Dundee Council and Tayside Police Community Intelligence Unit (CIU)

Background

Exchange of information is an integral part of the investigative procedures carried out by an Anti Social Behaviour Team.

The Crime and Disorder Act, 1998 allows for exchange of information for the prevention and detection of crime. The Antisocial Behaviour (Scotland) 2004, Section 139 makes specific provision on the link opens in a new window disclosure and sharing of information where this is necessary or expedient for the purposes of any provision of the Act, or any other enactment the purpose of which is to tackle anti social behaviour or its effects.

Historically, the process for exchange of information has been cumbersome and time consuming due to the lack of effective and easily understood protocols between local authorities and police forces – often exacerbated by the lack of identified personnel to take responsibility in this area.

When funding became available under the Scottish Government "Building Strong Safe and Attractive Communities" Agenda, Dundee Council made a successful bid to employ a police officer and two civilian staff in a Community Intelligence Unit.

Subsequently the unit was enhanced by the secondment of a member of staff from the Anti Social Behaviour Team.

How the unit works

A Police Coordinator is responsible for liaison with key personnel involved in tackling Anti social in the Council. For example, Warden Supervisors, legal teams and specialist anti social behaviour officers.

An Analyst is responsible for developing intelligence, information and crime patterns relying heavily on crime and community intelligence so it is important that relevant officers from all agencies take every opportunity to report issues of current community concern to the CIU. The Analyst can then provide profiles, mapping and reports.

An Administrator collates information and circulates to appropriate staff. For example, to pursue Court Orders
Anti Social Behaviour Team – the link officer is based part-time in the CIU which means delay in exchange of information is minimised, particularly helpful when pursuing urgent ASBOs

Contact

The CIU works closely with partners such Council Departments, the Dundee Retail Crime Project (DUNCAN) and the Community Safety Partnership.

All staff are encouraged to utilise the facility to its fullest in order to broaden the expansion of community intelligence and its application to identify and reduce anti social behaviour.

Informal discussions are essential to day-to-day operations and these continue. But where information is needed to take action, the CIU is utilised to ensure link opens in a new window

information is exchanged within the terms of the data protection protocol.