POLICE have 'kicked-off' their annual festive policing campaign, with some help from the Kingdom's SPFL clubs.

Each year thousands of members of the public visit the various shopping districts, licensed premises and other attractions over Christmas and New Year.

With town centres seeing large increases in public footfall, officers will have a high-visibility presence in Cowdenbeath and Lochgelly and throughout the county to provide communities with personal safety and crime prevention information.

In addition, the Fife Division social media Christmas calendar will return once again, with players from Cowdenbeath FC, Dunfermline Athletic, East Fife FC and Raith Rovers, helping to deliver the festive safety messaging between 1st and 25th December.

The calendar can be viewed by liking the Fife Division Facebook page or by following @FifePolice on Twitter.

Chief Superintendent Derek McEwan, Divisional Commander for Fife said: "If there are two things we Fifers love, it's Christmas and football and I'm delighted the Kingdom's four SPFL clubs have joined us for this year's festive policing campaign.

"As part of this campaign, we will have increased patrols in our town centres, particularly around retail premises and our pubs and clubs.

"Officers will be on hand to engage with the public, offer reassurance, deter criminal activity and respond to any incidents, which arise. If you require any assistance from the police while out and about, please do not hesitate to speak with the officers on patrol, or by contacting us via 101 or 999.

"We will also be able to offer really useful advice aimed at maintaining public safety and preventing crime occurring.

"Lots of this advice is already available on our website at www.scotland.police.uk and will be delivered as part of our social media Christmas calendar. This year, the calendar will star players from all four SPFL clubs and we're extremely graetful for their support.

"On behalf of Fife Division, I would like to wish our communities a very Merry Christmas. I hope the holiday season is an enjoyable, memorable and most importantly, safe time for you all."

Tom Ewing, Director at Cowdenbeath FC, added: "We are delighted to support this year's festive safety campaign in Fife and would like to extend seasons greetings to all and wish everyone a safe and peaceful Christmas and New Year.”