Author Archives: Admin

Police Scotland Introduce Lone Officer Verification Checks

Lone police officers to offer verification check to members of the public

The following message has recently been circulated by Police Scotland

Police Scotland is immediately introducing a simple officer verification process to provide reassurance to any member of the public who may be concerned about whether or not they are being spoken to by a genuine police officer working alone.

The move follows the understandable public concern surrounding the horrendous murder of Sarah Everard

On duty officers operating on their own will now proactively offer to carry out a verification check for anyone they come across who appears to be concerned for their safety. A member of the public can also request that a verification check be done.

Although police officers normally work in pairs in Scotland and it is very rare for a lone police officer to approach a member of the public, there are occasions when this could happen.

The new process, introduced on Saturday, 2 October, will allow for the officer’s personal radio to be put on loudspeaker and for an officer or member of police staff in a Police Scotland Control Room to confirm that the officer is who they say they are, that they are on duty and the reason the officer is speaking to the member of the public.

The Control Room will then create an incident number which can be displayed on the officer’s mobile phone or radio to confirm the broadcast message details.

In the even rarer situation where a lone off-duty officer has to become involved in an incident, the officer will call 999 and allow the member of the public to speak to the control room on the phone. Uniformed colleagues will also be dispatched as quickly as possible.

The full message can be viewed here
https://www.scotland.police.uk/what-s-happening/news/2021/october/lone-police-officers-to-offer-verification-check-to-members-of-the-public/
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Message Sent By
Willie Clark (NHWN, National Co – ordinator, Neighbourhood Watch Scotland)

Memorial Bench for Leigh Thomson

After consultation with East Lothian Council, permission has been granted for a bench to be placed in Garvald Park in memory of Leigh Thomson. Leigh’s friends and family have clubbed together for this bench and hope it will be a lovely addition to the park.

The bench should be mounted soon on the base that has recently been laid and ELC’s Landscape & Countryside Section have already approved its position.

Garvald Ladies’ Supper REMINDER

If you wish to attend the above event on Tuesday 12th October at 7pm in Garvald Village Hall, please reply to the email from Freda, the organiser, by Tuesday 5th October: this is to allow for taking into account the numbers attending for the the setting up of the hall with COVID in mind.

Pop-Up Police

POP UP Police events this Sunday 3rd October 2021:

Garvald: outside village hall 1000 -1030

Gifford: outside village hall 1100 -1130

Bolton: outside village hall 1145 -1215

Athelstaneford: outside village school 1330 -1400

Gifford Cubs Supported by GMCC

Gifford Cubs, who comprise children from the wider Yester catchment, recently benefited from some funding from the GMCC to access watersports trips to the Whiteadder Watersports Centre. Gifford Cubs Leaders have recently expressed their thanks for the support and sent these photos.

As well as having fun, an ongoing relationship has now been established between Gifford Cubs and Whiteadder Watersports Centre and some Cubs parents have also gone on to use the centre for their own activities.

Help Yourself to Books!

BT have informed us that the book exchange in the Garvald phone box cannot continue… therefore, the books have been deposited, in boxes, on the pavement outside the phone box. Before it rains, please help yourself to any books you want, after which they will be taken for recycling.

Well done to those who set it up and supported it during the pandemic!