Our February community council meeting which always has a full agenda, was busier than usual as we discussed the problems the Eastgate Theatre faces, the workings of the SBC Planning Committee and the demise of the SBCAT.

Police Scotland and SBC set up the CAT in 2018 as it was presumably thought that the cover provided by Police Scotland was inadequate. The cost for two seven-man teams was around £1/2M. A year ago, one team was disbanded and now the other team is going too. So, is Police Scotland now more adequately provisioned? No of course not!

It is true that many in PCC felt it was wrong that SBC funded the CAT teams. It is perceived as double taxation. We pay taxes to the state to fund our police and pay again to top it up from local taxes. However, setting this aside. We know, and this was confirmed at our meeting that local police are stretched thin indeed. At the Christmas lights switch on with its attendant large crowd, the nearest police were in Gala. Is that acceptable? I don’t think so.

We have been told that members of the CAT will be reallocated. I guess we will be lucky to have one allocated for the whole region. Of course, to quote (Peeblesshire News) Councillor Robson

“A lot can be done without needing a CAT team. For example, littering is a big problem. An awful lot of money can be saved by people taking their litter home with them”.

Personally, I despair! [Self-censored text]. Is that what the police do? Police litterers? In my 70+ years have litterers ever taken notice of anyone, let alone Councillor Robson?

I have analysed our police reports over 10 months. Over an average month the CAT dealt with around 10 traffic offenses, issues 80 parking tickets, makes 12 arrests or cautions, deals with assault, domestics, drug offences, house breakings and thefts, etc. They do not police the dropping of rubbish.

Then we are told, the CAT doesn’t actually achieve very much. So, SBC have wasted a few millions of pounds on the CAT. Not so according to their own documentation, October 2022

(1) “These high visibility activities have not only led to the detection of various offences but also have a preventative effect”.

(2) “The Community Action Teams have also executed a number of property search warrants recently, aimed at tackling serious and organised crime, with drugs and money recovered in each instance.”

and April 2023

(3) “Key issues including rural acquisitive crime, drugs, antisocial behaviour [ASB] and speeding continue to be the main focus”.

I Sincerely hope that whilst SBC make savings, Police Scotland step up to the mark and replace the CAT, number for number or the savings made may be absorbed by more crime and ASB. Has anyone actually studied cause and effect? I have seen savings of £380,000 projected. However, other initiatives are being constructed, they will have a cost, does the projected figure take these into account? I suspect that we will all pay in the long run for this decision.

Peter Maudsley
Chair, Peebles and District Community Council

As always: support or comment to Anne Snoddy (Secretary PCC)