POLICE are stepping up their efforts to protect Bute and Cowal residents from acquisitive crime as the darker nights draw in.
Officers have made such offences a priority ahead of winter, with increased feelings of vulnerability among the public during longer dark hours.
Shoplifting offences have also seen a decrease in the area over the past three months, according to a report issued by the force.
The document will be considered by Argyll and Bute Council’s Bute and Cowal community planning group at its meeting on Tuesday, November 4.
A spokesperson for the police said: “Acquisitive crime remains a local priority especially as we move towards the winter months, where community members can feel more vulnerable during the darker evenings.
“Our preventions team continue to look for ways to raise the importance of crime prevention within in the community.
“Small steps and a review of personal routines can help reduce the likelihood of becoming the victim of opportunistic crime.
“Our pro-active work to protect the public from fraud continues. We are delivering inputs to groups and utilising our social media presence to maximum effect.
“Our relationship with our colleagues in Trading Standards is strong and we are installing call-blockers to landlines when appropriate which is a device to add a level of protection against the automated type of fraudulent call.
“Between July 1 and the week commencing October 9 locally we have recorded 10 shopliftings across our community which is down on previous months. We have had no reports of domestic housebreakings.”
The report added: “Digital evidence sharing capability, which revolutionises the way we collect and process digital evidence throughout the criminal justice system, is now live in Argyll.
“Digital Evidence Sharing Capability (DESC) is a programme designed to deliver an end to end service which will collect, manage and share digital evidence throughout the criminal justice process. DESC will allow members of the public/businesses to quickly and easily submit digital evidence online (via portal).”
