As this is my first column of 2025, I want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Happy New Year. I hope it was a safe and enjoyable occasion for you all and you were able to see out 2024 in style.
Given our proximity to Edinburgh, some of you may have had plans to attend the Capital’s annual Hogmanay Street Party and would have been left understandably disappointed when the event was cancelled because of the adverse weather we experienced in the days leading up to December 31.
The safety of all of the attendees and performers for this event is the most important consideration for Police Scotland, the local authority and the event organisers and the decision to cancel was the correct choice.
Nevertheless, however, I hope if you had been scheduled to attend, you found other arrangements where you could appropriately celebrate New Year.
While the high winds that halted the Street Party have (for the time being) subsided, weather continues to present challenges for the public and I feel it’s prudent to issue some useful safety and crime prevention advice at this time to prevent the typical accidents and crimes we can see occurring as a result of these conditions.
First and foremost, please remember that the recent drop in temperature has seen roads across West Lothian become frozen and black ice is a particular threat currently.
With that in mind, please ensure you drive appropriately for these conditions and do not travel at excessive speeds as it is far easier to lose control of your vehicle when the roads are slippy. Please also keep in mind that braking times are impacted, so driving while distracted enhances your risk of being involved in an accident. Stay safe and stay alert when using the road network.
I’d also like to remind the public that opportunistic criminals are always looking to take advantage of situations that prevent themselves and so if you do need to clear ice and snow from your vehicle before commencing your journey then please do not leave it unattended as you do so.
It can be tempting to leave the engine running and seek shelter indoors while you wait for the vehicle to heat up and frost to thaw, but this can allow thieves the chance to enter and drive away with your vehicle, so please don’t risk it.
For pedestrians, motorcycle riders, cyclists and horse riders, the current extended periods of darkness continue to provide challenges to you too and so when you are out on the roads, please ensure you always remain visible and travel responsibly.
Looking ahead to this year, the focus of local policing teams in your area will continue to be addressing the crimes and issues that most adversely affect your community.
This will require continued engagement with local residents and businesses, as well as elected members. These interactions are vital in helping us identify policing priorities and create a tailored response, so please take all opportunities to engage with us, wherever they arise.
We know from experience that prevention is a successful tool to tackle crime trends and so we’ll be doing lots of intervention and diversionary work alongside key partners to encourage young people within our communities to make positive life choices and deter them from getting involved in criminal activity. I’ll discuss more of this work in future columns throughout 2025.
As always, the region will continue to host a range of events throughout the year, as well as supporting business as usual policing on a daily basis.
Whatever is required, we will be there, so please don’t hesitate to contact us if you are in need of a police response. Dial 999 in an emergency and 101 for non-urgent policing matters.
Once again, Happy New Year and all the best for 2025.
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