I HOPE you have all enjoyed a safe bonfire season.

My police officers were out and about in various places over the last week and I took the opportunity of turning out for a patrol with them on Friday evening as part of our additional patrols over the weekend. I’m pleased to report that this particular evening, although busy, was uneventful and as ever I’m very grateful for the work of all our partners in the lead-up to this particular period in terms of planning and preparation for many of the organised events, so it is encouraging to see them all pass safely.

The Divisional Police awards ceremony took place on Friday, October 27, at Queen Margaret University and I’m pleased to say that East Lothian officers carried off the award for bravery for the rescue I am about to describe.

About 4.30pm on Wednesday, August 2, police received a number of calls regarding a car that had come off the road on the A6093 between Haddington and Pencaitland. The driver and 11-year-old passenger were trapped in the car; they had crashed into a ditch and their vehicle was filling with water.

Officers Sergeant Garrett Hughes and Constables Marissa Kerr, Daniel Mould, Gareth Watt and Geoff Valentine attended the scene and located the car, which was partially hidden by undergrowth and lying on its side.

The officers quickly closed the road and climbed down into the ditch which, due to the heavy rain, was approximately three feet deep in water. The car was blocking the ditch and causing the water level to rise rapidly in a very short space of time.

Both persons in the car were clearly distressed and unable to free themselves from the vehicle and officers could see no other way of saving them apart from breaking one of the vehicle’s windows. Fortunately this was carried out before the car was completely filled with water and both casualties were removed safely from the vehicle and carried to the roadside before being transferred to hospital by ambulance colleagues.

In the event, both escaped serious injury but the bravery of the officers in the circumstances is, I’m sure you’ll agree, of the highest order and they were rightly recognised and presented with the award by Deputy Chief Constable Graham.

This incident is just one of many I could highlight and all the officers in East Lothian step into situations every day which require enormous bravery in putting their safety to one side to help people in need.