Badenoch, Strathspey and Nairn Police launch operation to tackle vandalism

September 24, 2012, 12:19 pm

Police in Badenoch, Strathspey and Nairn have recently launched an operation to tackle vandalism issues across the area. Operation Radar, which commenced at the end of last month, aims to tackle issues of vandalism through education, prevention and detection and hopes to see a reduction in this crime over the coming months.

The operation, which started on 28 August 2012, has been working on not only detecting acts of vandalism but working on reducing the number of incidents committed by providing inputs at local schools and providing free security checks.

Throughout the area officers are providing advice to all pupils, at both primary and secondary level, to educate and engage with them to address the effects on whole communities from vandalism. Police are also offering free security surveys which will provide specific advice to help prevent them becoming a victim of this form of crime.

Inspector Murdo MacLeod, Lead Officer for the operation said: “Vandalism is an issue that we take very seriously and the focus of the operation is not just to detect such crimes but also to educate and deter them from being committed in the first place.

“We have been working on the campaign for a few weeks already and we have had a positive response in respect of detected crimes particularly in Nairn when we saw vandalism to the local museum and bowling green and in providing reassurance with high visibility patrols in areas prone to vandalism. This weekend the operation carried out by staff and saw another two acts of vandalism in Nairn which will now be the subject of reports to the Procurator Fiscal.

“We strongly believe by raising the profile of this type of crime, we can help communities work together to prevent it from happening and detect it when it does.”

Operation Radar will work in tandem with Operation Roundup, which focussed on underage drinking in the area, as it is acknowledged that alcohol can be a contributing factor associated with deliberate damage. High visibility patrols will be carried out in targeted areas to deter individuals who carry out this crime.

Area Commander Chief Inspector Ian Bryce said: “Vandalism, to those who commit such an act, may seem a victimless crime however that couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact it’s whole communities who suffer, from such mindless acts which can see communal facilities out of use for those who enjoy them.”

Anyone interested in a free security survey offered is asked to make contact with Inspector MacLeod at Nairn Police office on 01667 452222. Police would like to encourage anyone who would like to report such a crime to call them on 0845 600 5703 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org/. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.

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