STIRLING Council has joined forces with Police Scotland once again to deliver an initiative aimed at keeping people safe over the summer in the city centre.

Operation Steadfast will officially launch on Friday, 28 June and will run seven days a week until 18 August. This collaborative project is led by Police Scotland and supported by Stirling Council officers across various services.

Its aims for summer 2019 are to help both authorities: reduce proxy sales of alcohol, reduce crime and antisocial behaviour, improve community safety, protect children and vulnerable people from harm and improve the quality of life of people living in and visiting Stirling.

Similar to previous versions of the Operation, a Mobile Police Unit will be situated on Friars Street to increase the police presence in the city centre.

Figures reported after last year’s Steadfast Summer showed a reduction in victim reported crime, violent crime and theft by shoplifting, while pro-active police captures increased by more than 80 per cent.

Its success triggered follow up operations during Fresher’s Week and the festive season.

Convenor of Stirling Council’s Public Safety Committee, Cllr Maureen Bennison, said: “The school summer holidays are almost upon us and that coincides with peak tourist season for Stirling and its wonderful attractions.

“We want to make sure everyone coming here feels safe, secure and free to enjoy themselves over that period.

“Operation Steadfast was welcomed in previous initiatives and reaffirms that Police Scotland and Stirling Council are committed to tackling anti-social behaviour and criminal activity in our city centre.”

Cllr Chris Kane, Vice Convenor added: “We have been working closely with our partners to do our best to keep people safe over the summer, particularly vulnerable people, and at other busy periods in Stirling’s calendar.

“These campaigns are carefully planned and have a targeted approach to make sure Stirling’s fantastic City centre is a safe and prosperous place to visit, live and work.”

Chief Inspector Gill Marshall, Local Area Commander for Stirling, said: “This is our second summer where Operation Steadfast is being rolled out in Stirling’s city centre and I want to thank our colleagues at Stirling Council for their continued support of this very worthwhile initiative.

“We know that over the summer months, we tend to see an increase in certain offences, often linked to excessive consumption of alcohol and it is important that we take a collaborative approach with our partners to addressing these issues.

“Similar to last summer and the 2018 festive period, we will have officers on high-visibility patrol throughout the city centre to engage with the public, deter criminal activity and respond appropriately to any incidents, which arise. In addition, these officers can also offer members of the public useful information on crime prevention and personal safety if required.

“Our mobile police station once again returns to the city centre and provides us with a central base to maximise our visibility and allow a swift response if any incidents requiring a police response are reported.

“I am confident Operation Steadfast Summer 2019 will build on the success of the previous year and enhance our already excellent working relationship with our partners and engagement with the local residents and businesses within Stirling city centre.”

Andrew Mitchell, Chair, Go Forth Stirling added: “Operation Steadfast was a huge success last year with very clear benefits to the businesses represented by Go Forth Stirling.

“We are pleased to be able to support Steadfast this year and look forward to working with BID members and partner organisations to ensure that Stirling city centre is a safe space for the people who live in and visit Stirling.”