Inspector calls for technology to back isles policing
A senior police officer who has moved to the islands from a mainland force was “gobsmacked” to learn about some aids to detection which are not yet available here.
Inspector Neil Taylor, who spent 21 years in the West Yorkshire force, was giving a report on crime statistics to the Community Safety Board of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.
One area he focused on was “drug driving” and the fact swipes are not used to test because there are no laboratory facilities. Another was the absence of numberplate recognition cameras, which could provide vital information about who is coming into the islands.
Inspector Taylor linked the need to address both issues to the anticipated large increase in temporary population from early next year in connection with renewable energy construction work.
He stressed the intention to be “pro-active” on road traffic offences and warned that speed checks will be more in evidence. He said two motorists were stopped recently on the Tolsta straight going at speeds of 78 and 85 mph.
The Inspector said there had been four arrests for drunk driving in the past week but warned: “People have moved away from drunk driving. Drug driving is more prevalent now … When I arrived, I was quite surprised we don’t have drug swipes. If we did, I’m pretty sure we would find quite a lot of drug driving”. He is “pretty driven” to introduce drug swipes to the islands.
Inspector Taylor moved on to say he was “gob-smacked” to learn that “we don’t have one Numberplate Recognition Camera in the islands”.
He added: “It is imperative we know who is coming off that ferry. At the moment, we don’t have that information at all”. Elsewhere, he said, numberplate recognition is put to uses ranging from tax evasion through missing persons and criminal suspects to counter-terrorism.
Inspector Taylor said a scheme is being worked on to introduce cameras at all ports of entry in the Western Isles though decisions are still required on funding. Harris councillor, Kenny Macleod, said that having previously worked in law enforcement, he would very much welcome the introduction of these cameras.
Turning to the planned influx of construction workers, Inspector Taylor said he is in discussion with major contractors who are committed to “zero tolerance” policies towards offending among the workforce. “Any misdemeanours and they will be off the island”. He added: “We aren’t getting any more officers”.
On at least one piece of equipment, it seems the Western Isles have caught up. Inspector Taylor welcomed the introduction of body worn video cameras which allow officers to secure visual evidence from the time they arrive at a crime scene.
He said: “We’ve had them on the mainland for 25 years so we’re a little bit behind here” but explained how they are particularly useful in domestic abuse cases where victims could be “got at” not to report a complaint.
Video evidence, he said, is then like an “independent witness” which assists the Procurator Fiscal in determining whether to prosecute.