THE festive season is always a busy time in East Lothian, with many people travelling to the region to spend Christmas and New Year with family and friends.

Officers across East Lothian have been liaising with our partner agencies for some time in preparation of events. Throughout the county your local community officers and community action team will be out on high-visibility patrols, working hard to ensure Christmas is as peaceful as it should be for every one of us.

While the big day is about having fun for most people, it can also be a very difficult time of year for others. I want to let you all know that we are here if you need us.

My officers have been circulating advice and assistance through the East Lothian Twitter and Facebook messages. There is no room for complacency as we approach our Hogmanay celebrations, with more advice and tips to be issued on the best ways to stay safe.

The New Year is a time to reflect on the past 12 months and it’s fair to say that 2016 has had its fair share of challenges but also notable successes such as the many tremendous events hosted in East Lothian. I’m thinking of the celebration of the bicentenary of Musselburgh Racecourse which Her Majesty the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh attended in July, the Riding of the Marches in Musselburgh and the airshow to name a few.

It is my own resolution for 2017 to build on the good work already achieved and I’m especially keen to build stronger links with the communities we serve and address more of the issues you tell us are your priorities.

Police officers are part of communities, and we all need to work together to make our streets safe and to look after vulnerable members of our communities.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish the East Lothian public, our relevant partners and all of our emergency service colleagues a very merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year.