Category: Pilton

Police launch Operation Crackle

Nine disperal zones in place for bonfire season

Police in Edinburgh have launched their annual campaign to keep the public safe during the period between Halloween and Bonfire Night.

Operation Crackle will see local officers throughout the Capital out on patrol during evenings and weekends to deter antisocial and criminal activity involving fireworks and keep communities safe from disorder and damage.

Halloween and Bonfire Night weekends are typically some of the busiest times for police, not only in Edinburgh, but across the city, and as always a partnership approach is being taken by the division.

Working alongside the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and City of Edinburgh Council, officers have been engaging with young people through school inputs and social media to highlight the risks associated with fireworks and the consequences of getting involved in any forms of crime using these items.

In addition, police have conducted joint patrols with council environmental wardens and SFRS personnel to carry out environmental audits and identify any debris or materials that could be used to start bonfires.

When found, these items have been removed.

While working to ensure the safety of the public within the city, Operation Crackle also looks to preserve the safety of all emergency service workers deployed during the coming weekends.

A zero tolerance approach towards violence and threatening behaviour is being taken and everyone is urged to act responsibly if handling fireworks.

Supporting Operation Crackle, Police Scotland’s national initiative, Operation Moonbeam is again in place to support local divisions with a range of additional and specialist resources.

These additional officers can be used if public disorder and violence takes place requiring a more robust response.

Dispersal zones will be in operation across Edinburgh again this year in an attempt to combat antisocial behaviour and disorder over the bonfire period.

This is the third year dispersal zones have operated across the city. The zones will run between 2pm and midnight on Wednesday 4th November to Saturday 7th November.

The areas covered by the zones include Muirhouse, West Pilton, Portobello, Loganlea, Saughton, Gorgie, Gilmerton, Moredun and Southhouse.

The dispersal zones enable police to instruct groups of two or more people who are congregating and behaving in an antisocial manner in these areas to disperse. Those who fail to comply, or fail to stay away for up to 24 hours, can face arrest.

Police are asking parents and guardians to have frank conversations with young people in their care and remind them to behave in a manner that does not put themselves, or others, at risk of harm.

Unlike previous years, organised Bonfire Night events have all been cancelled as a result of COVID-19. Police patrols will take place across the city to identify illegal bonfires, as well as deal with any breaches of current Scottish Government coronavirus restriction legislation.

Chief Inspector David Happs, who is leading on Operation Crackle, said: “We know that the vast majority of those who purchase fireworks do so in order to enjoy Bonfire Night responsibly. However, a small minority use the Halloween and Bonfire Night period to get involved in disorder and commit acts of violence and damage.

“Let me make it clear, that such behaviour is not acceptable and if you are involved in criminality involving fireworks, you can expect to be arrested. If not on the night, then as we carry out follow-up inquiries.

“I know many people will be really disappointed that they are unable to attend organised events this year, but I would urge everyone to be mindful of existing guidelines and legislation aimed at stopping the spread of COVID-19. Please do not do anything that puts you in breach of the current restrictions.

“For the past three years, we have been able to call upon additional specialist national resources to assist local officers. Once again, these officers are available if they are needed and I’m grateful to have them as an operational consideration.

“We want everyone to have a great Halloween and Bonfire Night, but please enjoy these events responsibly and help us keep you, and everyone else, safe throughout.”

Kenny Rogers, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Local Senior Officer for the City of Edinburgh, said: “This Bonfire Night will be a different experience for many of us.

“We know that many organised public displays have been cancelled due to COVID-19 and that some may consider private use of fireworks in their gardens.

“We would urge caution over the private use of fireworks and remind people that these items can pose grave dangers.

“If you are planning on using fireworks in a private setting, please familiarise yourself with our Fireworks Code before purchasing. It is designed to help keep you and your loved ones safe.

“I would like to stress that this is our busiest night of the year and that we must maintain a capacity to respond to emergencies.

“Last year we saw a large spike in deliberate fire-setting and this can divert firefighters away from genuine emergencies, where lives may be at risk.

“We do take a zero-tolerance approach to fire-setting and will work with police to identify those responsible, but we also realise it’s a very small minority of people involved.

“Ultimately, I would urge those who are marking Bonfire Night to help us by reading all safety advice before using fireworks and by helping protect Scotland’s emergency services.”

“For more information visit our fireworks safety page at ww.firescotland.gov.uk/your-safety/fireworks-safety.aspx”

Councillor Amy McNeese-Mechan, Chair of Edinburgh Community Safety Partnership said: “Protecting our communities from harm is a priority for us all in the Edinburgh Community Safety Partnership and we will continue to work with our partners to prevent anti-social behaviour in the lead up to Bonfire Night to ensure that Edinburgh remains a safe place for its residents.

“It’s important that we all look after each other. Fly tipping during the Bonfire and Fireworks season can be a major cause of fire and we ask that if anyone sees fly tipping or notices an area where there is a build-up of refuse or combustible material to please let the council know.”

Morrisons to donate 15,000 lunchboxes daily to help schoolchildren in need

– Move aims to help fight holiday hunger this half-term – 

–  Customers can also purchase pre-packed bags of groceries to feed  young people –

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Morrisons stores will join the national effort to ensure no school child in need goes without an adequate meal this half term. 

Morrisons colleagues in 498 stores will prepare 30 lunch boxes in each of their stores this half-term. That’s 14,940 lunches daily with packaging donated by distribution company Bunzl. 

The lunchboxes will be distributed daily by each store to local food banks and schools so they can get them to school children in need. The lunch box includes a freshly made sandwich, a piece of fruit and a Soreen snack pack.

Morrisons is also to offer customers the option to support the effort by buying their own ‘Pick Up Packs’, which will also be distributed to young people. 

The packs’ cost between £1 and £5 and contain a nutritionally balanced mix of food products that have been requested by the local food banks and schools according to their needs. The pre-packed parcels are available at the front of all Morrisons stores and are paid for at the checkout. The pack is then put aside for delivery to those in need.

Rebecca Singleton, Customer and Community Director at Morrisons, said: “We want to do our bit to ensure that as many school children as possible can eat good, nutritious food while they are out of school.

“We will be delighted if customers are also able to donate food in our stores to help fight holiday hunger.”

Local Morrisons stores on Ferry Road and Granton Waterfront are already providing great support through contributions to the North Edinburgh COVID-19 Foodshare Group.

For more information visit www.morrisons.co.uk

North Edinburgh’s Covid group produce October newsletter

North Edinburgh’s COVID-19 Food Share Group has produced a third newsletter.

Volunteers will commence doorstep deliveries this week. If you can’t wait to see the latest issue, see below!

Newsletter-3-Final-Download

Appeal for witnesses to cycle path jewellery robbery

Police are appealing for information after a woman was robbed of jewellery on the cycle path in Boswall on Saturday evening.

At around 6.30pm on Saturday (17 October), a 39-year-old woman was walking along the cycle path between Wardie Road and Granton Road, when she was approached by a man on a bike who, after a short conversation, demanded her watch and diamond rings before riding off towards Drylaw.

The woman was not injured but has been left shaken by the incident.

The suspect is described as white, of medium build, with short dark hair and had a local accent. He was wearing a blue surgical face mask, dark coloured cotton tracksuit top and bottoms. He was on a dark coloured bike with no lights.

Detective Constable Peter Lyons, Costorphine CID, Edinburgh, said: “Whilst the watch and jewellery have a combined value of approximately a four-figure sum of money, it’s more their sentimental value – especially the lady’s engagement and eternity rings – that is upsetting for her.

“She was on the walkway which goes between Wardie Road and Granton Road and was just approaching the Wardie Road exit when she was approached by the man.

“This can be a busy thoroughfare and I am sure there would have been people about who either saw the robbery or who may have seen the man on the bike hanging about the area.

“Officers are checking CCTV at the moment to try an identify the thief, however, would appeal to anyone who may have information that will assist their investigation to come forward.

“If you think you can help, please call Costorphine Police Station via 101 quoting reference number 3256 of Saturday, 17 October, 2020. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Make A Splash! Edinburgh Leisure offers Family Swim

As leisure venues start to adapt to the new norm, Edinburgh Leisure has introduced new Family Swim sessions at their five pools that are open, in a bid to offer activities for all ages and stages.

The Family Swim sessions will be available to book at Ainslie Park Leisure Centre, Drumbrae Leisure Centre, The Royal Commonwealth Pool, Gracemount Leisure Centre and Leith Victoria Swim Centre.

To enable customers to safely enjoy the benefits of family swimming, the pool will be sectioned off into ‘pods’, with each family having their own private area. Each pod will cost from £9.60 – £12, depending on type of membership held.

Members can book eight days in advance or seven days for non-members, with sessions starting from Saturday, 17 October 2020.  Booking is now live to members and non-members can book from 9pm tonight (Friday, 9th October).

Customers will be able to book a 40-minute session with a maximum of five people, from the same household bubble. However, customers will need to stick to the existing adult: child ratios*.

This will allow flexibility for how customers use the space – e.g. children from 9-12 years who do not need to socially distance, can book to attend with their friends if they wish. During any one sessions, there will be between three to eight pods to book.

Angela McCowan, Swim Development Officer at Edinburgh Leisure said:  “We are delighted to be welcoming families back to our pools. We know how popular previous family swim sessions have been so opening up our pools to families in time for the October holidays, will mean that more people, of all ages and stages, can continue to get active with Edinburgh Leisure.

”Things may be a little different than before but we have everything in place to keep families safe and most importantly, enjoy making a splash with us.”

Following guidance from Scottish Swimming and from Edinburgh Leisure’s Health and Compliance Manager, Edinburgh Leisure has introduced the following guidelines to keep everyone safe:

  • All Family Swim Sessions must be pre-booked online or via the Edinburgh Leisure app.  To book a session, an Edinburgh Leisure account is required. (This will be in place if a person is an Edinburgh Leisure customer of hold a discount or loyalty card).  For customers who do not have an account, one can easily be created by visiting the Edinburgh Leisure website.
  • Customers are encouraged to arrive ‘beach-ready’, wearing their swimwear underneath their clothes to minimise time spent in changing areas. Lockers will be available for customer use but customers should bring their own token.  (These are also available to buy at reception with cashless payment.)
  • Customers will be asked to follow the COVID-19 guidance, and maintain physical distancing, sanitising hands before and after each session, and following any signage guidance around the venue. Masks are mandatory when moving around public places, unless exempt due to age or health conditions.
  • Customers are asked to arrive only 5 minutes before their swim time.  Any earlier, they will be asked to wait outside the venue, physically distanced in their groups.
  • No toys or equipment will be provided or loaned by Edinburgh Leisure.  However, customers will be allowed to bring their own toys with them to the session, including floats, sinkers, armbands – but they must be washed before entering the pool. Large inflatables are not allowed. There will also be items available to purchase, using cashless payment only.
  • Once a family session has finished, customers will be asked to exit the pool safely and ensure they maintain distancing from other family groups.  Although showers will be available to rinse off after the session, the use of soaps, shampoos and conditioners is discouraged.  This is to maintain physical distancing.  Hairdryers and costumer drying will not be available.
  • Customers or any family group/household displaying symptoms of COVID-19 are asked not to book or to cancel any pre-booked sessions.

For more information:   https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/activities/swim/types-of-swimming

TSB in Pilton earmarked for closure

The TSB bank branch on Boswall Parkway is among 164 to be closed, TSB has announced. Edinbugh’s Corstorphine and Gorgie branches also face the axe.

TSB blames “a significant shift in customer behaviour” as more customers bank online. (Perhaps more customers ‘choose’ to bank online as more and more of their local branches are shut down? – Ed.)

Debbie Crosbie, Chief Executive of TSB, said: “Closing any of our branches is never an easy decision, but our customers are banking differently – with a marked shift to digital banking.

“We are reshaping our business to transform the customer experience and set us up for the future. This means having the right balance between branches on the high street and our digital platforms, enabling us to offer the very best experience for our personal and business customers across the UK.

“We remain committed to our branch network and will retain one of the largest in the UK.”

THIS ‘RESHAPING’ WILL SEE THE TSB CLOSE ONE THIRD OF IT’S BRANCHES

Robin Bulloch, Customer Banking Director at TSB, said: “Alongside these changes, we will continue to invest in our remaining branch network to offer high quality banking services, fully integrated with improved digital capability.

“We are working to ensure the transition towards digital – which is being seen right across the economy – is handled sensitively and pragmatically for our colleagues and customers. We’re taking steps to support vulnerable customers and those in rural locations.”

The latest figure is in addition to the 82 branches it said it would close in November, when TSB set out plans to save £100m by 2022.

Unite trade union described the TSB’s announcement as “a dark day for the finance sector”.

Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, said: “These bank closures are extremely concerning and a sign of the impact that Covid-19 is having on the economy in Edinburgh and the Lothians.

“In recent years there have been a number of bank closures which affect people’s access to banking facilities and makes it harder for people to manage their finances.

“It is crucial that bank employees who are being made redundant are fully supported in finding new roles and any training for those roles.”

Drive-through flu vaccination clinics open in Edinburgh

Drive-through clinics have been opened by the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership (EHSCP) in Edinburgh this weekend to make it as quick, safe and easy as possible for people to get their flu vaccine.

The clinics will continue to operate on weekends in October and November and each site can vaccinate up to 500 people a day.

As well as over 65s, pregnant people and those at risk due to existing health conditions, this year unpaid carers and those who lived with people who shielded during lockdown will be offered a free flu jab.

By developing flu drive throughs, everyone entitled to a free flu vaccine from a household can attend at the same time. For those who don’t have access to a car, a series of walk through clinics are being arranged and Edinburgh locations will be available on the NHS Inform website once confirmed.

Keeping the people of Edinburgh safe and healthy is a priority, so before the jab is administered, a nurse will ask some questions to make sure it is safe to administer the vaccine. The person receiving the jab doesn’t need to leave their car and will also be asked to wait 15 minutes before leaving the clinic to ensure there’s no reaction to the vaccine.

If you are eligible for a free flu vaccine, or for more information, go to www.nhsinform.scot/flu to find out where you can get your jab in Edinburgh. If you qualify for a free vaccine you’ll be given a time to attend a clinic after completing a short questionnaire.

Judith Proctor, Chief Officer for the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “As part of our mission to support a caring, healthier and safer Edinburgh, we’re committed to making it even easier to get a flu vaccine this year. The flu vaccine is an important health protection measure and we want to make sure that everyone who is eligible has access to the vaccine.

“To keep the people of Edinburgh safe, and to respect physical distancing measures, we have confirmed a range of Edinburgh venues to offer access to the flu vaccine, including a drive through service at sites across the city. This is the first time a drive through model has been used for vaccinations in Scotland, and could provide a blueprint for how to deliver vaccination programmes successfully in the future.

“Details of where people can go to receive a flu vaccine will be available on the NHS Inform website.”

Blackhall Medical Centre, Muirhouse Medical Group, Crewe Medical Centre and Davidson’s Mains Medical Centre patients will be directed to a walk-through facility at Pennywell All Care Centre or the drive-through at Scottish Gas HQ on Granton waterfront.

First Home Fund pilot success

First-time buyers have less than a week to apply for the pilot First Home Fund, which has helped thousands to enter the property market.

The new scheme has been particularly popular since the housing market reopened in June, and is expected to support more than 8,000 households into home ownership by the end of the financial year.

Homebuyers who are completing purchases this financial year have until 6pm on 2 October to apply.

The fund, which offers first-time buyers loans of up to £25,000 for their deposit, was launched in December 2019 to pilot a new approach to supporting first-time buyers. The pilot will now be evaluated, with the results expected to be published in January.

However, recognising its early success, the Scottish Government intends to reopen for applications in the new year for home purchases completing in 2021/22.

Housing Minister Kevin Stewart said: “The pilot of our First Home Fund has been a huge success, helping thousands of people own their first home.

“The fund has been especially important since property sales resumed over the summer, and we invested a further £50 million in July to help ensure that first-time buyers could still access the market despite changes to mortgages caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

“While the scheme is almost fully subscribed for 2020-21, I am pleased to say that I will reopen the pilot for the next financial year, and look forward to announcing further details of this in due course.

“In the meantime, first-time buyers will still be able to access shared equity schemes including Help to Buy (Scotland) and LIFT (the Low-cost Initiative for First Time Buyers), and I would encourage them to consider these options.”

Cameron McKenzie, who bought a two-bedroom flat in Pilton through the fund, said: “Thanks to the First Home Fund we bought our first home far earlier than we ever imagined, especially during these uncertain times! The application process was easy to understand and Link staff were very helpful.”

The First Home Fund was launched with an initial budget of £150 million. The Scottish Government invested a further £50 million in July in response to reduced availability of higher loan-to-value mortgages caused by the COVID-19 crisis.

Change to flu vaccination process at Crewe Medical Centre this winter

Crewe Medical Centre will not be carrying out flu vaccinations in the surgery this winter.

Instead there will a drive-thru and walk-thru hub instead which will commence mid October. Details of where this will take place and dates will be confirmed at the start of October.

Alternatively you can contact your local pharmacy.