Police / Policing ‘antisocial’ driving in town centre often a case of ‘being at the right place at the right time’
LOCAL police are well aware of “antisocial” driving on roads in and around the centre of Lerwick – but while the area is patrolled by officers, it is often a “matter of being at the right place at the right time”.
Police sergeant Alan Patrick was responding to concerns raised by a local resident through Lerwick Community Council around “hazardous and antisocial driving” at Annsbrae Gardens/Place at the top of Church Road – particularly when “modified engines and exhausts” are used.
Patrick said while officers do patrol the area on a regular basis, they often are directed elsewhere on the request of the control room.
In a letter the sergeant did say, however, that a man was apprehended within the last few weeks for driving with a loud exhaust.
An anti social behaviour order was issued in relation to the use of the vehicle in the area.
“This means that if such an infringement takes place again, we can seize the motor vehicle,” Patrick said.
“So this is progress on that front. We are hopeful that word spreads around people driving in a similar fashion around the area.”
In reference to further concerns about drivers using Victoria Pier late at night, Patrick said officers head to the area when time permits.
But he said the police are reliant on calls being made by members of the public.
Meanwhile six parking tickets were issued at the Market Cross in Lerwick in June and July, new police data shows.
Drivers have repeatedly been reminded in recent years about parking restrictions in the centre of Lerwick.
Meanwhile 11 packages were intercepted at the Lerwick postal sorting depot during the same period, with heroin and cannabis found.
In June and July a total of 330 incidents were recorded by police in Lerwick. This included two instances of drink driving, and two assaults in licensed premises,
There were five vandalism offences – including the well publicised graffiti in the town centre – and 14 ‘noisy neighbour’ offences.
Elsewhere in Shetland 37 incidents were recorded in the Delting area, 34 in Scalloway and 33 in Tingwall, Whiteness and Weisdale.
A number of other offences were recorded across Shetland, including reports of sending indecent images via mobile devices in Yell and Whalsay and drink driving in Walls and Sandness.
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