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Glasgow Times
a day ago
- Glasgow Times
'Teens are carrying larger weapons', warns Glasgow police chief
Glasgow Chief superintendent Emma Croft described the behaviour as 'challenging' for police but said overall, youth violence figures are down. The worrying trend comes after a number of alleged knife crime incidents involving young people. Kayden Moy, 16, died after a disturbance on Irvine beach last month, and in a separate incident, Amen Teklay, 15, died in Maryhill in March after sustaining serious injuries. Speaking at yesterday's Safe Glasgow Partnership meeting on crime statistics, Chief superintendent Croft said 'there is clearly a focus on youth related violence as a consequence of the incidents in Glasgow and Ayrshire over the last several months,' but she added that 'incidents of youth violence are still down over the five year average.' READ NEXT: 'Sense of excitement building' over Glasgow's George Square work The Greater Glasgow Divisional Commander added: 'What we are seeing, however, is a change of posture – potentially intent – with youths carrying unfortunately larger weapons motivated by social media and are travelling across Scotland to gather. 'This is a challenging picture for police to map and prevent. Our national violence work is therefore focused on the sharing of information of trends and locations. "The input of partners here is critical – in particular schools, educational and youth work and diversionary settings who my teams have been working with tirelessly.' Chief Superintendent Croft said work continues with partners including the 'Common Ground Programme, Scottish Fire & Rescue Service, youth workers and many others to target areas where we see incidents of youth and related violence and disorder at the weekends.' READ NEXT: Plans approved to transform Admiral Pub site in Glasgow Last month, Police Scotland urged young people not to carry knives, following the death of Kayden Moy. Explaining prevention work taking place, Partnership superintendent Ryan McMurdo said school engagement officers work in 39 schools in the Glasgow area delivering programmes including the No Knives Better Lives and the Pitchin' In Programme to reduce youth crime. Other efforts include the Common Ground Youth Project in the city centre and the Police Scotland Youth Volunteers, which has over 100 people involved. Figures presented to the Safe Glasgow Partnership showed overall violent crime has increased this year to date by 1.8 per cent compared to the previous year to date. A total of 12,060 violent crimes were recorded this year to date, compared to 11,844 for the previous year to date in the Glasgow city area. The meeting heard there is a reduction in serious assaults, homicides, attempted murders and robberies compared to the previous year to date. There has been an increase in common assaults.
Edinburgh Reporter
09-06-2025
- Edinburgh Reporter
Firefighters facing misconduct have left or quit the service
Rogue firefighters have either been sacked or have quit after facing gross misconduct charges including violence, bullying, theft and harassment. It has emerged that 32 Scottish Fire & Rescue Service (SFRS) officers left the service in disgrace between 2020-21 and February this year. Data obtained under Freedom of Information shows that 25 firefighters were sacked during the period after facing gross misconduct hearings over charges including, physical violence or bullying, serious health and safety breaches, theft/fraud, unlawful discrimination/harassment, breach in confidence and misusing SFRS property. A further seven officers resigned prior to scheduled gross misconduct hearings. SFRS say they are unable to identify the specific allegations involved in the various cases due to risks of identifying those involved. But it came to light earlier this year that a number of firefighters were forced to quit after a scam involving on-call payments was exposed. Officers were alleged to have fleeced SFRS by colluding to claim bogus on-call allowances at an unnamed fire station before they were uncovered. In a separate incident, a serving officer was also forced to quit after allegedly stealing from a youth volunteer scheme bank account. The incidents came to light in the SFRS 2023/24 annual audit report. It says: 'During 2023/24 management alerted the ARAC [Audit Risk Assurance Committee] to two separate incidents involving alleged fraudulent activity. The first involved collusion by serving officers to fraudulently claim on-call allowances at a station. 'Police Scotland were alerted to the alleged activity and a fraud action plan was developed.' According to the report, those involved in the scam have since quit and that the second incident involved 'alleged theft from a third-party YouthVolunteer Scheme bank account by a serving officer'. Separately, fire chiefs say they are co-operating with HM Fire Service Inspectorate in Scotland (HMFIS) who are currently investigating SFRS's 'organisational culture' amid fears bullying, sexism and racism are rife within its ranks. The watchdog opted to broaden the scope of its probe into their 'HR/workforce planning' after evidence of widespread homophobic, harassment and discriminatory behaviour was uncovered within UK fire services. An investigation into allegations of a toxic culture found fire brigades south of the border were riven with 'pockets of abhorrent behaviour' such as sexist, racist and homophobic language. HMFIS say their decision to expand the remit of their investigation was triggered by the 'great degree of public interest in the organisational culture of the emergency services across the UK'. They said: 'The Chief Inspector's plan 2022-25 indicated an intention to carry out an inspection of HR/workforce planning – recruitment, attrition, diversity and skills within the SFRS. 'We have revised our plans for that inspection and have taken the decision to look at wider organisational culture. 'This decision has been influenced by the findings of several reports conducted as a result of serious high-profile incidents regarding the conduct of staff within the emergency service sector, both fire and police, across the United Kingdom. 'Whilst the majority of the cases involving the fire and rescue service have related to services outside Scotland, we believe this is an area of significant public interest and worthy of inspection.' They added: 'We have amended the scope of our proposed inspection and decided to focus on … the organisational culture within the SFRS.' Sarah O'Donnell, SFRS Deputy Chief Officer (Corporate Services), said: 'We take a zero-tolerance approach to any form of misconduct and we will thoroughly investigate any claimed breaches of our Code of Conduct or any behaviours that have failed to meet our high standards. 'We know we must foster a culture where we all take accountability for our behaviour and SFRS staff are supported and encouraged to report any concerns about behaviour that breaches our high standards. 'A confidential service has been launched that enables staff to anonymously report concerns freely and without fear.' DCC O'Donnell added: 'We are cooperating fully with HMFSI on its inspection of our culture and we will act on any recommendations brought forward.' xr:d:DAFvKR1PG70:26,j:1502358307026513352,t:23110111 Like this: Like Related
