Perth & Kinross Local Area Commander’s Bulletin

Over the Easter weekend Perth Road Policing Unit carried out A93/A8 and A9 patrols in relation to safety awareness for motor bike users. A total of 15 motor bikes were stopped and spoken to but no offences identified.

Motorcycle Safety

Perthshire is blessed with beautiful scenery and roads that are favoured by motorcyclists but over the past few years has not been without its tragedies. The consequences of being involved in any crash while riding a motorbike can be serious. Motorbike riders should not over estimate their own abilities and should at all times ride defensively. The majority of road crashes are avoidable and often involve basic errors of judgement being made.

There are a number of things you can do to reduce the risk of crashing on a motorbike:

Take time to negotiate bends on rural A roads
Take extra care at junctions – remember in a busy environment or built up areas you could get lost to other drivers in all the activity
Take care when overtaking and only overtake when it is safe to do so
Know your cycle and how to manage it if you do start to feel like you are losing control.

Clothing is particularly important when riding a motorbike. Your clothing is important for your visibility and for your safety. During the day you should ensure you are wearing bright or fluorescent colours over your protective clothing and in the evening reflective clothing should be worn. A helmet is required by law when riding a motorbike.

I would also encourage other road users to;

Look carefully for motorbikes when you pull out at a junction. If you’re approaching a junction, look out for motorcyclists pulling out too.
Keep your distance, driving too close can intimidate a less experienced motorcyclist.
Check for bikes when changing lanes, a motorcyclist may be in the space you want to move into, or moving into it fast. Remember your blind spot.
Check for bikes when turning, parked cars or large vehicles can obstruct your view of a motorcyclist.
Motorcyclists might pass you on either side – double-check for motorcyclists, whether you’re turning left or right.

Emergency Alerts

At 3pm on Sunday 23rd April 2023, there will be a national test of the UK’s new Emergency Alerts system. If an alert is sent you will hear a loud sound siren-like sound on your phone and see a message on your screen which will tell you what you need to do. The siren-like sound will last for up to 10 seconds, including phones switched to silent.

To find out more, or check if an alert is genuine, go to gov.uk/alerts.

UPDATES

On Friday 7th April 2023, Scottish Fire and Rescue service received several hoax calls in relation to properties being on fire within Perth City Centre. A 23 year old male has been reported to the Procurator Fiscal in relation to this.

On Friday 7th April 2023, at Broxden Park and Ride, Perth a 64 year old male was arrested and charged for drink driving.

On Friday 7th April 2023, Crieff Road, Perth, a 38 year old male was arrested and charged for drinking driving.

On Tuesday 11th April 2023, a 33 year old male was arrested in relation to carrying a knife within the area of Kinnoull Street, Perth.

On High Street, Alyth, between 3:30pm and 3:45 pm on Saturday 8th April 2023, a 33 year old male was arrested and charged in relation to various road traffic incidents.

During the last week 6 drivers have been found to be without insurance, 1 had no licence and 1 with no MOT.

RECENT INCIDENTS

About 00:30am, Friday 7th April 2023, at Crammond Place, Perth a white Ford Transit van was broken into and a quantity of tools were stolen. (CR/42690/23)

Between 2am and 2:30am on Friday 7th April 2023, a 19 year old male was assaulted within the Bank Nightclub, South Methven Street, Perth. There are two suspects who are both male (CR/43105/23)

About 5pm on Wednesday 5th April 2023, a grey Vauxhall panel van that was parked on High Street, Blairgowrie was damaged by a white Ford Transit Van (CR/43486/23)

On Friday 7th April at 11pm, two motor vehicles were set on fire that were parked on Church Street, Crieff. (CR/42894/23)

Between 8am and 10am on Friday 7th April 2023 a blue Ford Focus motor vehicle that was parked within a hotel car park, Ferntower Road, Crieff was damaged (CR/43132/23)

On Friday 7th April 2023 between 7:30pm and 8pm, the pitch and putt hut at The Atholl Place, Pitlochry was set on fire (CR/44475/23)

Anyone with any information that may be useful should contact Tayside Division on 101 or any police officer, quoting the crime reference number listed at each incident. Alternatively information can be passed anonymously via the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Regards,

Tom Leonard, Chief Inspector

Local Area Commander, Perth and Kinross

FURTHER INFORMATION AND INTERNET LINKS

As we receive reports of crime, the information is shared on https://www.pkcommunitywatch.co.uk/

I would encourage you to sign up for notifications.

Guidance on how to protect your property is available via Community Watch as well as on the Police Scotland Website, just click or copy and paste the following link:-

https://www.scotland.police.uk/advice-and-information/

Keep up to date with everything we are doing and all appeals by visiting the following sites:-

https://twitter.com/policescotland

https://www.facebook.com/PoliceScotland

http://www.scotland.police.uk/

http://www.pkcommunitywatch.co.uk/