Police Scotland has praised the public for their good behaviour during the 2013 Open Championship at Muirfield.
Many thousands of spectators visited East Lothian over the four days of The Open, and police were called to deal with only a handful of incidents in that time.
A total of nine people were arrested for a variety of offences, including fraudulent ticket sales and shoplifting.
A joint transport management operation undertaken by Police Scotland in partnership with East Lothian Council ensured that local roads ran smoothly, and allowed for the safe transportation of spectators to and from Muirfield.
Superintendent Phil O’Kane from Police Scotland has led the policing operation at The Open.
He said: “Our officers have enjoyed a fantastic response from the public as they carried out their duties, and I want to thank people for their good behaviour and co-operation, which has enhanced what has been a memorable event for East Lothian.
“The policing operation has been focused on keeping people safe, and I am glad to say that our officers have only had to deal with a small number of incidents during The Open, mostly for minor offences.
“In addition, the transport management plan put in place to allow for travel to and from the course has worked very well, and this is in large part thanks to the co-operation we have enjoyed from the public, as well as assistance from partner agencies.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the many partner agencies who undertook a variety of roles, both during the many months of planning that was undertaken to prepare for The Open, and during the Championship itself.”
Johnnie Cole-Hamilton, Executive Director – Championships at The R&A said: “We would like to thank the public for their co-operation and understanding during The Open Championship. They have arrived in large numbers each day and have been well behaved throughout the week.
“We have worked closely with a number of agencies including Police Scotland and East Lothian Council and this has helped ensure the smooth running of the Championship.”
The Chief Executive of East Lothian Council, Angela Leitch, also highlighted the success of the multi-agency partnership approach: “Preparing for an international sporting event on this scale was a huge task and I am delighted that it has been such a great success.
“The Council has worked with the R&A, the Police, transport providers and a range of other partners over many months to ensure that operationally, everything went as smoothly as possible. Special thanks are due however, to the numerous local businesses and residents who did so much to ensure that our visitors had such a great time here and will be left with memories of a superb event, held in the very best of weather on Scotland’s outstandingly beautiful Golf Coast.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
