Police have charged two men following a number of housebreakings, thefts and attempted housebreakings in the city. The incidents took place at 18 properties in the city centre, New Town, Newington and Broughton areas between the 23rd August and 26th September. Continue reading Two charged following housebreaking spree
Campaign launched to increase understanding and reporting of hate crime
The Scottish Government has joined with Police Scotland and the Crown Office (COPFS) to launch a new campaign against hate crime.
‘Hate has no home in Scotland’ launched during Hate Crime Awareness Week and will run until 26 November. It aims to increase public understanding of what hate crime is, and how to report it – for those who personally experience it and, importantly, bystanders to hate crimes.
More than 5,300 cases of hate crime were reported in Scotland over the past year, with many other incidents going unreported. The campaign has been developed in partnership with a broad range of stakeholders involved in dealing with hate crime and its consequences as a response.
Launching the campaign, Equalities Secretary Angela Constance (above) said: “We all need to play our part to eradicate hate crime, which has no place in Scotland. ‘Hate has no home’ encourages and empowers people to recognise hate crime and report it, stopping this discrimination at its source. That is particularly important when people are bystanders – no one should be a passive witness when one of our fellow citizens is attacked because of who they are.
“We are committed to working with stakeholders, including Police Scotland and the COPFS, to tackle this blight. Ensuring we all take a stand and report hate crime is an important part of creating a fairer country for all. I look forward to seeing the country come together to support the campaign and take a stand against such hate.”
Chief Superintendent John McKenzie, Police Scotland, Safer Communities, said: “People of all races, religions, ethnicities, of any sexual orientation or with any disability should be able to live their lives free from hate or harassment. There is no place for hate in Scotland and it is our communities, who will lead the way in tackling hate crime with the support of police, the Government and other partners.
“Hate crime is under reported, we want to change that and we are asking people not to be bystanders. Speak out, help us tackle hate crime. By working together we can drive prejudice out of our communities and out of Scotland.”
Lord Advocate James Wolffe QC said: “Crime motivated by hatred is not only a wrong against the individual, but is an affront to our collective values as a community, creating division and fear. That is why we treat it so seriously and why we will continue to do so.
“The prosecution service, along with our colleagues in Police Scotland and other agencies, plays an essential role in creating an environment in which all people who live in Scotland, regardless of their personal or social circumstances, can have confidence that they live in a just society and that they will be protected from crime.”
More information on the campaign can be found here.
Over £50,000 was raised for Hospice UK from the sale of new polymer bank notes from Clydesdale Bank. The money will go to support hospice and end of life care across the UK. Continue reading Clydesdale Bank note auction raises over £50,000 for hospice care
The UK has seen a staggering 400% increase in liver disease in the past 50 years. Perk Up Your Liver is encouraging everyone to have a coffee break (with or without cake!) to raise awareness and funds to help the British Liver Trust combat this deadly disease. The campaign runs nationwide from 30 October – 5 November. Continue reading Perk up your liver!
Two hundred school pupils from across Edinburgh, the Lothians and the Borders are celebrating after completing a pioneering academies programme to boost their education and employment prospects. Continue reading Two hundred pupils complete SESAP education programme
Staff and students at Edinburgh Napier University took part in a 24-hour indoor charity cycle which raised £1100. Continue reading Charity cycle event raises £1100 for Macmillan
Delighted to send you a prompt for our next Saturday event, this coming Saturday (writes KAREN BATES of Wardie Bay Beachwatch). Last month’s Great British Beach Clean weekend had us change our pattern a little bit, but we’ll slowly get back to normal and go back to the original beginning of the month plan. How do people feel about December, January, February? Happy to brave the elements?
Continue reading Wardie Bay Beachwatch this Saturday
A new scheme developed by the Scottish Government and Scottish Funding Council is offering Scottish businesses an opportunity to apply for up to £10,000 worth of training at Edinburgh College. The new Flexible Workforce Development Fund (FWDF) provides eligible employers with up to £10,000 worth of training from their local college, to upskill and reskill their existing workforce. Continue reading Opportunity for employers to apply for up to £10,000 worth of training at Edinburgh College
‘World class’ results for Scotland show innovative new approaches are working
There has been a rise in the number of people who are being successfully resuscitated following a cardiac arrest in Scotland, according to new figures. Latest Scottish Ambulance Service statistics show that, on average, 66 per cent of patients suffering a witnessed cardiac arrest by ambulance crews were successfully resuscitated and alive on arrival at hospital over the last six months. Continue reading “World Class” figures mark Restart a Heart Day
Scotland’s largest landlord membership organisation, in partnership with the Scottish Government, will be holding an information event for Edinburgh and Lothians landlords to understand their new responsibilities when a new tenancy agreement for the Private Rented Sector (PRS) comes in to force in December.
The event, which is free and open to anyone who lets out property, takes place at Queen Margaret University on Tuesday 24 October from 6pm – 8.30pm. Continue reading Lothian landlord event to “reduce perils” of new tenancy agreements
