Military police are patrolling Helensburgh town centre at weekends in joint operations with Police Scotland, a new report has revealed.
And a ‘Keep Safe’ initiative for vulnerable people has been expanded, with materials being translated into Ukrainian.
The updates are contained in a Police Scotland report which Argyll and Bute Council’s Helensburgh and Lomond area community planning group is due to discuss next week.
It says that action plans have been drawn up, with increased high visibility patrols in a bid to tackle ‘hot spots’ for anti-social behaviour, drug misuse and violence.
The report adds: “Police Scotland, Royal Navy Police and Ministry of Defence Police have established joint patrols of Helensburgh town centre on weekends to promote the safety and wellbeing of members of the public and prevent criminality taking place or escalating.
“The patrols are also being utilised to work with licensed premises, including staff and managers promoting the responsible sale of alcohol.
“The overall objective is to adopt a collaborative approach to provide a safe recreational environment, maximising public safety and reduce anti-social behaviour and disorder.”
Police have also been running Friday night football sessions during the summer holidays, together with Live Argyll and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, drawing up to 70 people aged between 12 and 17.
The Keep Safe initiative is Scotland-wide, with more than 50 Keep Safe Places in Argyll and Bute.
The report adds: “Keep Safe was designed with disabled people however it can be used by anyone who feels lost, scared or vulnerable when out in the community.
“Ukrainian-translated Keep Safe materials have been shared with all Keep Safe places and key contacts through the Violence Against Women and Girls Partnership to enable people from Ukraine to be aware and be able to access Keep Safe places if they feel vulnerable when in our communities.”
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