Perpetrators of drug and alcohol misuse, crimes of dishonesty and anti-social behaviour will be targeted when a coordinated police operation is carried out across Fife this weekend, starting on Friday evening.
Superintendent Dougie Milton, who is in charge of the operation, said teams of officers are being deployed throughout Fife.
The initiative, which forms a central component of Police Scotland’s Campaign Against Violence (CAV), will see officers carry out a number of activities intended to provide public reassurance, prevent crime and detect offenders.
Mr Milton said the initiative was in response to community concerns raised at community engagement meetings which have identified a number of concerns.
He said: “These issues generate feelings of fear, anxiety and anger among local residents and as such are priorities for local police action.
“To address them, and in line with Police Scotland’s over-riding goal of keeping people safe, my officers will be executing arrest warrants, carrying out stop-and-search activity specifically targeted at people suspected of carrying offensive weapons or engaging in drug and alcohol misuse.
“We will carry out high-visibility patrols within areas where there have been recent complaints of violence, housebreaking, theft and anti-social behaviour and visiting the victims of crime to provide reassurance.
“There will also be preventative checks carried out at licensed premises and at the homes of perpetrators of previous crimes.
“To ensure the delivery of effective policing services that both accurately reflect and address local concerns, continued engagement and close partnership working with and within local communities is essential.
“Therefore, I would encourage members of the public to continue bringing matters of concern to the attention of Fife officers by attending their local community engagement meetings, which are all advertised locally.”