Keep personal belongings safe this Xmas

This week the new“hub”will be opening at East Kilbride Shopping Centre with special events being held each day from Friday to Sunday.

The shopping centre is expected to be extremely busy with members of the public attending the launch of the hub and beginning their Christmas Shopping.

I would ask everyone who is planning on attending the shopping centre this weekend to be mindful of their personal safety.

As the shops become busier at this time of the year there tends to be an increase in thefts of purses through bag dipping.

I would ask that you are particularly careful with your purse/wallet ensuring that you keep them secure at all times and refrain from carrying large amounts of cash.

Please also keep your mobile phones safe in a zipped bag or closed pocket and not in open view where it could easily be stolen without notice, particularly if you are in a very crowded area or busy shop. If you are attending the shopping centre this weekend with young children please ensure that you keep them closely by your side at all times and arrange a meeting point somewhere within the centre in the event that any friends or family members wander off out of sight.

Please also be aware that the M74 will be closed this weekend at Junctions 4 and 5. This means that from 8pm on Friday 18th November 20146 until 6am on Monday 21st November 2016 the north and southbound of the M74 from Maryville to the Raith will be closed.

This closure will result in a signification disruption to traffic on the M74 and major delays are expected.