Levenmouth’s bobbies were denied an early Christmas present after losing out on being named the toast of Twitter at a national awards ceremony.
The force’s account had been nominated as the country’s Best Tweeting Corporate Police handle at the Police Twitter Awards in Northumberland.
The recognition came after the account gained national notoriety following a succession of light-hearted messages aimed at conveying local policing developments.
However, there was disappointment for the team from Fife, who lost out to colleagues from Lochaber and Skye.
WE WON!!!! Condolences to @ShrewsburyCops & @LevenmouthPol we are all winners!!!! pic.twitter.com/NOzXOb0VTN
— Police Scotland South Highlands (@PSOSSouthHigh) December 23, 2016
Followed by almost 10,000 people, the @LevenmouthPol account is used by officers to post tongue-in-cheek warnings to would-be offenders.
However, despite the often light-hearted tone of the posts, they are used to pass on serious public protection messages and updates on local policing initiatives.
It is an approach that has clearly worked in helping officers to engage with the community, with sister accounts for nearby Glenrothes and Kirkcaldy failing to reach even half the number of online followers.
Sometimes people aren't always who they say they are!
Check ID carefully esp if u are home alone!#OorHarryAndMarv 😊#MerryXmasYaFilthyAnimal pic.twitter.com/XY0VSVqJQc— Police Scotland Levenmouth (@PSOSLevenmouth) December 22, 2016
#solstice (longest night of the year). A few customers may disagree, havin spent 'longer' nights at our gaff!#AvoidMakingItALongOneTonight
— Police Scotland Levenmouth (@PSOSLevenmouth) December 21, 2016
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way,
Oh what fun it is to ride, the vengabus to the jail.#AllAboard pic.twitter.com/aDL7lfhuyb— Police Scotland Levenmouth (@PSOSLevenmouth) December 19, 2016
The past few weeks has even seen the force’s own take on an advent calendar, comparing its pepper spray to that of a festive “unisex fragrance”, and warning the public not to end up in a police Christmas jumper, more commonly recognised as a prison jumpsuit.
The man behind the account is Community Sergeant Craig Fyall, whose status within the area even saw him make The Courier Impact 100 list earlier this month.
Despite missing out on the top gong, Sergeant Fyall took to Twitter to commend eventual winners Lochaber and Skye Police, stating: “congratulations to oor neebors”.