Crimestoppers Scotland receives record number of calls

Over the past year (1st April 2020-31st March 2021) independent charity Crimestoppers Scotland and their youth programme Fearless received a record 16,500 calls and contacts from the Scottish public.

This increase sees the most disseminations to Police Scotland and Law Enforcement ever – representing a 10% increase in crime information compared to 19/20 and a 65% increase over five years.

Responding to school and youth service closures, Fearless delivered 12 Scotland-wide campaigns focused on empowering young people with key information about high harm crimes.

Over 58,000 young people from all across Scotland visited the charity’s youth website Fearless.org and reported crime – 100% anonymously – more than ever before. 

Information from the public also achieved:

  • 549 Criminals arrested and charged (thanks to Police Scotland & Law Enforcement)
  • Three people were arrested and charged with murder/unlawful killings.
  • ‘Street’ Value of drugs recovered £1,479,599. Nearly ONE AND A HALF MILLION.
  • Six Wanted Persons and Fugitives were arrested and charged.
  • 27 disqualified and uninsured drivers were arrested and charged.
  • Five arrested for possession of a firearm and five firearms recovered.

Angela Parker, National Manager for Crimestoppers Scotland, said: ‘The past year has been unprecedented and very challenging, but people across Scotland came forward and trusted us with their information.

“From drug dealing to child harm and neglect, we heard from thousands of people concerned about crime in communities. We are so encouraged and grateful for the people who contacted our charity – thanks to the Scottish public, life is better for many and communities are safer.” 

 Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie (Partnerships, Prevention and Community Wellbeing) said: “We want the public to know they can trust us when they come to us with information, we take their reports seriously and carry out thorough investigations into incidents or crimes that may be reported. 

“We also understand though that speaking to the police in person about certain situations can be daunting for some. In that respect, Crimestoppers is an essential partner for Police Scotland, enabling people to submit information anonymously and allowing that information to be shared with us quickly.

“We’re also grateful to Fearless for its ongoing survey giving young people a chance to speak about what they think about crime and how safe they feel in their communities. Their input will help shape our approach and interactions with young people for the future.’’

Ash Denham MSP, Minister for Community Safety said: “The Scottish Government is committed to tackling crime in Scotland by working across the country with partners, such as Crimestoppers, to help communities remain safe and resilient where people can live their lives safe from crime and harm.

“By picking up the phone and contacting Crimestoppers you can help to prevent, detect and solve crime. The number of reports to Crimestoppers has reached a record high in the past 12 months.

“This has been of particular importance and value during these challenging times and I would like to thank them sincerely for the part they play in helping keep people in Scotland safe.”

Still two weeks left to make your mark in Green Pencil Award 2021

Edinburgh libraries’ successful environmentally themed creative writing competition, open to all P4 – P7 aged children in Edinburgh and, once again, to young people in S1-3 runs until 15 October 2021.

There has been a lot of attention recently regarding climate change and its effects on the natural environment. In November 2021 the Unite Nations will host COP26  in Glasgow.

We challenge you to think, if you were an animal, a bird, a tree, a plant or even a mountain or river in Scotland, what would be your story about climate change.

Or perhaps …

You wish to tell us what experiences you are going through, if we don’t tackle climate change, what does the future look like in 2030.

Entries could be poetry, prose or story, all we asked was that the writing is the author’s own work and was no longer than one side of A4 paper.

Hear last year’s winning entries on Tales of One City.

As the nights draw in …

Heart of Newhaven’s October newsletter

All about project updates …


Our friendship benches are now being decorated!

On October 8th, a group of older and younger people  from the New Spin intergenerational project at the Citadel will decorate the first of our six friendship benches, all of which have been made by Mens Shed.

The New Spin group will be working with local artist Johnathan Elders to create patterns for the backs of the bench. Further benches will be decorated in further sessions, so each will be unique. The project is being run with the help of Thrive, to celebrate World Mental Health Day on 10th October.

Fruit tree planting in Victoria Park

Our Greening Team have been busy with plans for the area and pupils from Trinity High and Trinity Primary Schools will be helping to plant some young fruit trees in Victoria Park this winter to enhance the area, by adding beauty, interest and biodiversity.

There are already a couple of small trees in situ, so those will be added to, to create a mini orchard. The trees will be Scottish heritage fruit trees, specially chosen for the site, and will include apple, pear and plum. 

Each one will have its own protective cage, provided by Edinburgh City Council, and the pupils will learn from a Royal Botanic Gardens representative how best to plant and care for them.

We hope to work on more tree-planting and wilding projects in the future, not just in the parks but in the more built-up parts of our neighbourhood, where urban nature needs some encouragement. 

 Keep abreast of the latest news on our Greening Page

Environment Page


And more on green issues

The Heart of Newhaven Community was assessed by It’s Your Neighbourhood, part of the Keep Scotland Beautiful charity recently, and despite it only being the first year of our association with them, we have scored a Level 3, (out of five) which means we are “advancing”.

The score was helped by having achieved our goal of funding from the Scottish Land Fund to acquire the site, as well as successfully engaging with a variety of local communities and groups. Well done everyone involved. The next level is “thriving” and the top level is “outstanding”. How long will it be?

Forth Reflections

On October 22nd from 2pm – 4 pm we are collaborating with an exhibition in the main entrance to Ocean Terminal called ‘Forth Reflections and Expressions of Wellbeing’. The event is being organised in conjunction with the Edinburgh Wellbeing PACT and the Forth/Edinburgh Shoreline Project.

Conceived during the dark days of winter lockdown this project is the passionate responses of well over a hundred different people to a part of the Forth coast that is special to them.

A long storyline of enmeshed crafted memories and visions of the Forth has emerged, linking the Fife, Edinburgh and East Lothian coasts, biodiversity, people and communities.

Each participant expressed their response to their chosen 1km of coast on a calico square and many people have focused on the coast’s local history and wildlife, its beauty and diversity and the many species and memories that have been and are still being lost. While frustration and anger can be seen in many pieces about marine and intertidal pollution, there is also heartfelt hope for the future.

We hope that as many people as possible will call in and have a chat. Not only will it be an opportunity to talk to us about our plans for the Heart in general but we also want to have conversations about wellbeing and what it means to each of us in our community. As inspiration we will be displaying a selection of the calico squares created by local people.

Call in to see the display and have a chat.

Keep watching our website and social media platforms for the latest news, as we await the move of Victoria Primary School pupils to their new home and the handover of the keys for the site from Edinburgh City Council to the Heart.

Edinburgh creative projects get go ahead with Lottery funding

Thirteen creative projects from Edinburgh-based artists and creative organisations are taking place thanks to more than £253,000 National Lottery funding through Creative Scotland.  

And If Not Now When? – a new audio-visual installation being exhibited at National Museum of Scotland; Open Book – a project aimed at making literature accessible to diverse populations and Positive Imaginings, an innovative outdoor show presenting the issue of climate change for young audiences are among 44 projects in total sharing in £903,734 of funding.  

And If Not Now When? (above) is a new work from sound-designer Philip Pinsky and film-maker Karen Lamond. The interactive audio-visual installation aims to inspire a re-imagining of our urban spaces and what our human experience of them is and can be. 

The installation will be on public display at National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh from 1st to 14th November 2021 (during COP26). 

Co-creator and sound designer Philip Pinsky says: “Through our work we are inviting the public to experience a transformed urban reality with the aim of inspiring social change and provoking answers to the question, how can we respond to the climate emergency?” 

Open Book uses literature as a tool for combating social isolation, supporting wellbeing, inspiring creativity and amplifying marginalised voices.  

Open Book’s co-founder and development director Marjorie Lotfi says: “Participants describe our groups as ‘a lifesaver’, an ‘oasis’ and a ‘way to connect’ with others when they feel isolated by geography, disability or circumstance. 

“Funding means we can continue this work from Shetland to Ullapool to Stranraer, in community groups, groups for the elderly and refugees and migrants, in prisons, and in public sessions in English, Gaelic, Scots and Arabic.” 

Speactram is the debut album from vocalist, lyricist and poet Marcas Mac an Tuairneir. This debut release will see Marcas embrace the Gaelic language whilst showcasing musical influences from the genres of pop, pop-folk, R&B and dance.

A key element of this new work will be an exploration of LGBTQ’s place within the Gaelic corpus.  

Marcas Mac an Tuairneir says: “I am grateful to Creative Scotland for seeing the worth in me as an artist and this new development in Gaelic music.

“As an urban new speaker of Gaelic, it is important to me that Gaelic arts represent the myriad experiences of the community across Scotland and in Canada too.”  

Finally, Positive Imaginings is a new outdoor show from Rowanbank Environmental Arts & Education CIC.

Director Arran Sheppard said: “Creative Scotland funding will enable us to bring the Positive Imaginings show to communities in Edinburgh and Glasgow during COP26, giving children from disadvantaged backgrounds the opportunity to engage with the Climate Emergency in a creative and empowering way.”

Iain Munro, CEO, Creative Scotland said: “Thanks to the generosity of National Lottery players who raise £34 million for good causes across the UK every week, our Open Fund awards are helping artists and creative organisations develop innovative projects that enrich the lives of people across Scotland, while raising questions about the important issues of our time and ensuring our collective creative voice continues to be heard.”

A full list of recipients of Open Fund awards is available on the Creative Scotland website.

RRS Discovery secures vital funding to safeguard it’s future

Support from the National Heritage Memorial Fund protects iconic ship for the next generation, just weeks before Scotland hosts world climate conference

RRS Discovery, the world’s first ship to be designed specifically for scientific research and the sole survivor from the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration, has been safeguarded from critical deterioration thanks to £409,000 funding from the National Heritage Memorial Fund.

RRS Discovery, whose work is still used by climate change scientists, is the centrepiece of Dundee’s Discovery Point, one of two five star rated visitor attractions expertly cared for by the Dundee Heritage Trust. Now, more than a century after she was built in Dundee, urgent repairs are needed to preserve this iconic ship for future generations.

Specialist ship surveyors instructed by Dundee Heritage Trust recently found that the fabric of RRS Discovery has deteriorated, as is common with a wooden ship of her age, with an estimated £1.3m of work needed to prevent further damage and to secure her future as an internationally acclaimed visitor attraction.

The first stage of the urgent repair work, covered by the £409k funding announced today, will address:

  • timbers in the ship’s stern which are in an advanced state of degradation, affecting structural integrity
  • the stanchions or supports along the portside, which are in poor condition, resulting in rainwater leaking into the hull. Action is urgently required to avoid further damage and progressive decay; and
  • recaulking, necessary for ensuring the ship is watertight.

Built in Dundee in 1900 for Captain Robert Falcon Scott’s first Antarctic expedition, RRS Discovery undertook the world’s first scientific research in the Antarctic. 

The ground-breaking science carried out on this, and later expeditions, produced critical benchmark data and technological innovations that are still used by climate and environmental scientists. 

The historic ship returned to the city in 1986 and was greeted by thousands of people lining the docks – a turning point in Dundee’s fortunes after many years of decline. She remains a much-loved, iconic presence on Dundee’s waterfront and is Trip Advisor’s top-rated attraction in the city, consistently retaining the highly prized Travellers’ Choice Award, given only to those ranked in the top 10% internationally. 

Today’s funding news comes as Scotland gears up to host COP26, the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, hosted in Glasgow from 31 October to 12 November 2021.

Dundee University’s Dr Simon Cook, an expert in Geographical and Environmental Science, said: “As the world’s first scientific research ship, RRS Discovery occupies a unique position in the history of climate change science.  

“It is very fitting that this funding is being announced as Scotland prepares to host COP26, 100 years after Captain Scott and his crew first ventured to the uncharted Antarctic wilderness, setting a benchmark for scientific discovery that is still important to this day.

“Today, satellites are one of the most important tools for learning about climate change in Antarctica, but we lack data from before the advent of satellite technology. Observations made in the RRS Discovery’s ship logs about sea ice extent, for example, are still being used today to understand longer term changes in ice cover and the climate of this region.” 

RRS Discovery is officially recognised as one of the country’s most important historic ships and is the only polar research vessel in the UK’s National Historic Fleet. 

She is one of the last wooden three-masted sailing ships to be built in Britain and the only example of the type to survive. She was built in Dundee because of the city’s expertise in constructing strong whaling ships and was designed to withstand the ice-packed areas of the Antarctic. 

RRS Discovery was involved in three pioneering areas of polar research:

  • the British National Antarctic Expedition 1901-04 – the first extensive and highly successful scientific exploration of the Antarctic land mass, under the command of Captain Robert Falcon Scott;
  • the Discovery Oceanographic Expedition 1925-27 – the first maritime research undertaken to explore the natural habitat of whales, resulting in the world’s first whale conservation programme; and
  • the British, Australian and New Zealand Antarctic Research Expedition 1929-31 – an extensive survey of the land masses and oceans of the South Atlantic and Antarctic.

The critical work announced today will form the first phase of the ship’s conservation, with further renovations planned as part of Discovery Point Transformed.  

This £12m redevelopment project was given the green light at the beginning of August 2021 thanks to substantial investment from the Scottish Government as part of the Tay Cities Deal and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with additional fundraising currently underway. 

This project, run by the Dundee Heritage Trust, will transform one of Dundee’s most popular and highly rated museums, Discovery Point, into a new multi-element visitor attraction with a strong emphasis on climate change and environmental sustainability. 

Jim Pettigrew, Chair of Dundee Heritage Trust said: “RRS Discovery is the pride of Dundee and the jewel in the crown of our historic waterfront, which is now a major tourist destination attracting visitors from around the globe. 

“This essential conservation work is also an important step towards our £12m plans to redevelop Discovery Point, with a major fundraising campaign taking place to secure the remaining investment needed to make this possible.”

Dr Simon Thurley, Chair, National Heritage Memorial Fund, said: “We are delighted to support this essential preservation work to RRS Discovery, a ship of national importance in Scotland and the UK.

“The National Heritage Memorial Fund exists to safeguard some of our finest heritage at risk of loss, and thanks to our support of £409,000 RRS Discovery will continue to be an important draw to visitors to Dundee’s historic waterfront.

“The ship joins the many hundreds of important and much-loved treasures that can be seen and enjoyed across the UK thanks to the National Heritage Memorial Fund.”

The work is expected to be carried out within 12 months. RRS Discovery will remain open to the public throughout.

Waterfront “will lead the way”

An outline business case to create a £1.3bn well-connected, sustainable new coastal town at Granton Waterfront will be considered at the Policy and Sustainability Committee next week.

If approved, a final business case for a first phase of regeneration will be developed over the next 18 months using the skills and experience of a development partner, whilst also progressing plans for a low carbon heat network solution. 

Over the next 15 years the regeneration of Granton Waterfront will deliver around 3,500 net zero carbon homes, a primary school, health centre, commercial and cultural space, sustainable transport provision and a new coastal park.

Progress has already been made in the area, including accelerating the delivery of around 661 Council-led homes alongside the provision of key amenities and enhanced connectivity.

There has also been positive progress in growing a cultural and arts cluster in Granton Waterfront.

Recent announcements include the start of works to refurbish the Granton Station building into a creative work space with a lease being given to leading Scottish arts Charity Wasps, and arts charity Edinburgh Palette has been granted a lease in our vacant industrial until on West Shore Road.

The industrial unit was recently used for a successful music, visual arts and cultural festival by the Hidden Door on a temporary basis.

The iconic Granton Gasholder is now also illuminated every night for a period of up to two years, a beacon of light for the project following a joint initiative with Edinburgh College. 

Council leader, Adam McVey, said: “This business case gives us a blueprint to go forward and clearly demonstrates our commitment to tackling climate change as we start to gear up for COP26 next month.

“Granton Waterfront is one of the seven strategic development sites in the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region deal and as one of the most environmentally friendly areas under development in Scotland is expected to lead the way in sustainable development in the city as part of Edinburgh’s commitment to be net zero carbon by 2030.

Depute leader and lead on the Granton Waterfront project, Cammy Day, said: “This development is making a large contribution to Edinburgh’s housing needs and our proposed City Plan 2030 being considered by councillors on the Planning Committee this week.

“Granton Waterfront will lead the way in the city providing much-needed sustainable housing following the 20 minute neighbourhood approach with shops, healthcare, cultural and leisure and education facilities all nearby.

“It will be well connected to the rest of Edinburgh and beyond with new sustainable travel links and active travel routes running through the site adhering to the principles of sustainable travel in our City Mobility Plan.”

Vaccine certification scheme comes into effect today

Proof of status now needed at higher risk venues

The Coronavirus vaccine certification scheme comes into effect today in Scotland meaning people will have to show proof  of their vaccination status to  enter some events and higher risk venues.

People attending a range of  late night venues and larger  indoor and outdoor live events, such as music festivals or large sporting events, will be required to show staff their Covid status. This can be done via the NHS Scotland Covid Status App released yesterday on their mobile device or using the paper certificate.

Following consultation with businesses affected a grace period has been agreed until Monday October 18th before the scheme is legally enforced. The legal requirement for businesses to keep information about certification status confidential and not use it for other purposes comes into effect today.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said:  “We know from expert public health analysis that we must do all we can to stem the rise in cases and reduce the pressure on the NHS.

“Vaccine certificates have a role to play as part of a wider package of measures. They add a further layer of protection in certain higher risk settings.

“This is a very limited scheme and we hope this will allow businesses to remain open and prevent any further restrictions as we head into autumn and winter.

“I would encourage people to to download the NHS Scotland Covid Status App and help our drive to keep the virus under control.

“Scotland is not unique in introducing such an approach. Certification schemes are in place across Europe, including Ireland and France, and the Welsh Government is also planning similar measures.

“I also want to ensure that as many people get vaccinated as possible and particularly to increase uptake in the younger age cohort, so anything that helps to incentivise that is helpful.”

The Scottish Government will continue to work with the sectors affected and updated guidance has been published to help ensure the smooth introduction of the scheme.

People in Scotland can download the NHS Scotland Covid Status App via their mobile device. A  paper certificate or the downloadable PDF is also available from NHS Inform. 

The Regulations which came into force at 5am today and must be reviewed every three weeks as part of the wider review of Coronavirus Regulations.

There are currently no plans to introduce certification for the wider hospitality industry but this will be kept under review over the autumn and winter months.

Exemptions to the scheme include under 18s, participants in vaccine trials, as well as people who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons and people working or performing in the venues.

Officials are currently working with other UK jurisdictions to help ensure people vaccinated outside Scotland can still enter the venues affected with proof of their vaccine status.

The NHS Scotland Covid Status App is available for download from NHS Inform: 

NHS Scotland COVID Status | NHS inform

Businesses can use the free NHS Scotland Covid Check App to verify the QR codes on official Covid Certificates: 

www.covidcheck.scot

Three sought following attempted robbery in Claremont Court

Detectives in Edinburgh are appealing for information following the attempted robbery of a man and woman in the Claremont area. The incident took place around 10.50pm on Tuesday (28th September) in a property at Claremont Court.

The victims, a couple in their 60s, were approached and threatened by three males, who arrived and left Claremont Court on a motorcycle.

The suspects are described as follows:

Suspect 1
Male, Asian appearance, with Scottish accent, around 6ft tall, of medium build and clean shaven. He was wearing dark clothing and possibly wearing a hat.

Suspect 2
Male, described as either Asian or African appearance, with a Scottish accent, around 5’10, of medium build and possibly clean shaven. He was wearing dark clothing and possibly a hat.

Suspect 3
Male around 6ft tall, of medium build. He was wearing a dark coloured motor cycle helmet, dark coloured clothing and dark coloured gloves.

Detective Sergeant Oliver Healy, from Edinburgh CID, said: “It is thankful that the victims were not injured as a result of this incident, however they were left badly shaken.

“We are appealing for anyone who was in the Claremont Court, Claremont Street, Broughton Road or Logie Green Road areas on the evening of 28th September, and believes they may have seen the suspects in question to please come forward. We are also keen to speak with any motorists with potential dash cam footage from the area at that time.

“Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting incident 3657 of 28 September 2021. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, if you wish to remain anonymous.”

Nominations open for the Wall of Honour at new Meadowbank

The search has begun for names for the Wall of Honour at the new Meadowbank Sports Centre as nominations opened today (Thursday 30 September).

A space within the atrium in the new building has been reserved to honour members of the public who have made significant contributions to Meadowbank’s past and legacy as a sport venue and community facility.

Edinburgh’s new Meadowbank will be one of the country’s top community sports centres when it opens and will feature some of the most state-of-the-art fitness facilities in the United Kingdom. The Centre is on track to open to the public before the end of the year with the Wall of Honour being added in the New Year. 

Nominations must have a connection with Meadowbank and can be made in four categories:

  • Competitive Achievements – individuals who have medalled at a major senior championship within their sport. This includes Commonwealth, European, World or Olympic level events.
  • Community Service – individuals who have made significant contributions to sports, clubs and the Meadowbank community in a voluntary capacity.
  • Professional Service –individuals who were employed to work at Meadowbank Sports Centre for a significant period and contributed to the operation and development of the venue as a major training, sports, events, health and wellbeing, physical activity and community destination.
  • Special Contribution – individuals who do not meet elements of the above criteria but you feel are an outstanding individual who should be recognised on the Wall of Honour.

Communities, teams and individuals across Edinburgh have eight weeks to submit nominations for the Wall before the deadline of Friday 26 November. Final decisions will then be made by a selection panel.

Councillor Donald Wilson, Culture and Communities Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “As we prepare to open the brand new Meadowbank Sports Centre this is a wonderful way for the Capital’s citizens to pay a lasting tribute to the Meadowbank legacy and to outstanding individuals who have made a positive impact on sport in the city and gained national and international recognition for Edinburgh.

“Please help us celebrate the people of Edinburgh’s achievements by proposing a nominee now.

Councillor Amy McNeese-Mechan, Culture and Communities Vice Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “Meadowbank has been an important part of Scotland’s sporting history for many years and the new development will build on this legacy.

“The Wall of Honour is an excellent opportunity to highlight what has gone before and will be added to over the years as the new sports centre takes its place as an important venue for Edinburgh’s sporting future.

“We want to hear from the people of Edinburgh on who has inspired them over the years and deserves to be recognised and celebrated for years to come.”

Nominations can be made online through the Council’s Consultation Hub and must be received no later than Friday 26 November 2021.

Survey: Are the kids alright?

A 3 year old starting nursery in 2021 will have spent half their life under pandemic restrictions.

Public Health Scotland @P_H_S_Official would like to know what that means for families’ wellbeing.

A new survey aims to find out, extended to represent children aged 0-11:

https://surveys.publichealthscotland.scot/838276?lang=en