Community Policing - Help And Information

Did you know that Bell Baxter High School has a designated School Liaison Police Officer, and 3 local Community Officers who are available to provide both pupils and staff with help, advice and information on all police related matters?

At Cupar there are 2 Community Police Officers covering Cupar area (PC’s Kevin Russell and Paula Butterworth) and one covering Howe of Fife (Mike King) The School Liaison Officer is, PC Emma Clarkson. Contact Numbers are listed below. Alternatively, why not speak to us when you see us in the school. Our contact numbers are as follows –


KEVIN	PAULA
01334 418775 Mobile: 07792 510807 E-mail: Kevin.Russell@fife.pnn.police.uk Paula.Butterworth@fife.pnn.police.uk


MIKE	EMMA
01337 828222	01334 418775
Mobile: 07792 51077 E-mail: Mike.King@fife.pnn.police.uk Emma.Clarkson@fife.pnn.police.uk

We are here to help you and can give you advice on Personal Safety and Crime Prevention. Read on for more information on Personal Safety.

Do you know what’s on in Cupar in the evenings for Young People in the Bell Baxter catchment area?

SNAPPY

The SNAPPY sports scheme is on at Cupar Sports Centre on Saturday evenings between 7 – 9pm and is open to young people from S2 upwards. The entrance fee is £1 and for this you can make use of many of the facilities in the centre. Specialist sports coaches are on hand from time to time to demonstrate their skills and give training. You can take part in a wide variety of arranged activities including Unihoc, Gymnastics, Circuit Training, Trampoline, 5 A Side Football, Racquet Sports, etc. If you need a break from the more energetic activities, the organisers have karaoke nights and quizzes etc arranged too. It is a very worthwhile, enjoyable and cheap way to spend a Saturday evening! Transport is available from most of the surrounding villages at a small cost. For more information please contact Cupar Sports Centre on 01334 412290 or Norma Graham at Cupar YMCA on 01334 412460.

YOUTH CAFÉ

If you’re looking for somewhere informal to meet your friends, use the Internet or have a bite to eat, why not go along to Cupar Youth Café, situated in Castlehill, behind the Corn Exchange.

It is open on Wednesday and Friday evenings between 6 – 9.30pm. The Youth Café is free to 13 – 17 year olds. The only thing you need to pay for is snacks from the café itself. There are 3 computers in the café, all with internet access. Also available is the chill-out room, where you can meet your friends and listen to music. Occasionally there are excursions arranged from the Youth Café to play ten pin bowling in Dundee etc. In August 2003 a group of young people from the Café travelled to Prague in the Czech Republic to attend the Annual International YMCA Festival. They enjoyed a week long stay there. Various fund raising activities were organised in Cupar to pay for the trip.

Why not pop along to the Youth Café and see for yourself?

If you need any further information, please contact Cupar YMCA on 01334 412460.

BANDS NIGHT

Over the past couple of years, Bands Nights have been held at the Corn Exchange in Cupar, giving young musicians and upcoming bands the chance to let other young people hear what they can do. These have been a major success and have featured quality local bands, such as State Of Affairs.

Look out for details of future bands nights on our information pages.

ALCOHOL DID YOU KNOW?

If you are under 18 in a public place and have alcohol in your possession, Police Officers have the authority to confiscate it from you (Section 61 of the Crime And Punishment (Scotland) Act 1997 provides police with this power). If you fail to hand over the alcohol when asked to do so, you will be committing an offence.

YOU can make a difference; phone Crimestoppers you may be eligible for a reward. Remember this is YOUR community if you have information regarding any crime contact the above number. You will remain anonymous. and may get a reward.

How can I receive money without you knowing my name? We give you a unique number. You take it to any Bank hand it over and get the cash.

CANNABIS – Reclassified not Decriminalised

CANNABIS RE-CLASSIFICATION

On 29 January 2004, Cannabis will be re-classified from a Class B to a Class
C controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

"The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS) is committed
to tackling all drugs that impact adversely on the well being of Scotland's
communities. While the most damaging Class A drugs, such as Heroin and
Cocaine, will continue to be the focus of police enforcement activity, it
must be acknowledged that, despite its re-classification from Class B to Class C, Cannabis remains a controlled drug which can have serious health
implications.

It is therefore important to emphasise that possession of
Cannabis remains an arrestable offence and that the Scottish Police Service will continue to report any person found in possession of Cannabis to the Procurator Fiscal
Reclassification of cannabis from Class B to Class C will make little
difference to the manner in which the terms of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 are applied in Scotland. The only definitive impact of reclassification is on the level of penalties that can be applied by the Courts.
However, it should be noted that the situation relating to the prosecution
of offences in Scotland does differ from that in operation within England
and Wales. There is no discretion to allow for a system of warnings or
cautions in Scotland and the Police will continue to report all offences in
respect of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 to the Procurators Fiscal.
The introduction of 'Cannabis Cafes' is another subject that has caused
considerable conjecture following the re-classification. However, anyone
opening or managing such an establishment would be acting illegally.

It is important to bear in mind that cannabis remains a controlled drug that can have serious health implications.

PERSONAL SAFETY

All of us should feel safe enough to walk about at any time in the streets of our towns and villages, without fear of crime. Looking at the relatively low numbers of people who are assaulted each year, our streets are safe places to go about our business in. However that isn’t of much comfort to anyone who may feel vulnerable in the community. If you follow a few simple tips, you can help keep yourselves safe when you’re out and about.

If you are going to a friend’s house, tell them what time to expect you and what route you will take

Try to keep to busy, well lit areas, always walking on the pavements

If possible, walk facing the oncoming traffic, to prevent drivers from driving slowly alongside you or prevent anyone from stopping their car behind you. If you are at all suspicious, note down the registration number of the car and report it

If you think you’re being followed, cross the road and keep on walking, heading for a busy area – to a shop or a well lit house

NEVER accept a lift from anyone you don’t know!

If you arrive home alone, have your front door keys ready before you get to the door, so you don’t have to stand on the doorstep looking for them

If it makes you feel safer, why not consider carrying with you a personal alarm. These only cost a few pounds and can give you great peace of mind

If you have a mobile phone, make sure you carry it with you, so you can make an emergency call

If you don’t have a mobile phone, make sure you carry with you some loose change or a phone card

If someone does approach you and you are scared, do anything you can to get away and gain the attention of someone who can help you – yell, scream or use your personal alarm if you have one

If you are carrying a bag with a shoulder strap, wear the strap diagonally across the front of your body. ALWAYS be prepared to give up your bag or anything else you have with you. The contents of your bag can usually be replaced, …YOU CANNOT BE!

When travelling alone on the bus, try to sit near a group of other people or close to the driver. Sitting on your own can make you more of a target

If someone annoys you on the bus, tell the driver right away.

Try to keep in mind at least some of the above tips we have given you and remember …You have the freedom to do as you please and the choice about what to do and how you do it. If something does happen, you are not to blame.