Police are appealing for information and condemning the disorder seen in The Meadows this weekend.
Chief Inspector Sarah Taylor of Edinburgh Police Division said: “We are aware of the extent of the disorder seen in The Meadows this weekend and we absolutely condemn this.
“Officers were called to a number of incidents over the course of the day and responded quickly and professionally in the face of some blatant anti-social behaviour.
“Hundreds of people were moved on or dispersed from the area.
“Three people have so far been charged in connection with anti-social behaviour and a serious assault, and we are working to trace others involved in various incidents.
“In particular, we’re eager for anyone who saw a 22-year-old man being attacked around 7.30pm in the Middle Meadow Walk area and also a 17-year-old man being seriously injured in the park around 6.40pm, to come forward.
“Anyone who witnessed these incidents, who has seen information online or has footage which may be relevant is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident 1635 of 3 April, 2021. Information can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
“Be assured that there will be a continued police presence at The Meadows over Easter and the coming weekends, as a minimum. We’ve been working with the council and are committed to tackling these issues together, both in the immediate future and long-term. There will be zero tolerance.”
Officers are also urging people to do the right thing to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
CI Taylor continued: “We’ve urged people to stay local and follow the regulations on gatherings. Saturday saw several thousand people congregate at The Meadows and, disappointingly, some were intent on disorder.
“The coronavirus regulations have had a significant impact on our lives and I would like to thank those who are sticking to the rules and doing the right thing to avoid the spread of the virus as we move through the easing of restrictions.
“Our approach throughout the pandemic has been to engage with the public, explain the legislation and encourage compliance, but we will not hesitate to use our enforcement powers as a last resort.”
Following updated guidance from the Scottish Government that garden centres may open, the UK’s leading garden centre retailer, Dobbies Garden Centres, will reopen both its Edinburgh store and little dobbies tomorrow (Monday 5 April).
The safety of team members and customers remains Dobbies’ number one priority and social distancing measures are already in place to allow the stores to operate safely. The restaurant and soft play will remain temporarily closed in the Edinburgh store.
Graeme Jenkins, CEO of Dobbies, said: “We welcome this updated guidance from the Scottish Government, enabling us to reopen our stores, including the Edinburgh store and little dobbies. The safety of our team members and customers remains Dobbies’ number one priority.
“Spring is the time when people want to get back out into their gardens, and with proven health and wellbeing benefits, reopening in Scotland is a positive development.”
As the Edinburgh store reopens, bedding plants are predicted to be popular with local customers, following their popularity in 2020. With houseplants, Orchids were the most popular in 2020 with the trend for foliage set to be big in 2021.
The store will be open 09:00 to 18:00, Monday to Sunday.
For the full list of Dobbies stores visit dobbies.com
The dark web has 10 billion open records available to scammers
Hooking up with a person online, having a lot of things in common, and sharing the same dreams sounds exhilarating, especially for a lonely person aged 40 to 69.
Sadly, the scenario might not be the result of Cupid’s carefully aimed arrow, but a methodologically plotted romance scam — a long-term plan to take advantage of someone who is prepared to give everything away just to see their beloved.
How do scammers find their victims?
Just like businesses analyze consumer behavior to base their decisions on data, scammers analyze stolen identity records to find patterns of loneliness.
According to NordPass’s research, the web is swirling with exposed databases. Recently, researchers have identified a total of 9,517 unsecured databases containing 10,463,315,645 entries with such data as emails, passwords, and phone numbers. This data can be picked up by scammers whenever they like.
“Behind every single leaked record on the dark web is a person. The number of records suggests that some people’s data has been leaked from multiple sources. This allows scammers to build a comprehensive picture of a person. The fishnet gets tighter if the source of data is a dating site, app, or platform,” says Daniel Markuson, a digital privacy expert at NordVPN.
Financial loss is upsetting, but emotional pain is even harder to deal with. Moreover, when victims are entangled in their romance, they get blindsided and even distance themselves from their friends and family to prevent their “relationship” from being challenged or intervened. Multiple studies also show that victims of romance scams usually remain silent.
Red flags
Scammers first approach their victims with emails full of flattery.
Below is an example received from a woman whose data was leaked from LinkedIn in May 2016. She was contacted by the scammer only in May 2020:
“Your beauty and your charming smile caught my eyes, it will be a great honor to know more about you, I am very interested in communicating more <…>.”
Scammers usually pretend they can’t meet because of their occupation: they say they are doctors working for international organizations, soldiers, or businessmen trapped in a hostile country. Some sad stories involve women losing $200,000 and still thinking they are loved.
In 2019, 200 million US dollars was spent on romance scams, which is almost 40% more than in 2018. The same year, more than 25,000 reports were filed with the FTC regarding romance scams. Moreover, the topic of romance scams is among the most visited on FraudSupport.org.
NordVPN’s digital privacy expert Daniel Markuson warns: “Even if you or your relatives seem to be scam resistant, establishing a protected internet browsing infrastructure is a good precaution.”
Quick scam-proofing algorithm:
Check if the email address you are using has been leaked. If it has, change the password immediately. Create a new email address unrelated to the compromised one.
Set your VPN settings to “always on”. That way, it will establish a secure connection every time you go online. This will help protect you from malware and fraudsters.
Be more cautious with new people who contact you. Scammers tend to first express their fascination with the targeted person and later ask them for money to pay for a plane ticket, cover medical expenses, help to solve life-threatening debts, or cover expenses on a visa and other official travel documents.
ABOUT NORDVPN
NordVPN is the world’s most advanced VPN service provider that is more security-oriented than most VPN services. It offers double VPN encryption, malware blocking, and Onion Over VPN.
The product is very user-friendly, offers one of the best prices on the market, has over 5,000 servers worldwide, and is P2P-friendly. One of the key features of NordVPN is the zero-log policy. For more information: nordvpn.com.
The eco-friendly way to see the best that the UK and Ireland has to offer
We are set for another summer of staycations, calling for experiences even more off the beaten track to discover the UK and Ireland’s natural beauty and spread the tourism wealth.
With an increased demand for sustainability-focused, eco-travel, Rabbie’s continues to expand its domestic travel options without sacrificing its excellent green credentials.
Rabbie’s ensures that the places we love are there for future generations to enjoy and advocates ‘taking only photos and leaving only footprints’. Explore the best of what the UK and Ireland has to offer – its wildlife, vistas, delicacies and rich history – all while actively preserving its future …
Visit the sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters of your dreams, but in Scotland:
After so long spent at home, the far-flung islands and dolphin-spotting on the three-day tour of Lewis, Harris and the Outer Hebrides are a welcome escape. Visit the incredible Luskentyre beach known for its tranquil waves, white sands and Loch Braun, home to native whales and dolphins.
This area of outstanding natural beauty comes with a rich history, with Viking relics left behind from over 800 years ago, including the Callanish standing stones to visit as well as the opportunity to experience life as a highlander at the centre of traditional crofting, Arnol Blackhouse. The tour departs from Inverness, and costs from £209 per person.
Hiking through the delightful depths of Derbyshire and rewarding yourself with a delicious Bakewell tart:
Derbyshire is England at its most quintessential, full of quaint cottages and luscious rolling hills. On the Derbyshire, Peak District & Poole’s Cavern tour, visit Castleton, nestled in the hills and the Celtic settlement with former ruins located nearby on the hill of Mamtor.
After a hike to one of the most photographed spots of the county at Monsal Head, tuck into lunch in Bakewell, home of the iconic almond puddings. ‘The cherry on top’ of the afternoon consists of a visit to Poole’s Cavern, a limestone cave system previously marvelled at by Mary Queen of Scots, full of stalagmites and stalactites.
Take a bite out of English history and embrace the natural awe of the UK whilst staying carbon-neutral. The one-day tour, departing from Manchester, costs from £39 per person.
Take in the soaring mountains, spectacular wildlife, and mystical history of Ireland’s West Coast, with nothing in between you and the Atlantic:
A jam-packed three days full of the Emerald Isle’s less visited, awe-inspiring wonders such as the Cliffs of Moher and Connemara National Park. On the West Coast Explorer Tour, Rabbie’s transports guests to a world of dungeons and dragons at Dunguaire Castle, and natural beauty spots such as the Cliffs of Moher and Lough Corrib’s scenic shores which were captured in “The Quiet Man”.
Of course, no trip to Ireland would be without a tipple, enjoy a drink at Locke’s Distillery, the oldest in the world as well as a bite to eat in the foodie hub of Galway. Departing from Dublin, the three-day tour costs from €309.00 per person.
With social distancing measures in place, reduced group sizes and increased cleaning measures, Rabbie’s offers worry-free journeys so you can enjoy a sustainable staycation without concerns.
More than 5 million people in the UK receive their second dose of a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine
Nearly 1 in 10 UK adults have now received both doses
Government urges people to take up their second doses as soon as possible to maximise protection
More than 5 million people in the UK have received their second dose of a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine, says the UK GOvernment.
Health services across the UK have now administered over 36.6 million vaccines between 8 December and 02 April, including over 31.4 million people with their first dose and over 5.2 million with their second.
The milestone means nearly 1 in 10 of all UK adults have received both vaccines, ensuring maximum protection from the virus over the coming months.
Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said: “Our spectacular vaccination programme has now delivered over 5 million second doses, giving those most vulnerable to COVID – including half of all those aged over 80 – the best possible protection.
“This is vital so everyone can get the strongest possible protection against COVID-19 as we progress along the road to freedom, allowing us to reclaim the things we love.
“I want to give a big thank you to all those who have helped us reach this milestone.
“The UK remains on track to achieve the Prime Minister’s target of offering a first dose to those aged 50 and over by mid-April, as well as all adults by the end of July.”
Minister for COVID-19 Vaccine Deployment Nadhim Zahawi said: “Vaccines are an incredibly important part of our route out of lockdown and this pandemic, and it’s vital people take advantage of the protection they provide.
“No matter who you are, where you live, your race or your religion, I encourage everyone to take up both their vaccinations when offered and help this country get back to normality.”
Dr Nikki Kanani, GP and medical director for primary care at NHS England, said: The biggest vaccination programme in NHS history – the fastest in Europe – reaches another significant milestone as more than 5 million people have now received their second dose providing them with the strongest possible protection from serious disease.
“This success is testament to the tens of thousands of volunteers, everyone working behind the scenes and NHS GPs, nurses and vaccinators who are continuing to offer vaccines to all those who are eligible so please do come forward for your second dose when called.”
All vaccines being used in the UK have undergone robust clinical trials and have met the independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s strict standards of safety, effectiveness and quality.
The Moderna vaccine has also been approved by the MHRA and will be deployed from the Spring, with supplies due to start arriving this week.
The MHRA are also assessing the Janssen and Novavax vaccines.
Data from the Public Health England (PHE) real-world study shows that both the Pfizer/BioNTech and Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccines are highly effective in reducing coronavirus (COVID-19) among older people aged 70 years and over.
The country is already seeing a significant impact from the vaccination programme on reducing hospitalisations and deaths, with at least 6,100 deaths prevented in those aged 70 and older in England up to the end of February.
The vaccines are available free of charge and are available from thousands of vaccine centres, GP practices and pharmacies, and we want everyone to take up the offer of an appointment when they are invited – all those 50 and over can book a jab now.
If you’ve recently moved into a new-build home, you’ll have a garden that is a completely blank canvas for you to create your idyllic outdoor space. With spring finally here and with many people still based at home for the next little while, it’s the perfect time to start!
You may already have newly laid lawn or some paving and have started to think about the type of plants or trees you would like for your dream garden. But there’s also plenty of other issues to consider.
Giles Wilson, Standards and Policy Manager, at NHBC, the UK’s leading warranty and insurance provider for new homes explains: “We know that despite the continued impact of the pandemic, confidence in the housing market, particularly for newly-built homes, has remained strong.
“With many people deciding now is the time for a new home and in a lot of cases relocating to somewhere more rural, it’s wise to think about the small steps that could make a big difference to your outside area if you are planning on, or have just moved.”
Read on for some practical tips to help you make the most of your new garden at your new home:
With remote working now more common-place, most of us are all looking for ways to get some much-needed peace and quiet – or a change of scene – when working from home. A garden office provides a dedicated space to concentrate on work in a productive and inspiring setting, while also providing outdoor space for family and friends, so take extra care examining garden / outdoor dimensions and sightlines.
In clay soil, plant trees well away from your home. Find out how tall the mature tree will be and make sure it is positioned at least three quarters of this distance from the house.
The level of soil around your home should be kept below the damp proof course (generally 150mm or two brick courses). Paths should also generally be kept around 150mm or two brick courses below the damp proof course, except where these have been designed to provide level access into the home. If you are not sure where the damp proof course is, ask your builder to show you. Where air bricks, permanent ventilators or perpend vents are provided, they should not be blocked or covered by soil or paving.
If you’re planning to grow your own fruit – a favourite lockdown pastime of course, order your fruit trees as soon as you can to plant before summer, and continue planting trees and shrubs while they are still dormant.
High water demand trees should be planted no closer to the home than one-and-a-quarter times the mature height. High water demand trees include elm, eucalyptus, oak, poplar, willow and some common cypress species.
Avoid planting climbers such as Ivy and Virginia Creeper against house walls, as they hold on using suckers, twining tendrils or aerial roots which could damage mortar and may cause damp. Plant these at least three metres away from your home.
Allow enough room for trunks and large roots to grow safely. Be particularly careful if planting near drains or lightweight structures.
Although you do not need to, when planting new trees in your garden that will also be near you neighbour’s house, be considerate and ask your neighbour if this is ok. As you could be liable for the cost of repair if the trees you plant cause damage to their home.
Regular pruning of fast growing, thirsty trees such as Cypress Leyland, will help to reduce the amount of water taken from the soil.
Inspection chambers and rodding eyes are there to provide access the drainage system below ground so that blockages can be cleared. It’s important these are not covered by soil, turf or paving. Ask your builder for further information regarding this.
And last of all, although the UK is fortunate to have plenty of rain, do ensure trees and shrubs are watered sufficiently to give them a good start in life especially those that maybe sheltered by other structures. If you haven’t got one already, consider purchasing a water butt ready for the summer. Rainwater is particularly useful for watering acid-loving, ericaceous plants as opposed to tap water which is often slightly alkaline.
NHS Lothian is the first health board in Scotland to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the biodiversity of the green spaces in its estate. The move is part of an ambitious plan to reduce the health board’s overall carbon footprint and to use its green spaces to improve the health and wellbeing of the communities it serves.
Working with partners Greenspace Scotland, in a project funded by Edinburgh and Lothians Health Foundation, NHS Lothian commissioned research consultants Natural Capital Solutions to conduct a Biodiversity Audit and Climate Change Assessment.
This Audit will help NHS Lothian realise the full potential of its estate, not only as an environmental asset but also as an amenity offering heath benefits to the community.
This work also provides NHS Lothian with a means of identifying how best to manage its green spaces to meet its ambitious sustainability goals and commitments.
Dr Jane Hopton, Programme Director and Sustainability Lead for NHS Lothian, said: “Climate change affects not only our environment but also the health of our patients and communities.
“Our green spaces make an important contribution to improving air quality, reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the air which in turn is better for our health.
“Making the most of our green spaces is not simply a ‘nice thing to do’, it is an important part of our sustainability plan and sits alongside other priorities such as reducing emissions associated with medical gases, transport and travel, reducing waste and improving our energy-use.”
With 81 hectares of green space across 94 sites, NHS Lothian’s estate provides habitats for diverse species. The plants, trees, hedges and scrub that are grown on these green spaces capture carbon from the atmosphere, offsetting human emissions and cleaning the air of pollution from nearby roads and car parks.
The green landscape can also be used for nature-based health interventions such as gardening and walking activities, helping to improve the lives of NHS patients and staff.
Dr Hopton added: “There is growing evidence of the positive impact of green spaces and natural environments on our health.
“Research from the World Health Organisation and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence shows contact with nature and access to greenspace is particularly good for our mental health and wellbeing.
“This Biodiversity Audit provides a great opportunity to explore ways to unlock these benefits for more people.”
Ian Mackenzie, Green Health Programme Manager at Edinburgh and Lothians Health Foundation, said: “Edinburgh and Lothians Health Foundation was delighted to work together with NHS Lothian, Natural Capital Solutions and Greenspace Scotland on this Biodiversity Audit.
“The importance of biodiversity and natural capital in delivering health benefits is at the core of the Foundation’s Green Health Strategy.
“As a result of the pandemic, there has been a re-appreciation of outdoor space and the value it brings, and this report helps recognise how NHS Lothian’s estate can support a green recovery.”
Alison Holt, Director of Natural Capital Solutions, said: “This project has delivered the tools to predict how changes to the greenspaces and built environment of the NHS Lothian estate, impacts on its ability to reduce carbon emissions, clean the air and improve physical and mental health.
“A strategy on how to increase the provision of these important public benefits across the estate can now be created. The NHS Lothian has set a precedent for other health boards in Scotland, and beyond.”
The TUC has warned the UK government and employers that “infections could rebound” if workplaces aren’t Covid-Secure – as hospitality and non-essential shops prepare to reopen this month.
The union body says the vaccine rollout and workplace testing must not be used as an excuse to relax safe working rules.
New guidance for “safe and responsible” return
Over 11,000 working age people have died during the pandemic, with thousands of outbreaks in workplaces.
A new TUC report published today sets out the steps ministers and employers should take to keep people safe at work and to prevent another spike in workplace infections.
These include:
1) Making workplaces Covid-Secure: The TUC says all employers must update their risk assessments to take account of what we now know about the importance of ventilation.
As the UK unlocked in summer 2020, more emphasis was placed on surface disinfection – but the guidance has since changed to make effective ventilation the priority.
The TUC says that any activity which can be conducted outside should be, and that employers should invest in ventilation systems, as well as continuing to enforce social distancing and the wearing of face coverings.
A TUC survey of more than 2,000 union safety representatives published this week revealed that one in four reps are unaware of a risk assessment taking place in their workplace in the last two years. This is despite it being a legal requirement for employers to have an up-to-date risk assessment and to consult safety reps and involve staff in writing it.
In addition, the TUC notes that the guidance on working from home has not changed. Everyone who can work from home should continue to do so until at least 21 June. Employers should assess the ability to work from home at the level of individual jobs, and should not require workers to travel to workplaces where they do desk-based jobs, even in sectors that are allowed to be open.
2) Decent sick pay for all:The TUC says decent sick pay remains critical to ensuring a safe return to work.
The union body says it “beggars belief” that a year into the crisis ministers still haven’t fixed the problem of workers not being able to afford to self-isolate – despite repeated warnings from the TUC and the government’s own head of Test and Trace Dido Harding.
A new TUC poll of private sector employers reveals that of those who intend to use workplace testing, 28 per cent pay only statutory sick pay. SSP is now £96.35 per week, which the TUC says is too low to live on and will cause hardship. Only 47 per cent of those employers surveyed who propose to use workplace testing provide full company sick pay.
The TUC says ministers should increase statutory sick pay to at least the rate of the real Living Wage, and extend eligibility to the two million low-paid workers who currently don’t qualify for it.
3) Supporting workers to get vaccinated:The TUC says employers must step up and help the national health effort by giving their staff paid time off to get vaccinated.
But recently published polling reveals less than half of firms surveyed (45%) give their workforces paid time off to get the jab.
The union body says companies should seek to persuade staff to get the vaccine, but not make it a condition of employment. The TUC says that making vaccinations compulsory will damage employer-staff relations and could result in legal cases on the grounds of discrimination.
The TUC says that there are still questions to be answered about Covid status passports, including how testing data will be collected, and how any scheme will maintain the confidentiality of workers’ personal health information.
The TUC believes any Covid status passport scheme must require employers to consult with recognised unions at sectoral and workplace level, and will only work where employers provide decent sick pay.
4) Cracking down on bosses who risk workers’ safety: As the UK reopens, the TUC says that the government must start cracking down on employers who break the rules on workplace safety.
Despite thousands of workplace outbreaks, not a single employer has been fined and prosecuted for putting their staff in danger. And the TUC notes that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has still not amended its much-criticised designation of coronavirus as a “significant” rather than a “serious” workplace risk, which limits the enforcement options open to inspectors.
The TUC says the government must take a much harder stance with companies who flout health and safety rules, and provide the HSE with a long-term funding boost.
TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:“We all want this lockdown to be the last. But if we get workplace safety wrong, the virus could rebound.
“Ministers must send out a strong message to employers: act now on workplace safety.
“The government has imposed big fines on individuals who break lockdown rules. But not a single employer has been prosecuted and fined for putting workers or the public at risk. It’s time for the Health and Safety Executive to crack down on bad bosses.
“Over a year into the pandemic, it beggars belief that ministers have not fixed sick pay. Sick pay is too little to live on. No wonder too many are not self-isolating when they need to.
“Ministers have the power to make self-isolation effective overnight – and cut transmission immediately. All they need to do is raise statutory sick pay to the level of the real Living Wage, and make sure everyone can get it.”
On the responsibilities of employers, Frances said:“Before reopening, every employer must run a new risk assessment, prioritising good ventilation – and act to make sure their workplace is Covid-Secure. They have to consult their workers and unions on their safety plans. And they have to publish their risk assessment to reassure their workers and customers.
“Even as some workplaces reopen, employers must still make sure that everyone who can work from home continues to do so.
“More people are getting vaccinated every day – but that does not mean that employers can skimp on safety measures at work.”
Garden centres and homeware stores reopen on the 5th of April in Scotland and all remaining stores on 26 April.
