Big drop in calls to police about youth disorder in Torry

The number of calls made to police about youth disorder in Torry has fallen by almost 70% in the last two years. Just 36 calls were handled by officers in June and July. That’s compared to 120 in the same period in 2015.

Operation Smallwood was launched by the force back in 2015 – in a bid to curb anti-social behaviour, particularly in Girdleness and Balnagask.

It involves dedicated local Police units carrying out preventative patrols during the summer months, responding to incidents and taking robust action with young offenders. A number of Wi-Fi CCTV cameras have also been installed to deter incidents, and there are now daily briefings between City Wardens, Street Workers and the CPT.

Local Inspector Chris Kerr said: "There's no denying that youth disorder can be a notoriously difficult issue to deal with, however I hope these figures give the community reassurance that it's an issue that has been taken seriously and demonstrates the strength of local policing. You told us what the problem was, we listened and we have acted.

"We also quickly realised that tackling the issue was not going to be about quick-fix solutions and that longer-term, sustainable solutions would be key to dealing with the causes and effects of anti-social behaviour. This would entail a lot of time, effort and resources from all partners involved, however it would pay dividends in the long-term. In saying this, sometimes all it takes is for our officers to have a kick-about with a football in the park with the younger generation here in Torry, or stop and have a chat with them on the street, to establish a good rapport.

"Over the years the commitment and enthusiasm of our partners including Aberdeen City Council workers, businesses and local volunteers has been relentless, and the numbers of youths joining up to diversionary activities such as Skateboard and BMX coaching, Streetsports and Streetdance increases every year. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our broad range of partners for their continued support as by working together we are making a real difference. As the current local Inspector who is committed to ensuring Torry continues to be a safe and enjoyable place to live, I will ensure these figures serve as a benchmark for continued improvement."