Eight arrests in drugs raids

I took up post as the Community Inspector for Livingston and East- Calder in midMay.

And I’ve spent the last month meeting wi t h members of the community, local Councillors and key partners to listen to what the important issues for the community are and how my team can best address them.

Residents in the Ladywell area will have noticed an increased police presence over the last few weeks.

The Community Action Team and ward officers have been focussing on a small group of youths who are responsible for causing antisocial behaviour including setting wheelie bins alight.

We are working with our partners at West Lothian Council including Education, Youth Justice, Youth Work along with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, to focus on those responsible and address their actions.

The local officers have been supported by further resources from the FlexiblePolicing Unit, who will continue to provide a high visibility presence in the area and challenge the behaviour of those negatively impacting on the quality of life of local residents.

The illegal use of off-road motorcycles is an issue we will be focussing on over the summer, Operation Pinpoint will disrupt and deter those responsible. I would ask anyone with information on those who possess such bikes and are using them illegally to contact us on 101 or make an anonymous report to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Rest assured they will receive a visit from one of the Community Policing Team.

Our Summer Road Safety Campaign is also underway, with regular deployments of Community Officers using hand held radar devices to enforce and educate speeding motori s t s . Follow our activities at www. facebook. com/ westlothianpolice.

The Community Team have been working with proactive CID colleagues to tackle drug crime across West Lothian.

Last week alone, eight people were arrested following searches at six homes in Livingston, Armadale, Bathgate, Whitburn and Breich.

Tackling drug crime and the harm it causes to our communities is a priority for us and we will continue to act on intelligence from the public and carry out enforcement activity.

For the end of term, the Community Policing Team will be out across the county along with staff from the West Lothian Drug and Alcohol team, West Lothian Youth Project and West Lothian Council, to ensure the start of the hols pass off safely. Have a safe and enjoyable summer.