The Times helping police tackle scourge of vandalism

Published 25 Jan 2012 08:00 0 Comments

Share this

click to enlarge
PC Greig in Johnston Park, where he is seeking information about the 26 incidents of vandalism that occurred.

THE Times and Cowdenbeath Police are joining up to fight the scourge of vandalism in the area.

Vandalism is a serious issue which affects local communities on a daily basis, but the victims don't just suffer financially.

Residents and businesses, whose properties are wilfully damaged, often find the experience extremely distressing.

As part of the highly successful Operation Crack-It-2 initiative, Cowdenbeath Police have continued to tackle vandalism and related anti-social behaviour utilising a team of two officers tasked to look at crimes across the Cowdenbeath Policing area, incorporating Cowdenbeath, Crossgates, Hill of Beath, Kelty, Benarty, Kingseat, Lochgelly, Lumphinnans and Cardenden.

The officers, PC Kenny Greig and PC Roddy Walker's main focus is on detecting crimes of vandalism already reported to police along with new reports of vandalism as well as providing a highly visible police presence in areas where crimes of vandalism and Anti-Social Behaviour are a particular problem.

As part of the initiative, the Times, in partnership with Cowdenbeath Police, have launched the fresh new approach of 'Shop A Vandal'. Members of the public with information can complete the attached coupon, anonymously if they wish, identifying those responsible for crimes over the next few months.

This information can then be sent by the FREEPOST address to Cowdenbeath Police, into the Central Fife Times Office at 17 Bank Street, Lochgelly, or direct by e-mail to the address shown.

PC Greig said, "Some reports of vandalism may not seem particularly serious but in every case there is a victim. When you look at vandalism as a whole, the picture is one where this crime affects local quality of life and there is a significant cost to individuals, businesses and public services.

"We want people to support us in this initiative by providing us with any information that will help identify those responsible. The public is vital in helping us solve these crimes".

PC Greig further said, "We want to make sure that we create safer communities where people can live and work in peace and have a decent quality of life.

"Our main priority is tracing those reponsible for a total of 26 vandalisms to properties and vehicles, which occurred recently in the Johnston Park/Leuchatsbeath area of Cowdenbeath and please be assured we are still investigating this. These series of crimes are top priority for the team and I would urge anybody with information on this to contact us, anonymously if they wish. The answer to these crimes are in the community and if you have information I would ask you how would you feel if it was your property, your family or friend's.

"Please just keep feeding us the information by completing the attached coupon or contact us direct and we will continue to gather evidence to trace those responsible. We want to make sure that the persons ruining the quality of life in our area are brought to justice and ensure that we to continue to tackle crime and are truly 'Taking Policing Closer to the Community'.

"I am particularly pleased by the help that the Central Fife Times is providing, giving valuable support to the police and local community. I would urge members of the public to take advantage of this."

Please also remember that Fife Constabulary is committed to allowing you to directly influence local policing. You can have your say on local priorities by coming to the Community Engagement Meeting in your area. If you wish to report any issues or require further details of your next Community Engagement Meeting you can contact Fife Police on 0845 600 5702 or visit www.fife.police.uk. Please remember that any reports are in confidence and you are under no obligation to provide your personal details.

I/we would like to provide the following information during the vandalism initiative.

Person...........................................................................................................................

Reason.............................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................

Name/Address (optional)...............................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................................

Please return to PC Kenny Greig, c/o Freepost EH 2479, Police Headquarters, Detroit Road, Glenrothes, KY6 2RJ or phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or to the Times Office, 17 Bank Street, Lochgelly, KY 5 9QQ, or email cowdenbeathcommunityteam@fife.pnn.police.uk

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our News archives.

Central Fife Times Poll

Should Andy Gray and Richard Keys have lost their jobs in the Sky sexism row?

This Poll is now closed.

Yes (50.6%)

No (49.4%)

Follow @dunfermlinep