Reporting to Berwickshire Area Committee last week Inspector Janice Etherson told councillors there had been 343 calls to the Duns office, 400 to the Eyemouth office and 141 to the Coldstream office.

"It has been a very busy and diverse couple of months with a wide range of crimes and incidents," said Inspector Etherson.

"The positive message is certainly that the public can be reassured that they reside in one of the safest areas in the country."

The most serious offences dealt with by Berwickshire officers were reports of two separate rapes, and in-depth enquiries resulted in two men being remanded in custody.

"There has certainly been sustained effort in relation to the misuse of drugs with six houses searched under Misuse of Drugs Act warrants in Eyemouth and Duns, both involving uniformed and pro active with positive results," said Inspector Etherson.

"Persons have been reported for supply and personal possession. Following this theme after street searches of persons, a further four people have been reported for possession."

Local police have also been dealing with a spate of house break-ins in recent weeks, and Inspector Etherson reported: "Following the break in to the Spar shop in Coldingham an extensive police operation resulted in men from Edinburgh being caught at St Abbs Head with the property. They were arrested and appeared at court."

With regard to the other house break-ins in the district Inspector Etherson said: "From all the evidence it is strongly suspected that the culprits have travelled into the area. In an effort to disrupt their activity road checks have been implemented. This would appear to have had some effect as the crimes have abated."

Poachers have also been active in the area and Inspector Etherson said: "A joint operation was carried out with RSPCA inspectors and a house in east Berwickshire was searched and two deer carcases were discovered. A man has been reported to the Procurator Fiscal.

"In a separate incident two men were found in possession of a lurcher type dog and poaching equipment from the Northumbria area. They too have been reported to the Procurator Fiscal."

The bad weather in December and January took its toll and unfortunately there were two fatal road accidents in the district.

"In line with Force objectives there have been numerous road checks and vehicle stops in line with the drink drive initiative.

"Several drivers have been reported but in line with national results there was certainly fewer this year," said Inspector Etherson.

"Several vehicles were seized where drivers were not covered by insurance or did not have a valid driving licence. Others were issued with ASBO warnings.

"A Safer Streets initiative was carried out utilising mainly the community safety department and the community beat officers.

"They attended all the school Christmas dances and carried out street initiatives in all the major towns in the section.

"Alcohol was confiscated and several people were reported for possession of drugs.

"There were no incidents at the dances and the preventative measures adopted were a great success.

"There was a Hogmanay party and torchlight procession held in Duns which was well attended and went very well with almost no anti social behaviour which was credit to the public the organisers and the policing of the event."