Freshers are target of campaign

The crime crackdown returned to Stirling city centre to coincide with Freshers’ Week.

As students started their courses at Stirling University, Police Scotland and Stirling Council began the second phase of Operation Steadfast to help them settle into their new surroundings safely.

Operation Steadfast – Freshers’ aims to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, protect young people from harm, and educate young drivers of the dangers and consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol

It will run until Sunday and will provide daytime education at the university, with targeted visits also made to Stirling city centre and licensed premises between 8pm and 2am.

Councillor Maureen Bennison, convenor of the council’s public safety committee, said: “The start of the new academic year always brings a lot of new faces to Stirling and we welcome them with open arms. We want them to feel at home straight away.”

Councillor Chris Kane said: “We had great feedback from businesses and residents about Operation Steadfast in the summer when the city experiences one of its busiest spells so it made perfect sense to roll it out again for Freshers’ Week.”

Police Scotland will work with Stirling Council, including Youth Services, Safer Communities and Licensing, along with Street Pastors and the Alcohol and Drug Partnership.