Falkirk area police recover drugs haul worth more than £20,000 in Operation Christmas initiative

Fourteen addresses were raided during what’s known as Operation Christmas, with 15 offenders reported in connection with various crimes under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Officers also charged 11 people with theft by shoplifting and recovered £2000 of stolen property.

Operation Christmas takes place each December in an effort to reassure the public, reduce crime and keep people safe over the festive period.

Chief Inspector Chris Stewart, Falkirk Area Commander, said: “I would like to thank my officers and our partners who contributed to the success of Operation Christmas in December last year.

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“This was a multi-agency operation which included police, the Scottish Ambulance Service, local substance recovery services and Falkirk BID.

“Police officers were deployed in our town centres across Falkirk to engage with the public and local businesses and to deter and detect anyone intent on coming into our town centres to commit crime.

“Officers carried out joint patrols with partners from local substance recovery services in an effort to ensure the most vulnerable were supported and diverted from committing crime.

“The well-established Safebase partnership initiative was implemented during the two weekends before Christmas, providing a safe facility for those who are vulnerable and in need of support.

“Safebase brings together a range of partners including Falkirk BID, the Ambulance Service and the Police and provides quick access to a safe place for those in need of assistance.

“This can range from people who have fallen or slipped and have a minor injury to people who are intoxicated and unable to care for themselves. It also reduces demand on frontline emergencies services including police officers and ambulance service personnel.”

Inspector Stewart added: “Operation Christmas was not only a success due to the commitment from officers and our partners, equally as important was the assistance we received from the public across Falkirk who provided us with valuable information and intelligence and positively engaged with officers.

“I would like to thank them also because, ultimately, we need the public to work with us and report concerns to us so we can take action and keep local communities safe.”

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