I want to start this week’s column off by highlighting some excellent work some of our Borders officers are undertaking while out of uniform.

After adverse weather put paid to their plans last year, Sergeant Gavin Liddle and several of his colleagues will be doing the Three Peaks Challenge, between April 18 and 19.

The Three Peaks Challenge sees participants climb the highest peaks in Scotland, England and Wales It is a significant test of endurance as climbers test themselves on Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and then Mount Snowdon.

In addition to Sergeant Liddle, the other officers taking part are Inspector Robbie Noble, PC Jamie Entwistle, PC Gordon Johnston, PC Liam Lawrence, PC Abbie McCaughey, PC Connor Flockhart, PC Scott Rutherford, PC Caroline Frankitti and PC Roger Changleng.

They are undertaking this gruelling challenge to raise money for Nurture the Borders – a charity aimed at promoting and protecting the physical and mental health of women, their infants and families affected by, or at threat of developing, a perinatal mental health condition.

You can donate to their very worthy fundraising efforts by visiting www.justgiving.com/page/gavin-liddle-1688134523736

Although the recent high winds and continued showers may suggest otherwise, we are almost in spring and that will hopefully bring with it nicer weather, we can either be outside more, or have windows opened to let fresh (not gale-force) breezes into our homes.

It seems like an opportune time, therefore, to promote our home security messaging and issue a reminder to communities to help safeguard their properties from thieves and would-be housebreakers.

Please remember that if you are leaving your home unoccupied for any length of time to keep valuables stored safely out of sight and to ensure doors and windows are secured during this time.

It’s vital to also remember that sheds, garages, and other outbuildings you own should be considered extensions of your property and should be secured accordingly.

If you can, please also consider motion-activated lighting and even CCTV for your homes, as these add even more deterrence against criminals.

A full range of crime prevention and home security advice is available on our website at www.scotland.police.uk.

Looking ahead, we will soon be looking to finalise our plans for our Community Action Team and Community Policing Team resources, and I am keen to hear from the public on what they deem to be local policing priorities for their area.

This feedback will play a vital role in shaping our resources are deployed and used most effectively.

Your views really do matter to us and you can give us you comments, insights and such by taking our Your Police Survey, which is also available on the Police Scotland website.