Highland and Islands divisional commander Chief Superintendent Conrad Trickett sends festive message

Outgoing police commander for the Highlands and Islands Chief Superintenden Conrad Trickett has released a festive message.

In it he praises a return to normality for communities across the region following the heights of the Covid-19 pandemic.

And he also encourages residents to have their say on the future of policing in the area by taking part in a survey.

Ch Supt Trickett said: "The past 12 months have been an extremely busy and demanding period for policing in Scotland.

"Recent figures show that the numbers of crimes reported have returned to similar levels we saw before the Covid pandemic, and as divisional commander for Highland and Islands Division I have been in the privileged position to witness the tireless work carried out each day by our officers, staff and volunteers to help keep you safe.

"Despite the challenges faced by the public sector as a whole, I am proud to say that we are in a strong position as we enter the New Year in terms of finding innovative ways to help keep communities safe alongside our partners.

"There will undoubtedly be challenges to face as we head in 2023 - and I know that life is extremely tough for many families at the moment – but Police Scotland continues to increase our understanding of the impact of cost of living, and will continue to engage with our communities to ensure our service is meeting your needs.

"I would encourage you to take part in the ‘Your Police’ survey, further details of which can be found on the Police Scotland website.

"It’s your opportunity to influence local policing by highlighting areas of concern and good practice."

He also address some of the ups and downs of the last year and urges people to stay safe over the festive season.

He said: "It’s at this time of year my thoughts also turn to the people for whom the festive period sadly won’t be the same.

"There have been too many occasions during the last 12 months where police officers and staff have had to provide support to families facing unimaginable tragedy, and I can only hope that the outpouring of compassion I consistently see from communities across the Highlands and Islands has provided them with some form of comfort.

"Given the nature of the work of emergency services, it will be business-as-usual for many officers and staff over the next couple of weeks. Our priority is to ensure the festive period is safe for everyone and I would urge you to take care of yourself and others while enjoying the festivities.

"Know your travel plans and look out for friends."

Another key priority for Ch Supt Trickett, ahead of his departure from the role in the New Year is the ongoing battle to stamp out drink and drug driving.

He said: "Ensuring the safety of our roads is also a priority for police therefore do not drink and drive.

"Think about the morning after too - alcohol can still be in your system the next day if you’ve had a late night, and tiredness can impede your ability to drive safely. During our festive road policing campaign which launched on December 1, officers have stopped 16 drink and 16 drugs drivers so far – there is absolutely no excuse for this."

He added: "During the past weekend, a number of break-ins were also reported to police so please be mindful of your home security during these darker nights when you will likely have more valuables in your home. Keep Christmas presents out of sight, close blinds or curtains at night to prevent people from looking in, and remember to lock all your doors even if you are indoors.

"For more tips on how to reduce your chances of becoming a victim of acquisitive crime visit the Police Scotland website.

"Above all, I would like to wish everyone a safe, happy and enjoyable Christmas and New Year. Thank you for your continued support."