COMMUNITY
Higgins checks in as EK’s new inspector
Andrea O’Neill
Aidan Higgins has vowed to tackle trouble hotspots after checking in as East Kilbride and Avondale police’s new inspector.
Inspector Higgins has been appointed to the community management role at East Kilbride police office following the departure of Andrew MacDonald.
And with 17 years of police service under his belt – including spells as a response police inspector in several towns across North Lanarkshire – he is now looking forward to his new role working in the heart of the East Kilbride and Avondale communities.
He told the News: “From what I can see there is a real community spirit in East Kilbride.
“People are proud of their town, and so they should be.
“When I look at East Kilbride, and draw on my experience working in North Lanarkshire and Glasgow, East Kilbride seems, to me, to be a good place to live and work.
“In my new role as a community inspector I will be more focused on the geographical area so I will be focusing on solving recurring problems and ensuring there is good local engagement with the police for residents and community groups.”
Inspector Higgins, 41, added: “So far I’m pleased to say that there is nothing too serious in terms of violence in East Kilbride.
“I am aware of issues of anti-social behaviour and disorder in East Kilbride South [Greenhills, Whitehills, Westwood, Mossneuk].
“Young people are drinking alcohol and disorder can follow on from that.
“However, this is no different than anywhere else in Lanarkshire.
“There are always going to be groups of young people who will gather together and obtain alcohol illegally and this is something that we focus a lot of our energy on. We don’t want our young people consuming alcohol with the dangers that can bring and the disorder and nuisance factors that can come from it.” 291117police_04
Theft by house break-in is another recurring crime, highlighted by the inspector, which continues to blight.
A spate of break-ins at isolated rural properties in Strathaven under the cover of darkness, and more recently in the St Leonards and Calderwood areas of East Kilbride, are being investigated by police.
And in an effort to protect the public over the busy festive season, Inspector Higgins revealed extra patrols are be be deployed in the town centre to keep shoppers and Christmas party-goers safe.
“Issues can range from parking to drug dealing and everything in between but they’re all important in their own ways and we are here to help”, added Inspector Higgins. “We’re here to improve the community for people and I would encourage residents to get in touch with us on 101 or anonymously on Crimestoppers.
“You have a local problem-solving team dedicated to your communities and we really want to engage with our communities and do everything we possibly can to resolve the local issues and recurring problems you may have.
“I want my team to be an integral part of the community and be involved in everything that counts.”
He added: “We have a role to play in improving things and that is what we are going to do.”