New top cop to head up policing plans
West Lothian’s plans for policing and partnership working are being launched with a new local area commander to take them forward.
The West Lothian Police Plan 20172020 prioritises two key themes which police will work together on with West Lothian Council, other key agencies and communities to ensure the area remains a safe place to live.
Leading work on these themes is Chief Inspector Liz Macleod, who has joined the Senior Command Team for the Lothians and Scottish Borders with responsibility for local policing in West Lothian.
CI Macleod said: “I’m delighted to be returning to West Lothian after five years and am grateful for the hard work that has gone in to producing the plan which I’m very pleased to be able to introduce.
“The Police Plan deliberately takes a broad view reflecting the changing face of policing and the part that we can all play in improving outcomes in our area.
“It has been developed in conjunction with those who will come together to deliver it, with input from the community via the ‘Your View Counts’ survey and consultation with our key partner agencies.
“We have distilled the various areas that we have all identified as ones we want to improve down to two themes - protecting and supporting those most at risk, and ensuring our communities are resilient, cohesive and safe. These themes present many opportunities for police, partners and local people to reduce harm and try to prevent crimes and other problems from occurring, rather than a more reactive response.
“This is in line with the Policing 2026 programme that has been developed to help us deliver a Scottish policing service fit for the challenges we face now and in the future, as well as other more local plans.
“These two themes will be present in everything we do, but I want to reassure the community that any emerging concerns will also be incorporated into this work - you can complete our online survey at any time and we will listen and respond. You can view our Police Plan on our website, and myself and my Community Inspectors will provide regular updates on how we are achieving the priorities through social and local media.
“With the continued hard work and dedication of all staff, I am confident that we will continue to deliver a service that our communities can be proud of.”
Visit www. scotland. police. uk/ your-community/the-lothians-andscottish-borders/west-lothian to view the West Lothian Police Plan 20172020 and www. scotland. police. uk/ yourviewcounts to have your say on policing in your area.