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Police in Northern Ireland and the Republic are carrying out a cross-border operation targeting criminals and drink-drivers over the Christmas period.<\/p>\nPolice in Northern Ireland and the Republic are carrying out a cross-border operation targeting criminals and drink-drivers over the Christmas period.<\/p>\n
Operation Season\u2019s Greetings will see PSNI officers across border counties working alongside Garda colleagues.<\/p>\n
Starting on Saturday, it will take place day and night over the coming weeks.<\/p>\n
PSNI Chief Superintendent Andy Freeburn said the operation aims to prevent crime as well as drink and drug-driving.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe very much appreciate that things are very different for all of us this year with the current pandemic, however our commitment to building safe communities remains,\u201d Mr Freeburn added.<\/p>\n
\u201cPolice officers from departments across the service will be providing visible and accessible policing to local communities and businesses right across the area.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will also be working in partnership with An Garda Siochana, running joint operations to help deliver safer streets for shopping and socializing, as the Health Protection Regulations permit, safer roads and public transport, safer homes for those at risk of domestic abuse and safer businesses.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere will be an increased police presence, with authorized checkpoints as part of our anti-drink and drug-drive part of the operation, but we will aim to keep any disruption to a minimum by regularly moving across the area.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Freeburn said officers will be carrying out beat patrols as well as providing crime prevention advice to local businesses.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur ultimate aim is to keep everyone safe but also deny criminals the use of our road network,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will also continue our four Es approach to the Health Protection Regulations of engage, explain, encourage and, as a last resort, enforce, to those who recklessly ignore the rules.\u201d<\/p>\n