Marine

Marine Scotland in joint Agency activity at Buckie harbours and ports

March 30, 2015 by Marine Scotland Communications No Comments | Category Collaborations, Compliance

Officers from Marine Scotland Compliance and Police Scotland’s Border Policing Command and Aberdeenshire and Moray Division have been involved in a week of engagement activity at harbours and ports within then Buchan area.

The activity also saw support from the Border Force, HM Revenue and Customs, National Crime Agency and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

Detective Inspector Stuart Clark of Border Policing Command said: “A key priority of Border Policing Command is protecting the UK border. We have a strong presence at Scotland’s major air and sea ports, and it is vital that we work closely with local officers policing the communities who live and work in the harbours and ports around the extensive Scottish coastline.

“During this week and along with partners in Border Force, HM Revenue and Customs, National Crime Agency, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and Marine Scotland we’ve engaged with the fishing and commercial maritime communities to encourage closer liaison. We’ve also used this opportunity to carry out briefings in relation to ‘Project Kracken’ to those who work in the maritime environment, with the aim of increasing vigilance and keeping people safe.”

Buchan Community Policing Team Inspector Simon Reid, of Aberdeenshire and Moray Division said: “The harbours and small ports within the Banff and Buchan area are of vital importance both commercially and recreationally to the local communities we serve. Community Policing Team officers already enjoy regular visits to and positive contact with those who work and make use of these ports.

“This engagement week has enabled our local officers to work alongside specialist officers from Border Policing Command to share skills and develop their experience in this area. I am particularly grateful for the support from the partner organisations that have also been present and worked alongside local officers. Initiatives such as Project Kracken are an important means by which to ensure that we remain resilient towards criminal or suspicious activity which may affect that.”

Project Kracken is a Joint Police, National Crime Agency and Border Force initiative to increase vigilance along the United Kingdom’s coastline and maritime environment. Anyone who sees or hears anything they would like to report can do so by contacting Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if you wish to remain anonymous.

More Information

• Marine Scotland Compliance

Comments