Latest news with #StevenBertram
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
'Glasgow is a safe place for women' says top cop
A TOP COP says he believes Glasgow is a 'safe place' for women despite 'alarming' stats showing a rise in reported rapes and sexual assaults. Detective Superintendent Steven Bertram says while he understands concern over the numbers, he doesn't believe the city is unsafe. He told the Glasgow Times: 'I think it is a safe place. 'I get frustrated when we do lots of good things. There's lots of good things in the community and there's a lot of safety, and then one thing will happen and it sets everything back because of the actions of one person or a couple of people. 'But overall, for the amount of people in Glasgow and the size of Glasgow, it is a safe city, it is safe for women and children.' It comes after recent figures show the recorded number of rapes and attempted rapes in Glasgow has gone up from 243 in 2015/16 to 494 in 2024/25, marking a 103% rise. The increase in Scotland during that time is 60%. In that same period in Glasgow, the number of sexual assaults has gone up from 619 to 800. Det Supt Bertram agrees the stats are 'alarming' but says in context he thinks in part it is a sign of Police Scotland handling those crimes better. He said: 'When I look at it, it is alarming to see the number but when I look at the context, I'd bring that alarm down a bit and I do get comfort thinking we are doing things a lot better. 'We are getting that engagement. 'I would be worried if I didn't have the same context there and it isn't just a massive rise in people being able to commit sexual assaults.' He added: 'Those figures will be alarming for a lot of women and parents, but I think they need some peace of mind that the majority will go out, have a good time and come back unscathed and that's the way we want it to be.' Det Supt Bertram says in the last 10 years, as well as Police Scotland changing how they handle complaints of rape, attempted rape and sexual assault and while there has also been a change in society. He said: 'I think people are more willing to talk about rape and sexual crimes, it's not the taboo thing it used to be. 'In that 10-year period a lot has changed in policing. 'Our approach to sexual crime and rape is different to what it is 10 years ago. 'We've got a better understanding of trauma, making sure our officers are trauma informed, we've got a better focus on victims and being really victim-focused as opposed to driven for performance. 'We see a lot of reporting of really good convictions, really good jail sentences getting handed out and you like to think if a victim was seeing that and thinking 'should I come forward' that's going to be encouragement that people are listening.' Det Supt Bertram also praised survivors who have spoken publicly both for helping police learn how to better work with victims to also inspire other women to come forward. He said: 'We've seen a lot of survivors of rape and sexual crime standing outside court telling their story about where the criminal justice process either let them down or what could be improved. 'We're really proactive in that and try and contact these people and say 'would you be willing to speak to us' and then try to bring them in 'talk to us, in our case what did we get wrong, what could we do better'. 'I think that's really important.' He continued: 'We've seen a lot of younger women coming forward to stand up and say 'I want to speak about this, I'm not bothered about being anonymous' and use that to encourage other people to come forward. 'I think that's really good and starts to show a different attitude from 'lets not talk about this because its taboo' to 'I want to tell you my story'. 'I think the more that that happens, then I think we're going to see a rise in reports.' Prevention work is one of the key things police are working on, an example of which is the THAT Guy campaign which Police Scotland started in 2021 which aims to reduce rape, serious sexual assault and harassment by having frank conversations with men about attitudes and behaviour around women. Det Supt Bertram said: 'Men are the problem, not all men, but they're also the solution. 'We've realised that, and we've changed out tact to how we approach the preventative side. 'So instead of saying what was that kind of victim blaming thing of 'don't do this, don't do that', actually you should be allowed to go out and enjoy yourself because that's your God-given right to do. 'The messaging has to go to men of 'you need to think about your own behaviour, you need to challenge your pals, don't be a bystander, do something about it'.' Earlier this year, there were several posts on social media from women saying they were following by men, particularly in the city centre, and left feeling intimidated. The Glasgow Times asked Det Supt Bertram if police in Glasgow had seen a rise in such incidents being reported. He said police in Glasgow 'didn't see that' but has encouraged people to report such incidents. He said: 'If anyone has a genuine concern, we'll always take things seriously, we're not saying because it's on social media and didn't get reported that it didn't happen but that if that comes into police as formal report it will be investigated.' To report a rape or sexual assault, Police Scotland can be contacted on 101. The Rape Crisis Scotland National Helpline can be contacted on 08088 01 03 02 daily from 6pm to midnight. In an emergency call 999. NHS Scotland provide dedicated Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCS) throughout Scotland. 'Archway' currently provides a service to Greater Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire, West Dunbartonshire, Argyle and Bute, Renfrewshire and Inverclyde. They can be contacted on 0141 211 8175.
Daily Record
30-04-2025
- Daily Record
Men charged for soliciting as Scots cops launch crackdown on kerb crawling
At least nine men have been charged with soliciting in Dundee amid a new police crackdown on kerb crawling. Cops in the city have also been arresting and charging anyone attempting to purchase sex. Officers are focusing on areas known for on street prostitution and have been engaging with people involved in sex work to make sure they are safe and signposted to support from local partner agencies. It has resulted in nine charges so far. This new approach was piloted in Aberdeen, and is now in action in Glasgow and Dundee, specifically in areas where on street prostitution remains an issue. It will also be adopted across the country where specific Operation Begonia patrols are in addition to regular police patrols. Detective Superintendent Steven Bertram, lead on Prostitution, Police Scotland, said: 'Prostitution brings a significant threat of risk and harm to people and communities. 'People involved in prostitution, most of whom are women, are particularly vulnerable to violence. 'Drug or alcohol related issues, or poverty, can drive people into prostitution, particularly on street. 'Our approach, as demonstrated in Aberdeen, Glasgow and Dundee, focuses on safety and welfare, engaging with people and signposting them to support available from our partners, and hopefully reducing the risk of violence. 'This is about building trust and confidence in policing. It's about safer communities and supported victims. And it's about tackling violence against women and girls in all its forms.' Siobhan Brown, Minister for Victims and Community Safety, joined Police Scotland officers in Dundee last night, Tuesday, April 29, to see the service's new national approach to prostitution in action. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Victims Minister Siobhan Brown said: 'I was pleased to visit Dundee to learn more about Police Scotland's new national approach to tackle demand for prostitution, Operation Begonia, which recognises women involved in prostitution as victims of exploitation and signposts them to local support organisations, whilst also challenging and deterring men's demand. 'This is an early outcome of our joint work with Police Scotland and this approach, with a focus on safety and support for those involved in commercial sexual exploitation, will help to contribute to better outcomes for victims as well as safer communities.'
The Courier
30-04-2025
- The Courier
9 men charged since launch of Dundee police prostitution operation
Nine men have been charged since the launch of a Dundee policing operation to clamp down on prostitution. Officers have been targeting areas of the city well known for on-street prostitution and engaging with those involved as part of Operation Begonia. The operation is part of the force's national approach to combating prostitution in cities across Scotland. Police and partner agencies are trying to identify and help disadvantaged and vulnerable women involved. The patrols also aim to tackle kerb-crawling from those looking to use prostitution. Three of these patrols have led to nine men being charged with soliciting since the operation began in Dundee in January. Superintendent Keith Duncan said: 'There's always been a demand for prostitution or services of a sexual nature in Dundee. 'Police officers are being tasked to go out in that area where we know prostitutes frequent in Dundee, which is a particularly small area within the centre of Dundee. 'We will go out there with plain-clothed officers and unmarked cars to look for the telltale signs of individuals looking to engage in the services of sex workers. 'We will engage with them, and if there's evidence to suggest they're taking part, we will absolutely charge them. 'In terms of the women and girls involved, we will look to introduce them to that sustainable pathway through public sector and third sector agencies such as WRASAC (Women's Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre) and Women's Hub.' It is understood at least 15 women have been referred to partner agencies for support since January. Patrols have been carried out in Maryfield and Coldside, where prostitutes are known to frequent, including on Tuesday night when The Courier joined officers taking part in the operation. Detective Superintendent Steven Bertram, the force's lead on prostitution, said: 'Prostitution brings a significant threat of risk and harm to people and communities. 'People involved in prostitution, most of whom are women, are particularly vulnerable to violence. 'Drug or alcohol-related issues, or poverty, can drive people into prostitution, particularly on the street. 'Our approach focuses on safety and welfare, engaging with people and signposting them to support available from our partners, and hopefully reducing the risk of violence.'
