Festive Ayr town centre campaign kicks off.

Dec 2 2011 by Lisa Boyle, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

STAY safe this festive season.

That’s the message to Christmas shoppers and revellers from police and council chiefs.

For South Ayrshire Community Safety Partnership are working hard to make sure everyone enjoys the festivities.

A four-week initiative is under way with police providing additional high visibility patrols and officers targeting criminal behaviour, in particular street crime and shoplifting.

Officers from the mounted branch will also be involved to help ensure Ayr town centre is a trouble-free place this Christmas.

The existing Safe Ayr initiative will also be enhanced to include additional taxi marshalling during peak times, and environmental patrols.

Chief Inspector Neil Kerr said: “This year, we are working very closely with our partners to ensure that everyone who lives in, or visits, South Ayrshire during the festive period can enjoy themselves in a safe and pleasant environment.”

Councillor Nan McFarlane, chair of the Community Safety Partnership, added: “Residents from across South Ayrshire and visitors can enjoy a wide range of facilities in Ayr town centre.

“People come to Ayr for Christmas shopping, to enjoy an evening with friends, have a meal or perhaps with children to see the festive lights.

“Whatever the reason, we are doing everything we can to make sure that people have a happy and enjoyable experience and feel safe when they are in town.”

This initiative and approach has been extremely successful in previous years – reported crime during last year’s festive initiative fell by 24 per cent, and this figure represents a continuous reduction over the last three years.

The Community Safety Partnership is also working with Ayr Renaissance to support a range of fun activities in the town centre over the festive period. These will include a visit from Santa, choirs, street artists and much more.