I HOPE you all had an enjoyable festive season with much good cheer.

As we all face a new year in Merkinch it is heartening to reflect on what we have all achieved as a community in the past 12 months from the point of view of policing the area. Since I have come to Merkinch I have been pleasantly surprised by the positive attitude and willingness to help in the fight against crime. There appears to be a determination on the part of residents to no longer accept that such things as vandalism, theft and other crimes happen as a part of life.

The Police on their own do not have all the answers and we rely tremendously on the co-operation of the community and all the other agencies which also serve the community. We, as a Police service, have close, strong links with these agencies and together with the community are striving to make Merkinch a safer and more desirable place to live.

I would urge every one of you not to accept crime as part of everyday life, but to come forward and speak out against the few. If you see or hear anything which you are not happy about, contact the Police or any other agency who can pass it on.

Remember you are not wasting Police time passing on any information; that piece might be the last part of a puzzle we have been waiting to complete.

Merkinch Community Beat Officer A. Stewart