Tag: antisocial behaviour

Operation Pillar tackling youth disorder near city tramlines

Police are working with local partners to tackle anti-social behaviour following an increase in incidents linked with youth gatherings at Sighthill Public Park and on the tramline between Hermiston Gait and Balgreen.

Community policing teams in Edinburgh Southwest have been working closely with Edinburgh Council, Edinburgh Trams and the Fire Service to put in place a strategy to combat anti-social behaviour and protect the local community.

As part of the strategy, called Operation Pillar, police have introduced high visibility patrols at peak times and increased CCTV coverage in key locations across the area to discourage anti-social behaviour and help with identifying those responsible where incidents do occur.

Officers will also be delivering educational inputs at local High Schools and implementing diversionary interventions with local young people.

Chief Inspector Mark Hamilton said: “We know that the increase in anti-social behaviour in the area has been a cause for concern to many in the community.

“For this reason we have been working closely with our local partners to put together a comprehensive strategy so we can tackle this issue head-on

“By establishing high visibility patrols and increasing CCTV coverage we expect to see a reduction in the number of incidents occurring and be able to catch those responsible where they do.

“Officers will be providing support to Council park rangers, tram staff and colleagues at the Fire Service so that any instances of anti-social behaviour can be dealt with effectively.

“Positive engagement with young people is also a key component of this strategy and by working with local schools we hope to prevent any incidents from happening in the first place.

“If anyone does however observe any anti-social behaviour or criminality, I would ask that people report through the 101 telephone number, or if it is an emergency to dial 999.

“Members of the public are also encouraged to speak with patrolling officers when they see them to highlight any issues or concerns.”

An Edinburgh Trams spokesperson said: “The safety and wellbeing of customers and employees is always our number one priority, and we work closely with the police and other partners to reduce incidents of anti-social behaviour that are sometimes reported on the network.

“These partnerships include regular joint patrols with the police, while extensive, high quality CCTV coverage on the tramway enables us to react quickly to any incidents. Footage captured by our cameras can also be shared with the police to help them to identify those responsible.

“Trams are one of the safest forms of public transport and these measures provide further reassurance for our customers and colleagues.”

Police statement: Antisocial use of vehicles at South Queensferry

Following complaints from residents and businesses in the Hawes Promenade area, local community officers and officers from Road Policing have been targeting the area to combat the antisocial use of vehicles and associated behaviour.

Sergeant Sandra Watt from the Community Policing Team at Corstorphine Police Station said: “Dealing with disorder and antisocial behaviour is a priority for us in Edinburgh. We’ve been made aware by the local community of antisocial behaviour issues in the Hawes Promenade area involving vehicles, and we’ve responded with a dedicated initiative.

“We are focussing on engagement, deterrence, disruption and where necessary enforcement by conducting both high visibility and plain clothe patrols in marked and unmarked vehicles. During the weekend of 29th and 30th January we engaged with over 50 drivers and issued an antisocial behaviour warning.

“On Friday 4th February 2022, our Road Policing colleagues implemented a road check at the Hawkes Pier car park. Twenty two cars were stopped, checked for defects and advice was given to drivers with regards to driving and parking in a considerate manner. One driver was charged with careless driving.

“Our Community Policing Teams will continue to work with our Road Policing colleagues and our partners at the City of Edinburgh Council to deal with the antisocial use of vehicles in the area”

Anyone with information regarding criminal or antisocial behaviour in their area can contact Police Scotland through 101, our website scotland.police.uk/contact-us or the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Arrests following antisocial behaviour in Drylaw and Telford

Operation PAX cracks down on local ASB

Following an increase in antisocial behaviour in the Ferry Road and Telford areas, Operation PAX was instigated – deploying dedicated teams of police officers at key times focussing on engagement, deterrence, disruption and where necessary enforcement.

As a result of recent investigations and working closely with partner agencies at #StrongerNorth an 18-year-old man has been charged with 22 offences and a 15-year-old boy charged with 25 offences relating to antisocial behaviour in the local area.

Police ask that parents and carers speak with their children and young people about the impact of antisocial behaviour to ensure our local community continues to be a safe place to live and work.

Support from members of the public is also vital in helping Police quickly identify those engaging in this behaviour they urge anyone who witnesses an incident to contact them immediately.

Anyone with information regarding antisocial behaviour in their area can contact Police Scotland through 101, the website scotland.police.uk/contact-us or the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Crackdown: Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Bill published

Reducing the negative impact of fireworks and pyrotechnics on communities across Scotland is at the heart of new legislation. The Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Bill proposes tougher action on the sale and use of fireworks and the misuse of pyrotechnics.

The Bill follows the report of an independent Firework Review Group which recommended tightening legislation to reduce the harm fireworks can cause.

An analysis of the public consultation, published in December 2021, showed strong support for key measures in the Bill amongst those who responded.

The Bill’s proposals include:

  • the introduction of a fireworks licensing system
  • a new power for local authorities to designate firework control zones, where it is not permitted for the public to use fireworks
  • restricting the days fireworks can be sold to and used by the general public
  • a new offence to criminalise the supply of fireworks and pyrotechnics to under-18s to ensure adults do not purchase such products on behalf of children
  • a new offence of being in possession of a pyrotechnic while at, or travelling to, certain places or events, without reasonable excuse

Community Safety Minister Ash Regan said: “This Bill will ensure appropriate action is taken over the sale and use of fireworks as well as reducing the misuse of pyrotechnic devices such as flares.

“We have undertaken a significant programme of engagement and evidence gathering which has demonstrated strong public support for tougher action.

“We have already moved quickly to introduce regulations restricting the times of day and the volume of fireworks that can be supplied to the public – as well as the times fireworks can be set off.

“This Bill demonstrates our absolute commitment to further improve safety for communities across Scotland.”

Police Scotland Chief Superintendent Linda Jones of Partnership, Prevention and Community Wellbeing said: “Pyrotechnics in the wrong hands can be lethal. They are inherently dangerous and their ongoing misuse is a matter of serious concern to Police Scotland. This is not only due to the risks faced by those who may discharge them, but to those around them.

“There is no safe way to operate pyrotechnics unless you are properly trained – leave it to the experts at organised events.”

Director of Service Delivery for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Assistant Chief Officer Stuart Stevens said: “It is clear the inappropriate use of fireworks and pyrotechnics such as flares can cause harm and serious injury as well as distress people, pets and the wider community.

“In some cases, fireworks have also been linked to anti-social behaviour which can put our crews and our partners at risk whilst drawing unnecessarily on our emergency service resources. We therefore welcome measures to help keep our communities, staff and partners safe.”

Clinical Research Fellow at the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Canniesburn Department of Plastic Surgery Eleanor Robertson said: “We are delighted this Bill is being introduced.

“Firework safety campaigns raise awareness of the hazards and provide risk-reduction strategies, but pediatrics and adult patients continue to present with severe hand and eye injuries. We believe the proposed legislation will substantially reduce both direct and indirect harm from fireworks.”

Head of Education, Policy and Research at the Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Gilly Mendes Ferreira said: “We realise people still want to enjoy fireworks and we always ask that they do it responsibly.

“Misuse of fireworks and pyrotechnic devices can have a negative effect on people and animals across the country and we will always support the introduction of any preventative measures that will help keep Scotland’s people and animals safe.”

Crackle and Moonbeam: Capital Police prepare for Bonfire Night

Police in Edinburgh have launched their annual campaign to keep the public safe and deter fireworks-related disorder over Bonfire Night.

Operation Crackle, which runs from today (Thursday 4th November), to Saturday 6th November, sees local officers deployed throughout the city to address the range of criminality that typically arise as a result of the antisocial use of fireworks during the bonfire period.

In advance community policing teams have been working alongside the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the City of Edinburgh Council and may other partners, to engage with young people through various channels and discuss the risks and consequences of using fireworks recklessly.

Officers have also carried out joint patrols with council Environmental Wardens and members of the fire service to carry out environmental audits and identify and safely remove any debris or materials that could be used to start bonfires.

In addition to Operation Crackle, Police Scotland has also launched its national public order response for Halloween and Bonfire Night, Operation Moonbeam.

As part of this campaign, a range of specialist and national resources will be available to Edinburgh’s officers if they are required.

The city’s dispersal zones will once again be in operation as an additional tactic to tackle and deter antisocial behaviour and disorder.

The zones will run between 4th and 6th November from 2pm to midnight each day.

Like the past four years, the zones include Muirhouse, West Pilton, Portobello, Loganlea, Saughton, Gorgie, Gilmerton, Moredun and Southhouse and 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.

Chief Inspector Murray Tait from Edinburgh Division said: “Last year saw unprecedented restrictions placed on the public, in terms of gatherings within their homes and gardens, as well as all public bonfire and fireworks displays being cancelled and we are yet to see the return of such events.

“If you are planning to purchase and use fireworks over the coming days and weeks then please do so responsibly and within reasonable times of the day, so as not to disturb and distress vulnerable members of our community.

“We have been working alongside our various partners in advance to mitigate against fireworks-related disorder but nevertheless, we still anticipate a very busy period for ourselves and the other emergency services.

“We are committed to keeping not only the public, but our officers and emergency service colleagues safe, and we are grateful that Operation Crackle officers will once again be supported by the specialist resources as part of Operation Moonbeam.  

“I would ask that parents and guardians have frank conversations with the young people in their care and remind them that behaving recklessly with fireworks can not only put lives at risk, but will result in arrest and a criminal record.”

Neighbourhood Watch: How Do We Tackle Antisocial Behaviour?

FREE COMMUNITY SEMINAR

Book your FREE place on @N_Watch webinar now

http://ourwatch.org.uk/webinars @ Mon 15th Nov 5-6pm to find out about the impact antisocial behaviour has on communities & how together we can tackle this growing problem

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Operation Moonbeam: Police Scotland working to keep communities safe during fireworks season

Local and national resources from Police Scotland will again come together to keep communities across the country safe during the weekends of Hallowe’en and Bonfire Night.

Local area commanders the length and breadth of the country, in collaboration with Divisional Commanders, have designed policing plans for scheduled events and to take into account sporadic incidents.

These plans will be enhanced with national resources, including tactically-located specially trained public officers, if required, who will deploy in support of colleagues where required.

A policing operation under the name Moonbeam has been stood up since 2018 in response to significant public disorder and anti-social behaviour in 2017, which included targeted attacks on the blue light services responding to emergency calls on what is typically one of the busiest periods of the year.

It has been activated as both a reassurance for communities, our officers and their colleagues, and as a deterrent to those who may set out to cause disorder and engage in criminality.

Since the operation was first instigated there have been decreases in the levels of disorder witnessed around these events, including in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic substantially curtailed the number of organised fireworks displays which were held.

The Executive Lead for Operation Moonbeam, Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs, said: “Both Hallowe’en and Bonfire Night fall on weekends this year, which also land during our policing operation for the COP26 climate change conference taking place in Glasgow.

“While this will undoubtedly be a time of exceptional demand on the police, and all of our emergency services colleagues, I can assure the public and our partners that we are fully committed to responding to any disorder which may occur as a result of these annual events.

“Owing to the ongoing impact of COVID-19 , there are far fewer organised events taking place this year, but be assured plans are in place to manage any problematic unauthorised events which may occur.

“I encourage those who are parents to young people to speak clearly and seriously to them about the potential for personal injury when handling fireworks, as well as the devastating damage they can cause to property. In addition, anti-social behaviour and violence can have life-long consequences, including a criminal record, regardless of their age.

“We absolutely will not tolerate our officers, or our colleagues in the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service and the Scottish Ambulance Service, being lured into situations where they face being subjected to violent attacks.

“We will do all we can to prevent these incidents occurring in the first place, but should they happen, we will respond in whatever means necessary to keep our people and our communities safe.”

Another weekend, another deliberate fire in Drylaw

There’s been another deliberate fire in North Edinburgh – for the third successive weekend.

This time, a garden shed in Easter Drylaw Drive was set ablaze in the early hours of this morning. Police, fire and ambulance services were on the scene from 1.30am and the road was temporarily closed while the fire was tackled.

It’s the third weekend in a row that there have been wilful fireraising incidents in the North Edinburgh community – and all have taken place in the early hours of the morning.

Last week’s meeting of Drylaw Telford Community Council discussed the arson incidents that took place on 18 September and the group issued an appeal on their Facebook page:

‘These fires were devastating to those affected and we are extremely lucky that more people were not injured. The “what if’s” do not bear thinking about.

‘The unusually dry weather for September that we have had recently would make any fire spread faster therefore It is so important that the perpetrators are caught and for this not to happen again.

‘The police have been talking to residents that have CCTV but we would urge anyone with CCTV, ring doorbell camera’s etc who have not yet been contacted to please contact:

  1. The Police on 101 quoting incident number 0765 of the 18th
    September 2021.
  2. Anonomously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
  3. Message this page and we can forward information

‘Likewise, if anyone has any information at all, then please make contact using the above methods.’

Investigations are ongoing.

Operation Drift: Policing Porty

Portobello Patrols – Operation Drift

Police officers will be continuing with increased patrols at Portobello Beach and other open spaces over the coming days to deter and deal with violence, antisocial behaviour and disorder.

There will be a zero tolerance approach and enforcement action will be taken if anyone is identified as being involved in any criminal behaviour.

One of our priorities in Edinburgh is dealing with disorder and antisocial behaviour and we are committed to making Portobello a safe place for visitors, local businesses and residents.

If you have any concerns about criminality, or you’re aware of anyone planning to travel to Portobello to cause issues, please speak to officers, call 101, or call 999 in an emergency.

Alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or report online

http://ow.ly/zYD550FG4H1#OpDrift

Police update: Six arrests following disorder in Portobello

Chief Inspector Murray Tait, Local Area Commander for North East Edinburgh, said: “Our officers responded to a number of incidents involving youths in the Portobello area over the course of the weekend, including violence and antisocial behaviour.

“As a result of these reports, extensive enquiries have been undertaken and we can confirm that 6 arrests have been made to date. Further enquiries remain ongoing.

“It was unfortunate to see a small minority ruin the good weather for the rest of the community with their actions which have no place in Portobello. I want to make it absolutely clear that those who attend with the intention of causing violence and disorder are not welcome.

“Portobello Beach is a fantastic area, with great local businesses and is enjoyed by many families and young children who come to visit the area.

“I would like to reassure the public that there will be a significant police presence in the area, so we can robustly deal with anyone causing issues in the coming days. If you have any concerns about criminality, please speak to officers, call 101, or call 999 in an emergency.”