The Safe Shores campaign covers the areas of Scotland’s South Ayrshire shoreline at Troon, Prestwick and Ayr beaches.

Its purpose is to safeguard members of the public and families and others that visit the area during the spring and summer months but particularly June-August and to ensure that these groups of people are safe from crime, disorder and road safety issues and that they have a pleasant experience. In previous years as many as 25,000 persons are known to have visited these areas in one day.

To provide public reassurance and Keep People Safe, Police Scotland carry out high visibility foot and cycle patrols in and around these areas. The Coastguard, Life boat and local authority all carry out additional patrols providing information and assistance to the shore users. This year Police Scotland will, for the first time, use a Polaris Ranger ATV to patrol the shores of South Ayrshire. The vehicle, which has been supplied by ATV Services Scotland, Hollybush Ayr, has been marked up in Police Scotland livery. A spokesperson for Polaris said, “we are seeing increasing numbers of Polaris Rangers and Sportsman ATVs in use with the emergency services, from mountain rescue to coastal work such as this, and we thank Police Scotland for choosing Polaris.

The main periods of activity along this stretch of coast are weekends routinely from early morning to late evening. The Esplanades have many varied facilities which attract families, and visitors. A small minority of locals and visitors have in the past conducted themselves in an anti-social manner which clearly detracts from the beach, and the Esplanades’ use as a multi-purpose recreational venue.

Inspector Alister Kelly, who is pictured receiving the vehicle from John Yuille (ATV Services) said “I am sure that the use of this vehicle will not only provide a faster response to incidents on the shores of South Ayrshire but will provide a focus for members of the public to speak with Police officers, reducing the fear of crime while keeping people safe”. Alister would be pleased to be contacted about the impact of the Polaris for the area: Alister Kelly, Inspector, Troon Police Office 01292 662009/7992009 Alisterkelly@scotland.pnn.police.uk

Polaris Britain: 0800 915 6720 www.polaris-britain.com