Reduction in youth crime shows we’re on right pathway - Mandy Wilkinson
For this column, I’d like to focus on the significant work being undertaken by officers in the North West as part of Operation Pathway.
This initiative is aimed at reducing youth-related incidents in the Muirhouse, Pilton and Granton areas, along with reducing the risk of criminal exploitation of the vulnerable young people from serious and organised crime groups involved in the distribution of drugs.
I’m really encouraged by the current downward trend we are experiencing in relation to youth disorder and criminality, with progress made to disrupt the drug supply in the area.
Overall reports to the police peaked at 112 incidents in June, but since then, this number reduced to 93 in July and fell further to 78 in August, which is very positive considering this was during the school holidays.
A pattern we were observing was a rise in incidents towards Lothian buses as we approached the summer. There were 22 offences recorded in May, rising to 29 in June. However, because of Operation Pathway activity, these incidents fell to 16 in July and to just two in August, with both now solved.
A total of 28 young people have to date been reported for 126 charges relating to crimes of antisocial behaviour and violence.
Continued partnership engagement, enforcement activity and targeted interventions remain essential to address all issues relating to the individuals involved in offending and community harm behaviours and we remain committed to working alongside all key partners to address these matters together.
Part of this approach will be to identify youths involved in offending and signposting them (to third sector organisations who support with a range of diversionary activities.
Between May 11 September, the North West initiative team, working in partnership with the Edinburgh division CID proactive team achieved significant results in tackling drug distribution within the Muirhouse, Pilton and Granton area.
During this period the teams secured 11 charges for being concerned in the supply of drugs, 21 possession charges and one production charge, significantly disrupting two known drug supply lines operating in the area.
These enforcement activities have resulted in the seizure of criminal assets with a total estimated value of £289,639, comprising of £131,639 worth of controlled drugs along with £140,000 worth of illicit counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco products and £18,000 in cash.
During this time four young people were referred through the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) and subsequently confirmed as victims of Child criminal exploitation at the hands of serious and organised drug distribution groups.
Working closely with both internal and external partners, safeguarding measures have been implemented and continue to be developed to reduce vulnerability attempt to mitigate risk and provide appropriate support to those affected.
These referrals demonstrate the ongoing commitment of Operation Pathway and local partner organisations to identify, protecting and safeguarding young people who are being exploited by these criminal networks, while ensuring a coordinated multi agency response aimed at improving their long-term safety and wellbeing.
The positive outcomes achieved in this short reporting period support the ongoing objective of improving community safety, reducing youth related offending by early intervention and signposting diversionary options with our third sector partners.
This approach is helping strengthen public confidence and establishing a sustainable framework.