Police commander taken to task by Linlithgow councillor

Councillor Tom Conn repeated his request to hear police plans for the town to senior officers this week.

He was told by Local Area Commander, Jocelyn O’Connor, that a “date was in the diary” for a meeting – but she did not reveal when.

Just a fortnight ago Councillor Conn grilled local community sergeant Lee Brodie for answers on police actions to tackle anti-social behaviour following a public meeting in the Burgh Halls in the town in early November.

At this month’s meeting of the Public and Community Safety Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel (PDSP) he pressed Chief Inspector O’Connor for answers.

He told the meeting that, despite being given assurance of a meeting off-line, councillors had been told that they would find out in quarter three reports, ie in the new year, relating to activities in October to December, what the plan is.

The first likely date of a public briefing would be the next meeting of the Linlithgow Local Area Committee, which is scheduled for March 5.

Councillor Conn said: “I’m sorry. If there’s actions being taken, and there is a plan, then at least it should be shared to local members who the public have made representations to.

“So are we going to get a briefing, or do we have to wait until quarter three to find out what you have been doing? I’m sorry for being negative.”

Chief Inspector O’Connor said she was aware of the earlier meetings and added that arrangements had been made to meet with senior officers.

She said: “I know there’s a date been arranged in the diary for that off table meeting, so to speak. I suppose, ultimately, here I’m reporting on quarter two, and the activity that has been done [since the public meeting] will be in quarter three.”

CI O’Connor added: “We have a local policing plan, we don’t have policing plans for specific areas, that’s not something we do.

“We look at it on a weekly basis or six weekly basis with the partnership TAC, so I think this is probably something best for that off table chat, which I know my Inspector John Fleming has on his to do list. I’m quite happy to be involved as well. I don’t think this is the right forum.”

Chairing the meeting Councillor Craig Meek said the fact that an off-table meeting was in the diary was “probably news to Councillor Conn”.

Councillor Conn said that many of the incidents raised at the November public meeting related to quarter two or earlier in the year.

He added: “I’m feeling that I’m being pushed back here and so are other elected members. We would just like to know what is happening in our own town. If you’re not prepared to tell us then I find that fairly strange.”