Operation Monarda is Police Scotland’s national campaign to tackle doorstep crime and is running throughout April.

Doorstep crime consists of two main types of offence – bogus callers and rogue traders, both of which can have a devastating effect if you fall victim to them. It is a crime that can affect anyone but we are aware that, in particular, elderly citizens can be targeted due to perceived vulnerability.

As part of Lothians and Scottish Borders Division’s involvement in the national campaign, officers from East Lothian have been carrying out increased mobile patrols and static road checks throughout the county in an effort to identify those involved. Officers have also been engaging with the public and delivering numerous talks to lunch clubs and elderly groups. East Lothian is a safe place to live, work and visit but there are certain individuals who will breach the trust of our community.

On April 5, two males called at an address on Dirleton Avenue, North Berwick, stating they were from the complainer’s regular window cleaning firm and her regular cleaners were on holiday. After cleaning the windows, they asked for payment in cash as the ‘accounts dept.’ was closed. No money was handed over.

The bona-fide window company were contacted and they had no knowledge of these males. Anyone with a similar experience or with information on these individuals should contact Police Scotland on 101.

On April 6, a 25-year-old male was detained by police after being found in a rear garden at Campie Road, Musselburgh. He was subsequently charged with one count of breaking into a house, seven break-ins to garden sheds and two further thefts.

Local Community Inspector Ian Mackay has been involved in the planning of Dunbar’s John Muir Festival.

Local community officers and officers from further afield will be on duty to work with other organisations to ensure everyone enjoys the celebrations. Please take the opportunity to speak with the officers for a friendly chat or to get help with directions etc.

As a 19-year-old lad, I joined the Metropolitan Police and was posted to the ‘Del Boy’ borough of Peckham.

Unfortunately, I had to wear the rather uncomfortable and cumbersome English-style police helmet.

Whilst the helmet made me look about three inches taller than I actually was, it proved to be my downfall when chasing after a young athletic criminal who had just made off on foot from a stolen car.

I was making good progress when off came the helmet, my left foot got entangled in the useless piece of equipment and I fell –with blood, sweat and embarrassment seeping out of every part of my body!

To make matters worse, about 30 passengers in a London bus witnessed the whole event!

The moral of the story is this: if you want to be a copper and be a successful thief taker, join the Scottish police as they wear flat caps!