FUNDING has been agreed for a new cut-out police officer – after her predecessor was stolen while on duty.

The cut-out officers – also known as Jim and Jemima – are used in various places throughout the county in a bid to deter people from speeding.

Community officers regularly put their ‘colleagues’ in known hotspots to get drivers to slow down – and then real officers carry out speed checks in the same areas at a later date.

However, PC Jemima was stolen last summer after she had been put in place on Dunbar’s Belhaven Road.

Now, Dunbar and East Linton ward’s four community councils – Dunbar, Dunpender, East Lammermuir and West Barns – have come together to provide the £200 to buy a new friend for PC Jim.

PC Jemima had been put in place near the entrance to Belhaven Hill School last July but, during the evening between 8.30pm and 9.40pm, the chain or lock keeping her secure was forced and her top half was stolen.

At the time, Constable Gavin Ross, the Dunbar and East Linton community officer, said: “It is very, very disappointing.”