Festive beat for police

As many work colleagues enjoy the start of office Christmas parties, and one year on since the reduced drink drive limit was introduced in Scotland, officers will be stepping up patrols in the build-up to the festive season.
Sergeant Steven Wilson, of Annan Police, said: “All officers will be committed to carrying out high visibility patrols and static road checks on people who we suspect may have consumed alcohol or are under the influence of drugs, who will be
required to give a breath test for analysis.”
And Sgt Wilson says the community policing team will also be out and about visiting shops and licensed premises in the build-up to Christmas and the New Year.
He added: “The focus during the day will be on shoplifters and we will be targeting visitor attractions like Gretna Gateway Outlet Village and the Blacksmiths Shop at Gretna Green as well as High Street shops and town centres in Langholm, Gretna and Annan.
“During the later afternoon and evening the focus will shift on visits to licensed premises such as hotels, pubs, clubs and bars as well as off-sales to make sure the staff continue to be vigilant and refuse to sell alcohol to anybody they suspect may be buying it for those who are underage.”