'Crime figures have plummeted in Port Glasgow thanks to community policing teams'

Councillor David Wilson has praised local officers on the beat - and community wardens - for making local streets safer.

He says a visible presence on the streets is acting as a strong deterrent to crime and disorder and added that the area is the quietest it has been for over a decade.

Councillor Wilson said: "In my ward during the whole month of May police attended 40 incidents and there were nine warden calls.

"I believe because we have police out on foot patrol crime is down in Port Glasgow and Kilmacolm.

"In 12 years as a councillor, this is the quietest I have known it.

"On the ground I get the statistics every month, police come to my surgery and attend community council meetings to report on what they have been doing.

"Crime figures have been the average for over a year.

"At local tenants' association meetings I attend wardens also report that matters are quiet."

He pinpointed local teams as instrumental in the success story.

Mr Wilson says the improvement is even more notable as there is now only one police station left in Inverclyde.

Councillor Wilson said: "We are very fortunate to have some excellent police officers and excellent wardens.

"The fact that they are out there in the community prevents crime and anti-social behaviour.

"Their presence has had a big effect."