POLICE in the Wee County are looking to deter travelling criminals following a successful festive campaign.

It is business as usual for the force in Clackmannanshire with the new year underway and officers are renewing their focus after spreading the Christmas safety message.

Police in the area are now looking to crackdown on travelling criminals with vehicle checks.

Community Inspector Mark Murphy explained to the Advertiser: “We’ll be trying to disrupt and detect any offences they commit.

“We are actively trying to reduce, hopefully all, and as much of this type of criminal behaviour as we can.”

He added: “It’s always been an issue, however, there appears to have been a spike in this type of criminal behaviour across Scotland, not just Clackmannanshire, in recent times.

“We’ll be working with neighbouring divisions as well so that we can try and co-ordinate the best response possible to try and prevent and disrupt travelling criminals getting into Clackmannanshire.”

The renewed focus comes off the back of Christmas operations, including a drink-drive campaign.

Numerous motorists were stopped around the Wee County in December to provide breath samples, only one person was charged with a drink-driving while another was charged under a separate offence for failing to provide a sample.

Insp Murphy said: “We’d rather it was none, however, we are quite pleased with the way the campaign ran.

“Road safety is obviously critical.”

Elsewhere, officers were keen to make sure people know how to keep safe when shopping and took an ATM to supermarkets in Clackmannanshire for demonstrations.

High visibility patrols were also present to help protect revellers at Christmas parties and shoppers during the day.

This also gave officers the chance to engage with business owners and the public alike, with the aim of reassuring people that Clackmannanshire is a good place to live, work, visit.

Insp Mark Murhpy said: “We are satisfied and are happy with the way the campaign went.

“However, what is always coming next year: we’ll review what we did and we’ll look at any ways to try and improve it.”