Work has begun on the next stage of a major project to improve Leith Walk. Phase Four of the Leith Programme, between Pilrig Street and McDonald Road is now under way in September and will last around ten months. Contractors Land Engineering Ltd are now on site, with construction expected to end in summer 2017. Continue reading Latest phase of Leith Walk programme is underway
Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, has challenged politicians from all parties at Holyrood to get behind the Scottish Government in delivering “the best for Scotland”. Continue reading Ben Macpherson: ‘Get behind us’
Special zones which help ‘stamp out doorstep crime’ have been hailed a success as the city passes the 100 mark of ‘No Cold Calling Zones’ (NCCZ).
Following a successful Trading Standards campaign during the summer, supported by Police Scotland, all City of Edinburgh Council Sheltered Housing complexes have been designated NCCZ’s and a number of other zones have also been established.
A No Cold Calling Zone is an area in which a majority of residents have stated that they do not want traders to call at their homes without being invited. These areas help local residents to have the confidence to say “NO” to uninvited salespeople and to warn rogue traders and cold-callers that they are not welcome.
Community Safety Leader Councillor Cammy Day visited one of the most recently set up zones in Barnton. He said: “I’m delighted at the response from our residents working with the Trading Standards team to protect vulnerable neighbours by forming No Cold Calling Zones. The feedback from existing zones indicated that 92% of residents have noticed a drop in cold callers, and a satisfaction rate of 100%.
“Cold callers can often be a precursor to doorstep crime incidents, and the formation of these zones encourages neighbours to be aware and gives them the confidence to challenge traders calling within a zone. Traders identified as calling within a zone will be dealt with robustly by our Trading Standards team.”
Street signs have been installed in the area and residents can be provided with stickers to display on their front doors. A stencil was sprayed on the pavement of the street to make callers aware that the area is a ‘No Cold Calling Zone’ and that the residents will not deal with them.
Inspector David Happs, Police Scotland Prevention, Intervention and Partnership Department said: “The creation of these ‘No Cold Calling Zones’ right across Edinburgh illustrates the willingness of local communities to work in partnership with Police Scotland, Trading Standards and others to stamp out doorstep crime. It is a crime that can affect anyone and we want to equip our community in how to keep cold callers out of their homes and protect themselves against doorstep crime. Those responsible, like bogus callers and rogue traders, are often extremely convincing in how they approach and interact with potential victims. ‘No Cold Calling Zones’ really sends out a strong message that these criminals are not welcome in Edinburgh.
“Police Scotland is committed to continuing to work with our partners to tackle this unscrupulous crime and urge you to report it. Please report any suspicious activity to Police on 101, or your local Trading Standards Department. If the person refuses to leave your door, or you feel threatened or scared – call 999 and ask for the Police.”
If you would like to find out more about setting up a No Cold Calling Zone on your street, ContactEdinburgh’s Trading Standards team on 0131 529 3030 or email trading.standards@edinburgh.
This Scottish Animal Week, the Scottish SPCA has released research which reveals 31 per cent of Scots are calling the wrong animal helpline. A recent study has shown that although 69% of people would call Scotland’s animal welfare charity if they discovered an injured or distressed animal, 25% of people would contact the RSPCA and 6% would contact other organisations. Continue reading The Name Game: one in three Scots phone the wrong animal helpline
A coalition of independent and third sector children and young people’s service providers has called for urgent action from the Scottish Government to increase investment in and radically improve mental health services for children and young people. Continue reading Call for action as half of Scotland’s Health Boards miss child mental health targets
Join in the Great British Beach Clean Family event
Monday 19 September (school holiday) 10.15am-2pm
If you’d like to get some fresh air with the kids on the the Monday autumn holiday, come along with us to take part in the Great British Beach Clean at Granton!
This is a family event helping clean and monitor litter levels at the beach. We’ll have a picnic snack and beach games as well as collecting and logging litter levels at the beach (with some help from Matt at the Marine Conservation Society).
Meet at NEA at 10.15 to get the bus to Granton Harbour, returning to NEA by 2pm.
Children under 8 must be accompanied, and we would love it if you could sign up at NEA so we know who’s coming:
And for more info on the Great British Beach Clean go to
http://www.mcsuk.org/beachwatch/greatbritishbeachclean
Valla
Dear All,
Bright Choices training Wednesday 28th September 10-12 at Pilton Community Health Project
Honour abuse or Honour-Based Violence (HBV) is any kind of abusive or violent behaviour against an individual by a member of their family or their community, when the individual is perceived to have ‘transgressed’ the family’s and/or the community’s acceptable codes of behaviour. This training from Bright Choices aims to increase the capacity of professionals in responding to cases and issues of honour based violence within their particular field. Participants will explore the issues of recognising the risks of HBV and how to effectively respond to these. Please see attached leaflets for more information. If you would like to attend the free training please contact Hannah on 0131 5511671 or by emailing hannahkitchen@pchp.org.uk
Next Forum: Understanding Hate Crime Thursday 13th October 10-12
The next forum will include a session on understanding hate crime from PC Prince Durant. There will be an opportunity to sign up for more in depth training if your organisation wants to become a Third Party Reporting Centre. Venue to be confirmed.
Hate Crime Survey
As part of a project with the other RECs in Scotland ELREC are launching a survey addressed to people who have been victims of hate crime about the kind of support they have received and what additional support they could have benefitted from. This is the link to the survey https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/whymesurvey
Kind regards
Hannah
BrightChoices general leaflet-email
BC-HBV awareness training brief
Hannah Kitchen
Development Worker, Living in Harmony,
Pilton Community Health Project
73 Boswall Parkway, Edinburgh, EH5 2PW
0131 551 1671
Like us on Facebook for regular updates www.facebook.com/PiltonCommunityHealthProject
North and Leith MP Deirdre Brock has been appointed to sit on Westminster’s Scottish Affairs Committee. Continue reading Brock joins Scottish Affairs committee
FIREFIGHTERS have issued a Chimney Fire Safety Week message urging householders to help prevent potentially devastating fires. Continue reading Swept away: advice for Chimney Fire Safety Week
Green councillors have slammed Edinburgh’s Local Development Plan, saying that it fails the city on affordable housing, traffic problems and loss of greenbelt land. Continue reading Greens slam Local Plan ‘sham’
