 30 May 2024, in regards to a previous action which was to look at breaking down the figures in relation to crimes committed and victim numbers to highlight the percentage of men and women who carried out the crime/were victims of the crime rather than an inclusive figure;

(iv)          to request that Police Scotland feedback to the next meeting of the Committee, with details of the engagement that was previously undertaken with 200 members of the public, to include details on issues that people may require help or assistance with, as well as the new various locations where anti social behaviour has taken place;

(v)           to request that Police Scotland provide details of the Scottish Government website, which had been set up to provide guidance in regards to the new Hate Crime Act, which could be shared with elected members; and

(vi)          to note that work was underway with Police Scotland and Community Safety Partnership in regards to the new Hate Crime Act and to request that the Executive Director – Corporate Services, liaise with elected members in regards to the new Act.     

The Committee had before it a report by Police Scotland, which presented the Police Scotland Interim Performance Report for Committee scrutiny. 

The report, provided an update on Police Performance in Aberdeen City in support of agreed priorities, and noted that much of the content of the report reflected on the collaborative methods in which Police Scotland operated across the City.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee discuss, comment on and endorse the report. 

The Committee resolved:-

(i)             to note the report;

(ii)            to note many within the public and the media had great concerns that the implementation of the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021 would criminalise freedom of thought, freedom of speech, and freedom of belief; and request the Chief Superintendent Graeme Mackie, North East Division, Police Scotland bring forward a thematic report to the meeting on 21 November 2024 on the implications to the media and the public from this new Act;

(iii)          to request that Police Scotland report back to the meeting on 30 May 2024, in regards to a previous action which was to look at breaking down the figures in relation to crimes committed and victim numbers to highlight the percentage of men and women who carried out the crime/were victims of the crime rather than an inclusive figure;

(iv)          to request that Police Scotland feed back to the next meeting of the Committee, with details of the engagement that was previously undertaken with 200 members of the public, to include details on issues that people may require help or assistance with, as well as the new various locations where anti social behaviour had taken place;

(v)           to request that Police Scotland provide details of the Scottish Government website, which had been set up to provide guidance in regards to the new Hate Crime Act, which could be shared with Elected Members; and

(vi)          to note that work was underway with Police Scotland and Community Safety Partnership in regards to the new Hate Crime Act and to request that the Executive Director – Corporate Services, liaise with Elected Members in regards to the new Act.    

(i)             to request that Police Scotland look at breaking down the figures in relation to crimes committed and victim numbers to highlight the percentage of men and women who carried out the crime/were victim of the crime rather than an inclusive figure;

(ii)            to note the Performance Report from Police Scotland;

(iii)          to note the update provided by Police Scotland regarding the ongoing consultation on the possible closures with impact on the buildings in communities, but that there would be no impact on officer numbers in our communities; and

(iv)          to request that Police Scotland provide an update to a future committee on how Police Scotland will provide the same level of service following the outcome of the consultation.

The Committee had before it a report by Police Scotland, which presented the Police Scotland Performance Report covering April to September 2023 for Committee scrutiny. 

The report recommended:-

that the Committee discuss, comment on, and endorse the report.

The Committee heard from Superintendent Davie Howieson, who provided a verbal update to Members on various aspects, including a consultation that was underway in relation to the future of police station provision in Aberdeen. 

The Convener, seconded by the Vice Convener, moved:-

          that the Committee -

(a)           note the Performance Report from Police Scotland;

(b)           note the update provided by Police Scotland regarding the ongoing consultation on the possible closures with impact on the buildings in communities, but that there would be no impact on officer numbers in our communities; and

(c)           request that Police Scotland provide an update to a future committee on how Police Scotland will provide the same level of service following the outcome of the consultation.

Councillor Malik, seconded by Councillor Tissera, moved as an amendment:-

          that the Committee

(1)           notes the report including the good work that is being done in Aberdeen by Police Scotland;

(2)           notes with disappointment the report in front of us does not mention anything about proposed police office closures in Mastrick, Rosemount, Seaton, Whinhill and Torry. Police office closures are a concern to our constituents, therefore agrees that the Chief Superintendent Graeme Mackie, North East Division, Police Scotland should be invited back to the next meeting of this committee to give a report on the impact of Police office closures within the City of Aberdeen; and

(3)           agrees all political groups should lobby the Scottish Government, their MPs and MSPs to ensure Aberdeen retains Police offices throughout the City. 

On a division, there voted – for the motion (8) – the Convener, the Vice Convener, Councillor Delaney, the Depute Provost and Councillors Copland, Davidson, Greig, McLellan and Mrs Stewart – for the amendment (5) – Councillors Brooks, Cross, Lawrence, Malik and Tissera.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)            to request that Police Scotland look at breaking down the figures in relation to crimes committed and victim numbers to highlight the percentage of men and women who carried out the crime/were victims of the crime rather than an inclusive figure; and

(ii)       to adopt the motion. 

The Committee resolved:-

(i)            to note the contents of the report; and

(ii)           to agree that Cybercrime continues to rise in scale and complexity in Scotland and globally, noting the cyber-attack at Western Isles Council therefore instruct the Chief Officer – Digital and Technology to bring forward a report to the February 2024 Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Committee meeting on how the Council is currently combating Cybercrime.

The Committee had before it a report by Police Scotland, which updated Members regarding the impact of Cybercrime and the Police Scotland response to it.

The Committee heard from Norman Stevenson, Police Scotland, who spoke in furtherance of the report and answered various questions from Members.

The report recommended:-

that the Committee discuss, comment on, and endorse the report.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)            to note the contents of the report; and

(ii)           to agree that Cybercrime continued to rise in scale and complexity in Scotland and globally, noting the cyber-attack at Western Isles Council.  Therefore instruct the Chief Officer – Digital and Technology to bring forward a report to the February 2024 Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Committee meeting on how the Council is currently combating Cybercrime.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)             to request that Police Scotland share the contact details with the clerk for forwarding onto Members, for passing on any feedback in relation to the pilot 12 week scheme that was underway regarding crime reporting;

(ii)            to encourage Members to pass any comments or feedback to Police Scotland, once the contact details were shared;

(iii)          to request that Police Scotland liaise with local Community Councils in regards to the new pilot scheme;

(iv)          to request that Police Scotland bring a report back to this Committee in January 2024, outlining the benefits and restraints of the pilot scheme;  and

(v)           to otherwise note the performance report. 

The Committee had before it a report by Police Scotland, which presented the Police Scotland Performance Report which covered April 2022 to March 2023, for Committee scrutiny.

The Committee heard from Chief Superintendent Graeme Mackie, who spoke in furtherance of the report and answered various questions from Members.  Chief Superintendent Mackie also provided details on a new 12 week pilot scheme that was currently underway in regards to crime reporting.  The information on the pilot had been forwarded to all Councillors via email. 

The report recommended:-

that the Committee discuss, comment on and endorse the report.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)             to request that Police Scotland share the contact details with the clerk for forwarding onto Members, for passing on any feedback in relation to the pilot 12 week scheme that was underway regarding crime reporting;

(ii)            to encourage Members to pass any comments or feedback to Police Scotland, once the contact details were shared;

(iii)          to request that Police Scotland liaise with local Community Councils in regards to the new pilot scheme;

(iv)          to request that Police Scotland bring a report back to this Committee in January 2024, outlining the benefits and restraints of the pilot scheme;  and

(v)           to otherwise note the performance report. 

The Committee resolved:-

to note the verbal update provided by Police Scotland.

The Committee heard from Chief Superintendent Graeme Mackie, who provided a verbal update to Members on various subjects.

Chief Superintendent Mackie explained that Aberdeen had once again been awarded the Purple Flag status for the tenth year, which recognised both the safety and vibrancy of the city centre at night.  He explained that in relation to the city centre, there were still some challenges but these would continue to be worked on.

Chief Superintendent Mackie also provided information on Naloxone, noting that 525 officers from the division had been trained to carry and use the single use intra-nasal spray.

Chief Superintendent Mackie also spoke about recent pressures on Police Scotland workload.

Members asked a number of questions of Chief Superintendent Mackie.

The Committee resolved:-

to note the verbal update provided by Police Scotland.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)              to note that Police Scotland would provide further written information to members on the Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse Scotland via the clerk;  and

(ii)             to otherwise thank Police Scotland for their verbal update. 

The Committee heard from Superintendent Neil McDonald, Police Scotland, who provided a verbal update to Members on various Police matters.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)              to note that Police Scotland would provide further written information to Members on the Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse Scotland via the clerk;  and

(ii)             to otherwise thank Police Scotland for their verbal update.