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Author spreads word of festive safety campaign

Author spreads word of festive safety campaign

Crime writer Stuart MacBride took to the city streets to support a police crackdown on offending in the run-up to Christmas.

The creator of the Detective Sergeant Logan McRae series said he welcomed efforts to keep the city festive, and not threatening, as people come out to shop and celebrate in their thousands.

MacBride was with some of Aberdeen’s top policemen at the launch of Operation Oak yesterday in the city centre.

The writer, who sets his crime tales in the Granite City, said: “I wanted to be here as the old Grampian Police have been so incredibly supportive to me in the last five years as I have researched my books.

“Operation Oak is a very good campaign. I fully intend to be out having fun over the festive season and it is good to know that there will be a lot more officers on the street.”

The work comes as an estimated 35,000 people are expected to pour into pubs, clubs and restaurants every day between now and Christmas.

Operation Oak will mainly seek to stem the effects of too much alcohol with police working with 70 different groups, from licensees to health experts and street pastors, to help keep the partying masses safe.

Despite the high number of visitors to Aberdeen, police said only around 20 to 30 people would be arrested on a nightly basis, with roughly the same number of on-the-spot fines issued.

Chief Inspector George MacDonald, area commander for Aberdeen Central, said: “We have got additional staff out at key times.

“The big challenge is people making themselves vulnerable. Groups of friends who go out together need to look out for one another. There is also a responsibility on the individual to look after yourself. Go out, have fun but be responsible.”

Russell Davidson, of the Paramount Bar, the Illicit Still and Nox Nightclub, said: “Responsible retailing is something that we focus on all year round but the main difference we notice at this time is the pressure that some people feel they are under to consume more.”

He said staff were trained to spot people who may be putting themselves at risk.

“If people have had one too many, we give them water and make sure they have a safe carriage home.”

Also working in the run up to Christmas will be the city’s army of street pastors, who will comfort those who are lost, intoxicated or just need some care.

A “safe space” truck will be there to offer refuge to those who need it.

James Duce, director of Aberdeen Street Pastors, said: “Life can be very messy and people live very busy lives. Sometimes with all the pressure, the wheels can come off. When that happens, we are here.”