Update on police activity in the Scottish Borders

He said: "At the end of February we confirmed, as a result of Operation Jabiru, more than 30 people had been arrested in connection with a variety of criminal offences and I was delighted by the public response to this news on our social media channels and through our traditional forms of engagement with communities and elected members.

"Operation Jabiru launched in October 2022 to proactively gather intelligence and execute warrants targeting criminals operating within the region.

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"As we highlighted in February, there have been almost 50 property searches and significant recoveries of Class A, B and C drugs, as well as other items associated with drug dealing and organised crime.

"In addition, officers seized over £18,000 in cash and luxury goods worth in excess of £50,000, which are believed to be proceeds of criminal activity.

"I’d like to take this opportunity to assure all members of the public living within the Scottish Borders that our proactive intelligence-gathering and enforcement activity as part of Operation Jabiru was not a flash in the pan and my officers will continue to target those who are profiting from the misery of others within our communities, shut down their operations and bring them before the courts.

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"We know, however, that the success of such activity is based on the information we receive from the public and I would urge anyone with knowledge of ongoing criminal activity in their area to contact us via 101, or make an anonymous report to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

"Recently I joined colleagues from the National Rural and Acquisitive Crime Unit, in a visit to our neighbours in Northumbria Constabulary to learn more about their rural crime volunteers. Northumbria and the Scottish Borders share many similarities, not least in terms of topography, rurality and rural criminality.

"They suffer quad bike and machinery thefts as we do, and many of the crimes are perpetrated by the same criminal gangs.

"We have been working closely with our colleagues in Northumbria, Cumbria and Cleveland to deliver Operation Checkpoint and Operation Winterberry and Northumbria’s response was undoubtedly enhanced by their deployment of rural crime volunteers. RCVs have operated successfully in Northumbria for a number of years and they are credited with many successes.

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"These are predominantly farmers, gamekeepers etc. who know the land, what looks right, and more importantly, what looks out of place. They are vetted and briefed and are issued with RCV ID Cards and at times locked-down police radios.

"They are eyes and ears on the ground and can report suspicious activity to police officers in real time to assist in combating rural crime.

"Having spoken with the rural crime team in Northumbria and some of the volunteers and co-ordinators, we are now exploring the possibility of piloting RCVs here within the Scottish Borders. I will provide more information on our progress in due course.

"I want to finish this column with a plea once again to all road users as we enter the early part of spring. We’re reaching the point in the year where fairer weather and lighter days are upon us and as such, we’ll see the Borders roads getting busier with cars, motorbikes, pedal cycles and tourists.

"If you are out an about on our roads, regardless of your chosen mode of transport, please drive, ride or cycle responsibly. Scottish weather is, as we all know, unpredictable, and it’s not unusual to experience four seasons in one day. Indeed, despite seeing the first daffodils, I have also just received a severe weather warning for snow and ice.

"This may present challenges in terms of visibility or tyre adhesion, and you should modify your driving accordingly. You should always be able to stop on your own side of the road in the distance you can see to be clear.

As always, the Police Scotland website has a range of information aimed at keeping you safe on the roads and this can be accessed by visiting www.scotland.police.uk."