New Inspector’s key role in local communities

Cumbernauld and Kilsyth’s new Communities Inspector, Jim Borland has spent 27 years on the force.

He’s a straight talking, no-nonsense cop with a wealth of experience and that’s exactly the attitude he’ll need to tackle the prevalent problems of youth disorder, violence and drug and alcohol abuse abundant in both towns.

Before his transfer to Cumbernauld, Inspector Borland worked in Airdrie in a similar role and has held a number of diverse and varied senior positions within the police force.

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He has a firm grasp of the issues affecting both Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, having been placed here in May, and Scotland as a whole, which should stand him in good stead for his new position.

The Inspector said: “My main goal is to continue the good work that Inspector Stevie Hazlett has undertaken, and to continue to effectively achieve the reduction in violence and anti-social behaviour that we have seen in the recent past.

“That will be my focus in the near future.”

This focus will come as welcome news to the residents of both towns.

“There are on-going issues in Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, and one of the main problems is violence and disorder,” said Inspector Borland.

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“The number of incidents of youth disorder and assaults is still there and it’s not just a problem for this sub-division; it’s for the full division.

“But there is wIork on-going with targeting particular individuals and groups.”

Inspector Borland seemed determined, informed and focused in his outlook on policing the towns and he did not duck any questions either when he was asked about the closing hours of the new police station in Kilsyth.

The office closes at 11pm, hours before the local pubs spill out onto the street.

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Inspector Borland said: “Although the police station is closed, it doesn’t mean police are not in the town. We still have officers on the ground after that time and they are targeted to the hot-spots.”

The inspector also confirmed that he and his team will try their best to liaise with and address the problems raised by local community groups, and he pleaded for anyone who becomes a victim of crime to report it.

He said: “The first thing that I would ask for is that if there are incidents then report them to the police. Unless we know it’s happening, we can’t do anything about it.

“There can be a reluctance for some people to contact the police, but the community officers are more than willing to engage with them.”

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