THE month of January seems to have flown past, with events globally from the election results in the USA to the progression of Brexit being centre stage.

When it comes to global events, Safer Internet Day is on Tuesday, February 7, to promote the safe and positive use of digital technology for children and young people all over the world.

Coordinated in the UK by the UK Safer Internet Centre, the day sees hundreds of organisations unite to raise awareness of online safety issues and run events and activities. This year’s theme and slogan is ‘Be the change: Unite for a better Internet’: there’s more info at www.scotland.police.uk/keep-safe or www.saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/2017

A number of primary and high schools in East Lothian are supporting the day and using the online resources from the Safer Internet website to do so. My youth community officers are delivering presentations across a number of schools in the county and to local youth groups over the coming weeks, which will also see the local delivery officer PC Allen Paul giving out safety information on social media and other outlets.

On other matters, the ‘Your View Counts’ survey, which allows communities in East Lothian to have a say on local and national policing priorities which then inform the creation of the local and national policing plans, will have been in place for a year this April. This increases access and engagement with the communities we serve and is an inclusive process.

The survey, which is anonymous, can be found at www.scotland.police.uk/yourviewcounts, and I would encourage all readers of the Courier to become involved; this is your chance to give us your views on policing at a local and national level.

I am committed to working together with our local communities – your opinion is valued and allows us to identify issues that are important to residents across the whole of East Lothian.

This is an important survey and something I believe can help us work more closely with our communities and partners, enhancing the excellent work already undertaken through community councils and community and police partnerships. I am actively reviewing the feedback and views to ensure that this informs the next local policing plan for East Lothian as we move forward this year.