Tayside’s top police officer will today reinforce the message that those who sell so-called legal highs are “not welcome in Angus”.
Chief Superintendent Eddie Smith will present the latest quarterly figures for Tayside D Division of Police Scotland in Forfar this afternoon.
Mr Smith will speak to Angus Council’s joint police and fire and rescue sub-committee at Angus House.
While crimes of violence and robbery have gone up on the same period last year, Angus police have recorded significant success against organised drug crime, partly though focusing on “high level targets” at the top of the supply chain.
And the top officer will tell local authority partners how an increased use of stop and search powers has been a positive factor in stopping crime.
According to the report before councillors, police will focus on targeting drug dealers and those who sell legal highs.
“We will reinforce the message that they are not welcome within Angus and continue in our efforts to bring them to justice,” Mr Smith will say.
“New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) cause harm and suffering within our community.
“In order to tackle this emerging trend, Operation Carinate has been created to target individuals and premises that sell NPS and discourage people from buying and using them.
“Operation Carinate has seen officers utilising stop and search powers and seen warrants executed at commercial premises within Angus.”
While violent crime figures remain comparatively low within Angus, Mr Smith will say the April to June reporting period has seen an increase in certain types of violent crime, in comparison to both the five-year average and the number of incidents during the same period last year.
“This is a trend we are striving to reverse,” his report states.
The number of recorded incidents of robbery has risen across the area, with occurrences in Arbroath, Brechin, Kirriemuir, and Montrose.