Tag: community safety

Universal kerbside battery collections needed to tackle epidemic of waste fires

  • Incorrectly discarded batteries and electrical devices cause more than 1,200 waste fires every year in the UK – with the number of fires growing by more than 70% year on year.
  • Total annual cost of battery-related waste fires now in excess of £1bn – threatening vital infrastructure and placing additional burden on taxpayers
  • Every UK household on average incorrectly discards nearly 6kg of electrical items each year and more than 3,000 batteries are chucked out every minute
  • New independent research recommends that rolling out council kerbside collections for small electrical devices and batteries across the UK could solve the problem and save more than £6billion associated with battery fires over the coming decade
  • A coalition representing the waste management sector and local authorities have written to Defra minister, Mary Creagh, calling for urgent policy reform to implement universal kerbside collection of batteries and waste electricals, and to ensure producers of these products pay their fair share for this vital new service

Implementing universal kerbside collections for waste batteries and electricals across the UK could save £6bn over the next decade by increasing recycling and avoiding the costs associated with waste fires.

This was the key finding of independent research conducted by expert consultancy Eunomia for the Environmental Services Association (ESA), published today (30th April 2025), which investigated the costs and benefits of various options for collecting small waste electrical devices and batteries at the kerbside.  

Only a quarter (100 of 391) of local authorities currently offer kerbside collection for small mixed waste electric and electronic equipment, which includes devices like old mobile phones, electric toothbrushes, vapes, power tools and toys – but these voluntary services only cover around 23% of households in the UK, and collection methods vary significantly between participating councils.

Because of this lack of convenient and consistent recycling options, waste electrical items, which often contain powerful batteries, are commonly (but incorrectly) discarded in the general rubbish or mixed with other recycling – where they can explode or ignite and pose a significant fire risk.

It is estimated that every household, on average, incorrectly discards nearly 6kg of waste electricals each year – or 155,000 tonnes in total.

Furthermore, Material Focus reports that 1.6 billion batteries were thrown away in 2023/24 in the UK, or 3,000 every minute – with just over a billion of these hidden in electrical devices.

This has contributed to what recycling and waste operators are calling an ‘epidemic’ of battery fires. In 2023, more than 1,200 serious battery-related fires in waste facilities or vehicles were reported and the problem is rapidly growing year on year – with a 70% increase in fires between 2022 and 2023 alone.

The total annual cost of the impacts of battery-related waste fires in the UK is now estimated at more than £1billion. These costs have sky-rocketed from previous estimates, owing to increased frequency of incidents and higher associated costs of the impacts (such as repairs, insurance premiums and public service impacts etc). 

The risks posed by battery fires include not just the obvious risks to peoples’ safety but also damage and downtime to essential infrastructure; the loss of valuable recyclable materials, and pollution to water-courses and the wider environment.

In its report, Eunomia recommends that the best way to address this growing epidemic of battery fires is to implement universal kerbside collections of batteries and small waste electrical devices as part of normal council recycling collections – making correct recycling more convenient for all householders, not just those living in councils where collections already happen.

The report suggests that the best cost/benefit balance would be achieved by retrofitting existing refuse collection vehicles (RCVs) with external cages, where possible, to safely store batteries and small waste electricals – collecting them on existing recycling rounds. This would be supported by both national and local communications campaigns, which would be enabled and made more cost-effective by a consistent approach across the country.

If such a scheme were rolled out today, Eunomia estimates that the number of waste fires would drop correspondingly (with anticipated increased compliance levels) from over 700 a year to just over 100, and that the capital expenditure needed to implement the new service would equate to around just 70 pence per household. 

Responsibility for this service would continue to fall to local authorities, but the relatively modest additional operational expense could be supported by producers of batteries and electrical devices under a reformed Extended Producer Responsibility regime – which UK Government consulted on in early 2024.

Chairman of the Environmental Services Association, and Chief Executive Officer of Biffa, Michael Topham, said: “The UK is facing a growing epidemic of battery-related waste fires which threatens lives, vital infrastructure and the environment.

“Whether discarded on their own or hidden inside electronic devices, batteries wreak havoc when they are thrown in the wrong bin, but this sadly happens all too often because of a lack of convenient recycling options for householders.

“Eunomia’s report provides clear evidence of the huge benefits of implementing a nation-wide kerbside WEEE and battery recycling scheme – not just for preventing fires and protecting infrastructure but also realising a £6billion economic benefit while supporting a more circular economy for batteries and waste electricals.

“We urge government to commit to rolling out mandatory universal kerbside recycling services for waste electricals and batteries, and to ensure all parties pay their fair share towards delivering them.” 

Leyla Lugal, Principal Consultant at Eunomia, adds: “Lithium battery fires are hurting people, the economy, and the environment.

“With the number of electrical products on the market set to rise, this problem will get worse without intervention. The only way to implement change effectively and cost-efficiently is through collective action, ensuring strong communications campaigns and widespread national engagement.

“Some local authorities are already undertaking safer battery collections. This research highlights the wide-ranging benefits of such measures, but to drive real progress, we need policy reform as a catalyst for broader industry and consumer change.”

Jon Hastings, Chair of the National Association of Waste Disposal Officers (NAWDO), said: “Fires in waste collection vehicles and treatment facilities pose a risk to staff working in this critical industry, and are causing operational disruption and higher costs for local authorities. 

“It is essential that producers are made responsible for the costs of providing more convenient collection services for batteries and small electrical items to help tackle this growing and dangerous issue, and as such NAWDO joins with the ESA in urging the Government to bring forward the proposed reforms to WEEE regulations as a matter of urgency.”

Councillor Richard Wilkins, Lead Member for Transport and Waste at Somerset Council, said: “Collection of batteries from the kerbside is positive for both our residents and the environment.

“Batteries are becoming more prominent in the things we use everyday. Introducing the collection of batteries and small electricals was a simple way to make sure the right thing was done with them.

“We know Somerset residents are keen to recycle, our recycling rates are in the top 10% in England and more than 100 tonnes of small batteries and electricals were collected from the kerbside last year.”

James Kelly, CEO of the British Metals Recycling Association, said: “The increase in the number of fires across the waste industry is deeply concerning. Be they caused by waste electricals and electronic equipment or orphan lithium-ion batteries, urgent action clearly needs to be taken.

“The best way to tackle this is by introducing a kerbside collection scheme, which would make it easier and simpler for the householder to recycle these items.

“However, this would need to be supported by a national communications campaign to educate householders about the dangers of the incorrect disposal of WEEE and orphan batteries.”

Toni McNamara, Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee (LARAC) Executive Director, said: “While there is no consensus on local authority-operated collections from LARAC membership, we strongly support producer-funded battery and small WEEE collection schemes, and any initiatives focused on reducing the risk of battery fires.”

Eight more arrests as police take action following spate of incidents

Detectives investigating a number of linked incidents in the East and West have arrested and charged eight people in the past week as officers take action across Scotland.

This brings the total number of arrests in connection with this investigation to 20.

On the evening of Wednesday, 23 April, 2025, a 16-year-old male youth and a 20-year-old man were arrested and charged in connection with five incidents of attempted murder and one of culpable and reckless fire-raising.

This follows a series of fire-raisings that have taken place across Glasgow in recent weeks. Both are due to appear in Glasgow Sheriff Court on Friday, 25 April.

On Thursday, 24 April, 2025, officers executed warrants at two properties in South Queensferry. Firearms were seized from both addresses. Two men, aged 36 and 38, have been arrested and charged in connection with firearms offences. Both men are due to appear in Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Friday, 25 April.

These are in addition to four other arrests across the country in recent days.

Shortly after 2.35am on Saturday, 19 April, 2025, a vehicle failed to stop for officers in the Robroyston area of Glasgow following disruption activity. The car then left the scene before being abandoned on an offroad track near to Chryston a short time later.

Two men, aged 23 and 24, were arrested and charged in connection with conspiracy and a number of road traffic offences, all related to serious and organised crime. Both appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Tuesday, 22 April.

On Wednesday, 23 April, 2025, a 38-year-old man was arrested and charged in Edinburgh in connection with reset of a stolen vehicle, theft of fuel, road traffic offences, culpable and reckless behaviour and being in possession of weapons.

He was due to appear in Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday – Thursday, 24 April.

A 16-year-old male was also arrested and charged with reset of a stolen vehicle and culpable and reckless behaviour.  He was due to appear in Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday (Thursday, 24 April).

A dedicated team from our Specialist Crime Division is working alongside divisional officers to gather hundreds of pieces of evidence and build solid cases against those responsible for these targeted attacks.

Meanwhile, local officers have been carrying out intelligence-led patrols to disrupt the activities of criminals and build reassurance in our communities.

Detective Chief Superintendent David Ferry said: “The arrests over the past week highlight the ongoing work that officers have been doing to target those responsible for these attacks.

“While we believe these incidents are linked to rival groups who are targeting each other, I want to make it clear this violence will not be tolerated.

“As well as carrying out these days of action and disruption activities, there is a lot of work going on behind the scenes, including exploring forensic opportunities and analysis of digital devices.

“While this may not be as visible, please be assured we are working tirelessly to build cases and are following a number of significant lines of enquiry.

“We have had a good response to our appeals and I want to thank the public for their help and information so far.

“The support of our communities is absolutely vital when it comes to tackling serious organised crime, preventing violence and getting justice for victims. Your information really can make a difference.

“If you know anything about who is responsible for these dangerous and abhorrent acts, please do the right thing and speak to us.”

Anyone who can assist our enquiries is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101 quoting incident number 0562 of Friday, 21 March, 2025.

Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.

Major investigation into criminal incidents in Edinburgh continues

POSSIBLE LINK TO THIRD INCIDENT NOW BEING INVESTIGATED

The major investigation into the discharge of firearms and associated criminal incidents in Edinburgh is continuing. 

A team of detectives, along with specialist and divisional officers, are working on this inquiry. Significant CCTV footage has also been collected which is being scrutinised and officers continue to gather additional information via door-to-door enquiries.

On Saturday afternoon, officers conducted road and vehicle checks in the Ferry Road, Niddrie and Pennywell areas. These road checks will continue as part of the ongoing investigation.

A report of a suspicious fire in Hay Drive today – Sunday, 23 March – is now also being investigated.  

Superintendent Paul Gillespie said: “We understand this will be concerning for local communities, but I want to reassure everyone that we are pursuing those involved and are using every tool and tactic at our disposal.

“We are taking strong action to disrupt this criminal activity and a lot of work, which may not always be visible, is ongoing. Additional officers are currently deployed to specifically target criminals and disrupt their activities.

“Extensive enquiries are ongoing into a number of incidents in Edinburgh. From our investigations so far, we believe these are linked to groups who are actively targeting each other. 

“The local division and senior management are being provided with support from our national Specialist Crime Division and Operational Support Division.

“We are carrying out additional high-visibility patrols and I would encourage anyone with any concerns to approach these officers.

“We understand the significant impact this has had on the local community and I would like to thank everyone for their help so far.

“Finding those who carried out these reckless acts is paramount. If you know anything that could help, please do the right thing and speak to police.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101 quoting incident number 0562 of Friday, 21 March, 2025. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.

Should your community be a firework control zone? Have your say!

The city council would like to hear from communities by 31 March about neighbourhoods they would like to be considered for firework control zones this November.

These zones can help reduce noise, stress and littering caused by fireworks.

Email us for an application pack at fireworkscontrolzone@edinburgh.gov.uk

www.edinburgh.gov.uk/firework-control-zones

Countdown to Capital’s Hogmanay

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay returns from 29 December 2024 into New Year’s Day, welcoming the world to party into 2025 at the ‘Home of Hogmanay!’

Launching the Edinburgh Hogmanay festival and signalling the start of global New Year celebrations, the Torchlight Procession will take place on 29th December from 18:30 hours from the Meadows.

If you have plans to attend any of the Hogmanay events please make sure to plan ahead , being mindful of weather forecast and travel arrangements.

For all the latest updates and FAQ’s regarding Edinburgh’s Hogmanay please visit:

Hogmanay | https://orlo.uk/EBQPM

We hope everyone who joins the celebrations from near and far has a wonderful time!

POLICE SCOTLAND

Starmer pledges joint action to keep women and girls safe at night

  • Police chiefs, industry executives and transport bosses called to Downing Street to crack down on spiking and protect women and girls
  • Spiking will become a new criminal offence in England and Wales
  • Commitment to halve violence against women and girls is central to the government’s mission to make our streets safe

Police chiefs, industry executives and transport bosses must work together to keep women and girls safe, the Prime Minster will urge when he convenes leaders in Downing Street later today.

Reiterating his personal commitment to halve violence against women and girls, the Prime Minister will also confirm that his government will make spiking a new criminal offence. This will send a clear signal that this is a crime, and perpetrators should feel the full force of the law, empowering victims to report offences and giving them confidence the justice system will support them.

Speaking to leaders later today, the Prime Minister will set out how the new offence is just one of part of the solution. He will demand coordinated action across the police, transport network and venues to stamp out this cowardly act and take back our streets.

This will include training thousands of staff working in the nighttime economy on how to spot and tackle spiking. Piloted from December, the training will help equip staff with the skills they need to prevent incidents, support victims and help police collect evidence. This will be rolled out to up to 10,000 bar staff across the country by spring next year.

At today’s meeting, which comes just weeks before Christmas and when violence against women and girls is known to rise, the Prime Minister will hear from police forces and industry leaders about the tactics already being used to keep women safe and urge other forces and venues to follow their lead.

  • Chief Constable Jason Hogg, Thames Valley Police, will set out how his force has deployed plain clothed officers into areas around bars and clubs to spot predatory sexual behaviour. This tactic is now being used by over 20 forces across England and Wales.
  • Chief Constable Lucy D’Orsi, British Transport Police will set out work being undertaken to keep women safe using public transport. This includes relaunching the text-to-report number, 61016, that is now free across all major networks, allowing women to discretely contact British Transport Police for help if they are or someone else is being harassed on the train. In one case, a victim texted 61016 to alert the police, officers met the train, and the offender was arrested just half an hour later.
  • Kate Nicholls, CEO of UKHospitality and Chair of Institute of Licensing, will discuss supporting the Home Office in its plans to roll out nationwide training to make sure all door and bar staff know how to prevent spiking and have the skills needed to act if they suspect someone has been spiked.
  • Chief Constable Maggie Blyth, the NPCC lead for VAWG, will talk about the ongoing scale and threat of violence against women and girls, its prevalence in the night-time economy and what policing needs to tackle offenders and reduce the number of victims enduring abuse.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “My government was elected on a pledge to take back our streets, and we will never achieve this if women and girls do not feel safe at night. 

“Today, I will bring together police chiefs, heads of industry and transport bosses to demand coordinated action to stop women being targeted, whether they are out with friends or simply travelling home. 

“Cracking down on spiking is central to that mission. 

“We know it can be incredibly difficult for victims to come forward to report this awful crime, and these cases can be very hard to prosecute. We must do more to bring the vile perpetrators who carry out this cowardly act, usually against young women and often to commit a sexual offence, to justice.

“That is why I made a promise that, if elected, I would make spiking a new criminal offence. Today, I am proud to have come good on that pledge.”

Action against spiking is just one of the measures being taken to meet the government’s unprecedented manifesto commitment to halve violence against women and girls in the next decade, a fundamental part of the mission to make our streets safe.

Within the first few months of being in office, the government has already announced plans to launch new Domestic Abuse Protection Orders to give greater protection to victims, and that domestic abuse specialists will be embedded in 999 control rooms. More announcements are expected in the coming weeks.

Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper said: “Spiking is a disturbing and serious crime which can have a damaging and long-lasting impact on victims.

“That’s why today we are taking decisive action to prevent this devastating crime and to crack down on perpetrators, by introducing a new criminal offence for spiking and launching specialist training for thousands of bar staff nationwide.

“People shouldn’t have to worry about the safety of their drinks on a night out. These changes are about giving victims greater confidence to come forward, and ensuring that there is a robust response from the police whenever this appalling crimes take place.”

Kate Nicholls, Chief Executive of UKHospitality, said: “Our pubs, bars, clubs and restaurants are where Brits go to enjoy themselves and our priority is to ensure everyone can do that safely.

“I’m pleased that we’re able to support the Home Office in its plans to roll out a nationwide training programme as part of these efforts, to help ensure all staff know how to prevent spiking and have the skills to act if they suspect someone has been spiked.

“This is all part of hospitality’s unwavering commitment to keeping customers safe and ensuring our teams have the knowledge and skills they need.”

Minister for Victims and Violence Against Women and Girls, Alex Davies-Jones, said: “Christmas should be a time for celebration and community but all too often perpetrators of vile crimes like spiking take advantage of festivities to target women and girls.

“As a society we cannot accept that, and this government is taking firm action to keep them safe – from creating a new criminal offence of spiking to working hand-in-hand with police and business to crack down on this behaviour. 

“These are just some of the steps that will allow us to achieve our aim of halving violence against women and girls.”

Assistant Chief Constable Samantha Millar, National Police Chiefs’ Council Violence Against Women and Girls Strategic Programme Director, said: “Spiking can have a significant, traumatic impact on victims and feelings of safety in the night-time economy, particularly for women and girls.

“Spiking is a complex offence to investigate as drugs can pass through the system quickly and there is often a lack of evidential opportunities, which is why quick reporting and early evidence gathering, including forensic testing, is key.

“Police forces across the country have been working proactively to stop spiking from happening in the night-time economy and improve feelings of safety for women and girls. This includes regular, targeted patrols of busy town centres and visiting organisations, such as universities, to raise awareness of the symptoms of spiking. 

“Forces also work closely with bars, pubs and clubs to tackle spiking, and during the first national spiking police week of action in March, forces collectively visited over 1900 licensed venues to ensure that staff understood how to support victims. 

“I hope that the policing response to protect women and girls in the night-time economy shows how committed we are to making our streets safer. I would encourage anyone who is a victim of spiking to report it to the police, you will be listened to, and you will be taken seriously.”

New powers to clamp down on anti-social behaviour in England

New Respect Orders will see repeat perpetrators of anti-social behaviour subject to tough restrictions

Hooligans who wreak havoc on local communities will face tough restrictions under new powers announced by the Home Secretary today.  

Meeting a manifesto pledge to crack down on anti-social behaviour, the new Respect Orders will give the police and local councils powers to ban persistent offenders from town centres or from drinking in public spots such as high streets and local parks, where they have caused misery to local people. These will be piloted prior to national rollout to make sure they are as effective as possible.

Perpetrators can also be required to address the root cause of their behaviour by being mandated to undertake positive rehabilitation, such as attending drug or alcohol treatment services, or an anger management course to address the underlying causes of their behaviour. 

Failure to comply with Respect Orders will be a criminal offence. Police will have the ability to immediately arrest anybody who is breaching their Respect Order.

Police will also be given stronger powers to seize vehicles involved in anti-social behaviour will also be strengthened, with officers no longer required to issue a warning before seizing the vehicles which bring misery to local communities. 

This will allow police to deal more swiftly with the scourge of off-road bikes in public parks and dangerous e-scooters on pavements, street racing and cruising. It will also assist the police in tackling car meets, which can see hundreds of cars gather in public spaces that often include loud aggressive engine revving and intimidating music. 

Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper said: “Too many town centres and neighbourhoods across our country are being plagued by anti-social behaviour, be it street drinking, harassment or vandalism on the high street or noisy and intimidating off-road bikes terrorising our estates.

“Antisocial behaviour chips away at communities’ sense of confidence and pride, undermines local businesses and can have a devastating impact on victims.  

“This cannot be allowed to continue. Respect Orders will give police and councils the powers they need to crack down on repeated anti-social behaviour, keeping our communities safe and ensuring repeat offenders face the consequences of their actions. We will also make it easier to seize the vehicles causing misery in too many neighbourhoods, including deafening off-road bikes or e-scooters ridden dangerously on the pavement. 

“These new powers alongside thousands more neighbourhood officers and PCSOs will help this government deliver on our mission to take back our streets.”

As well as prison sentences of up to two years, criminal courts will also be able to issue unlimited fines and community orders, such as unpaid work, and curfews as punishment for breaching a Respect Order. This will ensure that the most serious offenders are dealt with before their behaviour can escalate and cause further harm.

The new powers will be introduced as part of the forthcoming Crime and Policing Bill, partially replacing existing Civil Injunction powers for adults, to ensure a wider range of penalties as breaches will be dealt with in the criminal courts, alongside the new power of arrest. Existing legislation will be amended to allow the police to seize nuisance off-road bikes – and other vehicles which are used in an anti-social manner – without having to first give a warning to the offender.

Enhanced powers will complement the government’s commitment to restoring neighbourhood policing in England and Wales. The Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee will bring back police patrols to town centres, recruit thousands of additional officers to neighbourhood roles and ensure every community has a named local officer to turn to.

Deputy Chief Constable Andy Prophet, National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Anti-Social Behaviour, said: “I welcome the introduction of Respect Orders and stronger powers to seize vehicles being driven in an anti-social manner.

“Respect Orders will give the police and councils the ability crack down on those who persistently make our streets and public spaces feel unsafe. I am pleased to see the ability to ban offenders from our high street and parks, with a power of arrest for those who ignore such direction, as well as the power to require individuals to seek help for underlying causes of their poor behaviour such as drug or alcohol misuse.

“Similarly, giving officers the option to immediately seize vehicles from those who use their vehicle in an anti-social manner is welcome addition to the powers available to officers to crack down on ASB and make our street safer.”

Harvinder Saimbhi, ASB Help CEO said: “As the national charity that supports victims of ASB, we regularly hear from victims who share with us the impact and harm they experience from repeated incidents of ASB.

“We welcome the approach of addressing the root causes of the anti-social behaviour which will in turn work towards reducing reoffending rates, therefore bringing respite to victims and communities. We are keen to see how the respect orders will be implemented.”

Students learn about carbon monoxide safety through unique interactive rewards scheme

Gas distribution network SGN has been encouraging students to learn about the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) through an innovative augmented reality campaign in a university coffee shop.

Students moving into rented accommodation, attending festivals and having BBQs are at an increased risk of CO poisoning. Lack of awareness of the risks of the colourless and odourless gas and how to prevent CO harm are major contributing factors to the number of CO-related deaths and injuries.

We’ve partnered with technical consultancy Egnida to create the campaign with a unique incentive scheme, creatively designed to engage and educate this hard-to-reach demographic.

Bespoke drinks coasters with QR codes have been placed in the main coffee shop at the University of Edinburgh campus.

After scanning the QR code with their smartphone, the student is taken to our campaign webpage to take part in a three-minute training course. The course uses augmented reality animations to explain the dangers of CO, how to spot the symptoms of CO poisoning and what students can do to keep safe.

Students use their phone’s camera to scan a symbol printed on to the coaster, which transforms into a series of 3D models that appear as if they are on the table in front of them.

As a reward for completing the course, students receive a discount voucher to put towards a drink in the coffee shop where the coaster is located.

We’ve purposefully chosen this small, instant incentive to engage students with our campaign, rather than an opportunity to win a larger incentive, to engage time-poor students with our campaign at the point they see our coasters.

Dan Edwards, Social Impact Programme Lead at SGN, said: “We’re always looking for new and innovative ways to teach people about the dangers of CO.

“By making use of exciting technologies such as augmented reality, we’re hoping to break through to students and reach up to 5,000 young adults in Edinburgh to engage and educate them with potentially lifesaving information.”

The campaign is also available at the University of Birmingham, Sunderland University and Cardiff University campuses, run by gas distribution networks Cadent, Northern Gas Networks and Wales & West Utilities respectively.