New taskforce created in Dundee to tackle serious crime and support vulnerable people
A new campaign has been launched in Tayside Division to help reduce crime further and protect vulnerable people.
Operation Argonite has been introduced in Dundee to identify the issues that currently affect local residents and businesses most, and to help strengthen the partnership working that already exists when providing support to those most at risk.
As part of the operation, a new taskforce - also known as a ‘violence supression’ team - has been created made up of six officers who are based at West Bell St HQ. The dedicated resource provides an additional layer of support to strengthen the policing response already in place and will play a key role in supporting the Divisions’ main priorities.
Sergeant Lucy Cameron, who is leading the team, said: “It is absolutely crucial that we ensure the policing response to the people we serve remains robust during this particularly challenging time. Over the past few months, Police Scotland has been asking the public to tell us what matters to them most so that we can focus on the issues that affect our communities. The creation of this new team is just one tactic in our strategy to enhance the service we currently provide and to strengthen the fantastic relationship we already have with our partners.”
The team is made up of skilled officers with a wide range of experience in different areas of Policing including CID, Public Protection and Community Policing. They have been in post for the past six weeks and have been supporting the development of strategies and tactics designed to prevent and reduce the threat, risk and harm posed by criminals.
Sgt Cameron explained: “We are already supporting our colleagues to tackle a wide variety of issues including crimes of violence and drugs issues. The Division identifies the greatest risks and threats to the city at that moment, and this is where the new team comes in to strengthen and support the policing response already in place. So far we have carried out several safeguarding visits alongside our partners to protect vulnerable victims, reduce risk and tackle violent crime. The creation of this team has also allowed additional high-visibility patrols to take place, and leaflet drops during this restrictive period.
“One key aim moving forward will be to support local operations and initiatives which tackle county lines and cuckooing, which we know can have such a detrimental impact on victims as well as the communities where these crimes take place. Tayside Division works extremely hard to make sure the region remains a hostile environment for those who engage in criminal activity involving drugs, and providing further resilience in this area should help protect even more victims. We are already playing a key role in sharing best practice and working collaboratively with our partners to ensure we protect the most vulnerable people and maximise safeguarding opportunities.”
