Safety will be at the top of the list this Christmas as East Dunbartonshire Council launches its annual safety campaign.
Community Wardens will be out and about in town centres and retail areas during the day and early evenings as part of the EDC Festive Safety Campaign - aimed at providing public reassurance, deterring crime, and engaging with shoppers and traders. The Community Safety and Trading Standards teams will also be carrying out joint patrols with colleagues from Police Scotland.
Officers from Community Protection will be working pro-actively throughout the festive period to promote public health, safety, wellbeing and consumer protection across our communities. Environmental Health Officers will be inspecting our local restaurants, cafes and takeaways to ensure that food safety continues to be a priority throughout the party season. Trading Standards Officers will be working with local businesses on consumer and product safety throughout the busy shopping season and the Council’s Licensing Advisors will also be engaging with licensed premises throughout the festive period.
Cllr Andrew Polson, Joint Leader of the Council, said, "We want everyone to have a memorable Christmas for the right reasons so we will be doing all we can - along with Police Scotland colleagues - to help make people feel safe and to deter any potential criminal activity.
"Look out for our high-visibility patrols in town centres and retail park areas - and please continue to support local retailers, businesses and hostelries where you can."
Cllr Vaughan Moody, Joint Leader of the Council, added, "East Dunbartonshire has a wonderful community spirit and that is particularly evident around Christmas-time, when festive lights are switched on across the area.
"We are delighted to be working with partners such as Police Scotland to help ensure it's a very merry Christmas for all our residents, visitors and workers."
Police Scotland recently launched its annual Christmas safety campaign, including representatives from the Council and Scottish Fire and Rescue.
Chief Inspector Lorna Gibson, Area Commander for East Dunbartonshire, said, "We're pleased to be working with the Council to help ensure everyone enjoys a safe and happy Christmas.
"Lots of people will be out doing their Christmas shopping, socialising and enjoying parties both in East Dunbartonshire and in Glasgow city centre. Police Scotland will be providing regular information on how people can keep themselves and their friends safe, and officers will be out targeting the crimes associated with the festive period."
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* If you are planning a Christmas shopping expedition then please remember that charges are suspended in all seven of the Council's fee-levying car parks - in Bearsden, Kirkintilloch and Milngavie - on the four Saturdays running up to Christmas - 30 November, and December 7, 14 and 21.
To ensure public safety the Council's community wardens will still be enforcing parking regulations and restrictions for any vehicles parked inappropriately (on-street and off-street) - including Blue Badge misuse - on the Saturdays when charges are suspended.