Police Target Aberdeen City Centre Loutishness

Plans for a crackdown on prostitution, aggressive begging, drunkenness and other anti-social crimes in Aberdeen were unveiled yesterday. Grampian Police is to join forces with the city council, the Grampian Fire and Rescue Service and the Aberdeen Community Safety Partnership to take a hard line against a range of crimes afflicting the city centre.

The initiative, codenamed Operation Oak, is aimed at making Union Street and the surrounding streets safer, cleaner and more visitor-friendly. It will also be extended to the beach and harbour area, Aberdeen’s red light district.

Chief Superintendent Albert Donald said a range of what were often described as minor or low-level crimes would be tackled “firmly and robustly” by uniformed officers. The crimes being targeted will include littering, vandalism, under-age drinking, illegal street trading and general anti-social behaviour.

He said: “The police are committed to providing a high-visibility patrol presence within the targeted areas with officers taking a very firm policing approach to individuals. A range of operations are planned as part of the strategy.

“Uniformed and plain-clothed officers will also firmly address issues such as vandalism, road traffic offences and prostitution around the beach and harbour.

“Visits to licensed premises to prevent drunkenness and under-age drinking will also be made.”

Mr Donald explained: “Many of the problems we have in the city centre are alcohol related. Together they present a picture of drunkenness, damage to property and nuisance, which does nothing for the quality of life for people living and working in the city centre.

“It can discourage visitors, whether they are from outwith Aberdeen, or people living in and around Aberdeen who avoid the city centre at night.

“We think that by joining forces and working together, we can make a real difference. However, we and our partners cannot do this alone. We need the help and co-operation of the public.

“We need people to take a pride in the flagship thoroughfare of the city and its environs, not to vandalise property, not to litter the streets with carry-out food and containers, and not to consume so much alcohol on a night out that they lose all sense of what is appropriate behaviour.”

He added: “We also need the public to inform us of crimes such as vandalism and car crime, and to tell us about those who are selling alcohol to youngsters, so that we can take the appropriate action.

“Together we can make a difference in the centre of Aberdeen. Undoubtedly this is an aspiration shared by the vast majority of residents and we sincerely hope that Operation Oak will build on the ongoing commitment that Grampian Police have to partners in the city.”

Steve Delaney, who represents the city centre’s Langstane ward on the council, welcomed the initiative.

“Grampian Police’s firm and positive approach on quality-of-life issues is very welcome. Low-level crime such as this can be a major source of annoyance to both residents and visitors to the city centre. The message must be loud and clear that this sort of behaviour will not be tolerated.”

Martin Greig, the chairman of the Aberdeen Community Safety Partnership, said: “Public safety in the city centre is a major concern. It is vital that the relevant organisations work closely together to improve the situation for the well- behaved majority.

“Operation Oak is a very welcome initiative in addressing problems of crime and the fear of crime in the city centre both during the day and at night.”

Aberdeen City Council, meanwhile, has announced plans to join forces with the police and leading stores to publish a monthly bulletin containing photographs of persistent shoplifters, as part of a new campaign against retail crime in the city centre.