Police launch annual festive campaign

Police in Edinburgh have today launched their annual campaign to keep the public safe during the festive period.

As part of Operation Greenland 2015, officers across the city will be out on the streets giving shoppers and revellers festive safety tips. This will include guidance on how to protect your valuables when shopping or partying, helpful tips on protecting yourself online and vital advice on safeguarding your home and its contents.

Over the coming month, hundreds of thousands of people are expected to visit the city centre and surrounding areas to shop, socialise and take part in the range of events the Capital will play host to – including the European Market, Street of Light and Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street party.

A special social media advent calendar has also been created and the public will be able to view a police safety message on both Facebook and Twitter every day from the 1st to the 25th December.

There will be an increase of over 50% in officers deployed to the city centre over the festive period, which includes resources from across the city and national units including the Mounted Branch and Specialist Operations.

Speaking at the launch of Operation Greenland 2015 within the Jenners Department Store Chief Superintendent Mark Williams, Divisional Commander for the City of Edinburgh, said:

“Edinburgh is one of the most amazing cities in the world to spend the festive season and we have been working hard to make sure all residents and visitors have wonderful memories of their Christmas and New Year in the Capital.

“Jenners is an iconic department store and I’m sure locals and visitors alike will have fond memories of coming in over the festive period to see the beautiful Christmas tree and displays. That’s why it is so relevant to have our launch here.

“My officers will be out on high-visibility patrols over this month speaking to Edinburgh’s communities, offering simple but useful advice on keeping yourself and your belongings safe. We have also worked really closely with a number of partner agencies to provide appropriate police resources to the range of events taking place in the city, including the Torchlight Procession and Hogmanay Street Party.

“This year, we’ll be also taking to social media with our social media advent calendar and will issue a relevant festive safety message during the run up to Christmas. People can receive these messages by liking our Edinburgh Police Division Facebook page and following our @EdinburghPolice Twitter account.”