We just want people to stay safe and have fun

In the run up to Christmas we are focusing our efforts on keeping people safe so we can all enjoy the festive period in peace.

Last week we carried out a large number of coordinated house searches across the whole division targeting those supplying controlled drugs in our communities.

All the activity was linked to serious organised crime, often controlled by criminals making huge profits through targeting the vulnerable in society, exploiting them to use, buy and/or store drugs on their behalf, thus reducing the risk of the ‘Mr Bigs’ being detected.

Some of these searches are the culmination of months of painstaking work from our officers, therefore it is encouraging to see these positive results which in effect remove controlled drugs and drug dealers from our streets.

At the same time, we have increased our foot patrols for the festive period, providing a high visibility police presence, particularly around our nighttime economy which is seven days a week with the many Christmas parties taking place making our town centres busier and alcohol consumption greater also.

We continue to see too many people suffering from over consumption of alcohol leading to falls and trips, acts of violence and sexual crimes.

My message is clear, please enjoy your nights out safely. Control your alcohol consumption and make sure you are with someone who will look after you if you do inadvertently over consume.

We will also have plain clothed officers out and about looking to detect criminals involved with shoplifting, bag dipping and more.

At this time of year many families struggle with the financial pressures brought on by Christmas or suffer loneliness and this can have terrible consequences for people as we see a rise in people suffering from depression which can lead to suicidal thoughts.

Spare a minute for those around you who are less fortunate and ask yourself if you can spare a little of your time to reach out to those less fortunate and help support them.

An hour of your time may just save a life or cheer up someone living alone.

Last week I won £1,000 at a charity auction event which I am donating to local charities – split into four donations of £250, which in effect, will be £300 each when gift aid is added.

All I ask is that the recipients are a registered charity and will spend the money on buying children a gift this Christmas.

The recipients will be decided on Friday, December 14, with donations being decided by Graeme Binning, local senior officer of Scottish Fire & Rescue Service, PC Kirsty Boyd, Police Scotland’s police officer of the year and PCs Kenny MacKenzie and Laura Sayers, our two officers seriously injured in Greenock.

If you want to be considered for one of the donations please read my Twitter account @CSGordonCrossan where there is a thread asking for interested groups to post their request for funding.

I sincerely hope the money goes a little way to putting a smile on the faces of some children less fortunate than most.

I have made my own personal decision to give one of the £250 donations to Erskine, Supporting our Veterans.

The uptake to date has been slow but I hope this is down to the fact that not everyone uses Twitter so please do come forward if you would like to be considered for one of the donations.

Lastly, we will also be increasing our patrols on the roads looking for those who ignore warnings and drive while under the influence of drink or drugs.

I would like to remind people that, this will include morning patrols targeting the ‘morning after’ drivers who are still under the influence of alcohol.

Don’t risk your liberty, employment and car for the cost of a bus or taxi home.