As you will have read in the Courier, I have now commenced my role as the local area commander for East Lothian.

I am delighted to be in this post and look forward to working with all sections of the community and our partners to make East Lothian an even better place to live, work and visit.

I must record my thanks to my predecessor Chief Inspector Colin Brown, who did an excellent job in delivering a policing style that you expected and demanded.

One of Colin’s final tasks as local area commander was to develop and agree a Local Policing Plan (LPP) for 2014-2017 and a Multi Member Ward Plan (MMW) for 2014. We consulted with many people in developing the plan and in particular the public consultation survey was very useful as it allowed us to obtain your views on policing in your area and what your thoughts were on future local policing priorities.

Your ideas and issues were properly considered and as a result of these discussions the policing plans were created, and we believe correctly, it identifies local problem areas and concerns and explains how the police are going to address them.

These plans were presented to the local council and the elected members of the council agreed with their content.

One of the tools we have to address these priorities is stop-and-search legislation. By using these procedures in a balanced and measured way, we can achieve fantastic results in tackling, head-on, the issues within both the LPPs and MMW plans.

By stopping and searching individuals in public and recovering alcohol, drugs and weapons we are addressing the local priorities: reducing anti-social behaviour; tackling substance misuse; and reducing violence.

By achieving these goals we are creating a safe and secure environment for you and your families to work and reside in.

Recent examples of this form of proactive policing include where officers in Haddington, acting on recent intelligence, stopped and searched an individual and he was found to be in possession of controlled substances. This person’s address was subsequently searched on warrant and further drug users and substances were recovered within.

Another example of a positive stop-and-search procedure that addressed a number of the priorities within the local plans was when an issue surrounding the drinking of alcohol by youths in Musselburgh and Dunbar was identified.

By searching the individuals involved and subsequent investigation, we were able to identify the adults who were responsible for purchasing the drink in the first place, thus reducing possible acts of violence and anti-social behaviour.

These are only two examples of where stop-and-search procedures have been positive and instrumental in addressing the priorities identified by the public of East Lothian.

I review ongoing and developing issues in the county to ensure my officers are deployed to the right areas at the right time, so we and our partners in the community address the issues highlighted by you and tackle the priorities in the LLP and MMW plans.