We are aware of recent concerns involving groups of young people in the Pennywell and West Granton area. Our investigations have now identified 14 young people linked to 52 offences.
They and their parents/carers have been spoken to and referrals are being made to Child Protection and Youth Justice partners.
Thank you to everyone in the community who has helped us.
We remain committed to tackling behaviour that affects your quality of life and to working with partners to support young people towards safer, more positive choices.
Two men have been jailed for attempted murder following a wilful fire-raising incident on 4 April, 2025, in Hay Drive.
Kurtis Young, 42, was sentenced to 11 years in prison at the High Court in Glasgow and 19-year-old Richard Ordish was sentenced to seven years in prison on Tuesday, 16 June, 2026.
Both men pled guilty to wilful fire-raising, causing danger to life and attempted murder, in connection with serious organised crime.
The investigation was part of enquiries into violent incidents in the East and West of Scotland under Operation Portaledge.
Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ferry said: “This was a reckless and dangerous act and Kurtis Young and Richard Ordish will now face the consequences of their actions.
“Today’s sentence sends a message that there is no place for this type of behaviour in our communities.”
Fourteen Firework Control Zones (FCZs) in total will be in place across Edinburgh this autumn as part of ongoing efforts to reduce the negative impacts of fireworks around Bonfire Night.
Following a successful introduction in 2024, Firework Control Zones will return to several areas of the city between 30 October and 8 November 2026 following a decision by Councillors at yesterday’s (Monday 8 June) meeting of the Culture and Communities Committee.
Councillors agreed to consult on Firework Control Zones in Corstorphine, Longstone, Sighthill/Broomhouse and The Murrays, alongside new zones in Liberton Grange, Lochend, Stenhouse/Gaskell Street, West Pilton, Wester Hailes, and Moredun.
FCZs prohibit the use of fireworks within designated areas for a limited period of time, forming part of a wider package of measures aimed at improving public safety and reducing anti-social behaviour.
Earlier this year, communities were invited to apply for Firework Control Zone status in their local area, with community groups highlighting concerns including the misuse of fireworks, anti-social behaviour, and the need to protect animals, older people, and other vulnerable residents.
The decision builds on the positive impact of previous years’ measures, with Edinburgh experiencing significantly lower levels of firework-related anti-social behaviour compared with earlier years.
Work between the Council and Police Scotland also led to a substantial reduction in the number of retailers selling fireworks within the city. In 2024, 33 traders sold fireworks in Edinburgh and by 2025, that number had fallen to just two.
Culture and Communities Convener Margaret Graham said: We know that fireworks can have a significant impact on vulnerable people and pets, which is why it’s important that we use every tool available to support safer celebrations.
“Firework Control Zones are an important part of our wider approach to keeping communities safe during Bonfire Night and reduce the disruption that fireworks can cause.
“Feedback from residents, community groups and partner organisations shows that the zones have been effective in helping to reduce anti-social behaviour and improve the experience of local communities during firework season.
“We will continue to work closely with Police Scotland and local communities to ensure Bonfire Night is as safe and enjoyable as possible for everyone.”
Nationwide is the first banking provider to roll out public access defibrillators and bleed control kits across all branches1 – as it becomes Britain’s biggest branch network
All 605 Nationwide branches to have a defibrillator and a bleed control kit installed by end of the year
Life-saving training for Nationwide colleagues and communities across the UK run by St John Ambulance
87% of people would feel safer with local life-saving equipment: 97% state importance of free, life-saving first aid sessions
Forms part of Nationwide’s commitment to High Street and follows promise to keep all branches open until at least 2030
Nationwide is installing life-saving defibrillators and bleed control kits across its 605 branches, while rolling out life-saving first aid sessions in Britain’s local communities.
In what is thought to be the UK’s largest-ever combined rollout, the initiative builds on Nationwide’s long-term commitment to communities.
Britain’s biggest building society, which now has more branches than any other banking provider after overtaking Lloyds Banking Group, has promised to keep all branches open until at least 2030. The rollout, which will see the kits installed from now until the end of the year, is being done in partnership with Visa, with St John Ambulance working alongside Nationwide to offer life-saving training for colleagues and local communities.
The importance of having life-saving equipment readily available locally for emergency services to deploy if needed – and the crucial role the public can play – is made clear by the facts: without first aid intervention, a severe bleed or cardiac arrest can lead to death within minutes.
Severe bleeding remains a leading cause of death after traumatic injury in the UK, with knife- or sharp instrument-related offences totalling around 53,000 in 2024/20252. And of the 40,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the country each year, fewer than one in 10 people are estimated to survive3.
Yet, if a patient is defibrillated within three to five minutes of collapse, survival rates increase by up to 70 per cent4.
A national poll of over 2,000 people conducted by Nationwide highlights the gap in emergency support within communities:
87% of people would feel safer knowing there is life-saving equipment available in their local area.
88% say life-saving equipment should be as common as fire extinguishers in public – just 27% know the location of their nearest defibrillator and 9% their nearest bleed kit.
89% of people specifically want more public access to bleed control kits due to the rise in knife crime.
56% would find it easier to remember equipment locations when associated with a well-known brand.
97% believe it’s important to have life-saving first aid training available for free in their local area, with over three quarters (77%) of people saying they would attend nearby free sessions.
Despite the need and support for life-saving equipment, there is a gap around public confidence in using resources. More than one in four (27%) wouldn’t feel confident stopping a severe bleed, while 31 per cent wouldn’t feel confident using a defibrillator. Despite the need for urgent intervention, 42 per cent wouldn’t step in for fear of making the situation worse. It is perhaps why over half (51%) don’t believe a stranger would come to their aid in a health emergency.
The lack of confidence is most prevalent among younger people – 18-24-year-olds are more than twice as likely than over-55s (10% vs 4%) to panic in a life-threatening health emergency.
To help build public confidence, Nationwide is working with St John Ambulance to roll out volunteer-led training in life-saving skills. This opportunity will be offered to 4,000 branch colleagues before expanding into ‘Heart of Community’ sessions, giving local people the knowledge and confidence to carry out CPR, use defibrillators and understand how to treat a severe bleed in an emergency.
Amanda Beech, Nationwide’s Director of Retail Services, said:“Nationwide’s unique reach as the UK’s largest branch network gives us the ability to put life-saving equipment where it matters most – in places people already know and trust in their communities.
“By transforming our branches into visible, emergency hubs, we’re making it easier to access help when every second counts.
“Crucially we’re also offering training to all our branch colleagues, before extending that training into the communities we serve. We want more people to feel prepared, confident and ready to act when it matters most.”
St John Ambulance Chief Medical Officer, Professor Andrew Hartle, said: “We’re so pleased to work with Nationwide and Visa on this project, which so perfectly meets St John Ambulance’s mission to put the power of first aid into everyone’s hands.
“With hundreds more public access defibrillators and bleed control kits across the UK, and thousands more people confident to use them, I am confident many more lives will be saved in our communities.”
The kits will be available 24/7 unless within a shopping centre and can be accessed by the public as directed by 999. For more information on where our branches are located visit Nationwide Branch Finder.
So far defibrillators and bleed control kits have been installed across nine Nationwide branches: Tooting, Peacehaven, Seaford, Eastbourne, East Ham, West Wickham, Maidstone, Northampton Kingsthorpe, and Redhill.
Neighbourhood crime “eroding community safety” as Crimestoppers urges public to speak up anonymously
Crimestoppers is launching a new campaign to highlight the growing impact of neighbourhood crime across the UK and empower people to share information anonymously to help protect communities.
From burglary and robbery to shoplifting and phone theft, neighbourhood crime is reshaping everyday life, affecting people’s sense of safety at home, their confidence on their streets and trust in local high streets and public spaces.
Latest figures show the scale of the issue with more than 509,000 shoplifting offences, 224,000 burglaries, and 129,000 thefts from the person recorded across the UK.
In addition, there were an estimated 590,000 incidents of retail violence and abuse, alongside 950,000 cases of verbal abuse in convenience stores*.
These are not just statistics, they represent real people experiencing fear, disruption, and lasting emotional impact.
Neighbourhood crime can have long-term consequences. Burglaries can damage a person’s sense of security in their own home. Robberies and phone theft can change how people travel, socialise and go about daily life. Retail crime continues to affect local businesses, workers and the overall confidence of many communities.
Despite this, many incidents go unreported. People may fear retaliation, not want direct involvement with police, or feel that speaking up will not make a difference. This silence can leave the door open for organised crime and criminal activity to continue, leaving communities feeling unsafe.
Crimestoppers is encouraging people to break this cycle by sharing what they know safely and anonymously.
Mick Duthie, Director of Operations from the charity Crimestoppers, said: “Neighbourhood crimes have the effect of eroding community safety which is why information we receive anonymously and pass on can help to keep us safe.
“We know that many people want to speak up but feel unable to. That’s why our charity exists. We provide a safe, trusted way for anyone to share information about crime completely anonymously.
“You don’t need proof, and you don’t need to give your name. Even a small piece of information can make a big difference in helping to protect others.”
Crimestoppers guarantees 100% anonymity. No information provided can be traced back to the individual to makes contact.
Fearless, the youth service of Crimestoppers, has launched its earliest ever summer campaign across Scotland to help young people stay safe from the very start of the holidays.
Supported by Network Rail Scotland, the campaign launches today, weeks before schools break up – so young people hear these messages before summer reaches its peak. It focuses on making positive choices, staying safe online, violence prevention, looking out for each other and knowing how to speak up 100% anonymously if they are worried about crime.
It also comes ahead of key moments in the summer calendar, including the end of exams and major events and festivals across Scotland, when more young people are out and about, travelling and spending time in new places with friends.
Throughout the summer, Fearless will be out in communities, transport hubs and at major events including Youth Beatz and TRNSMT, speaking directly with young people. The campaign offers practical, non-judgemental support wherever young people spend their time. It will also run across TikTok and Snapchat, with content shaped by young people themselves and grounded in the reality of their lives.
Through fearless.org, young people can share information about crime 100% anonymously. No names. No contact details. No way of tracing where potentially lifesaving information came from.
Lyndsay McDade, Fearless National Manager for Scotland, said:“As a mum to teenagers, I’m very aware that children only get 18 summers before adulthood. I want this to be a great one for young people right across Scotland.
“I want all young people to enjoy themselves, get home safely every day and feel supported to make good choices. That’s what summer should be.
“That’s why we’re launching our campaign earlier than ever, with more visibility and more time spent where young people are, giving them the information and conversations they need to navigate the holidays.
“If you work with or look after young people, please tell them about our charity. They can follow us on our new Scotland TikTok @Fearless_Scot and use our website fearless.org to get the information they need to keep them safe.
“We all need to be there for young people this summer. We need to be present. We need to recognise that they belong in our communities and show them that we believe in them.”
Innis Keith, Health, Safety and Environment Director at Network Rail Scotland, said:“Thousands of journeys are made safely every day on Scotland’s Railway.
“The real risk comes from poor decisions like trespassing, taking shortcuts, or trying to take photos or videos near the tracks. Moments like these can have life‑changing or fatal consequences.
“Through Fearless, we want young people to understand that their choices in those moments really matter.
“The campaign gives them the confidence to look out for themselves and their friends, to speak up when something feels wrong, and to make better decisions around the railway.
“When they feel informed and supported, it’s more likely they’ll make choices that get them home safely.”
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), in conjunction with the Scottish Wildfire Forum (SWF), is issuing wildfire warnings for areas of Scotland going into the May Bank Holiday weekend.
South West Scotland: from Wednesday, 29 April, there is a very high risk of wildfire.
Whole of Scotland:starting Thursday, 30 April, there is an extreme risk of wildfire. This warning will remain in place until Friday, 1 May.
Southern Scotland and Central Highlands: starting Saturday, 2 May, there will be a very high risk of wildfire.
SFRS’ Head of Prevention and SWF Chair, Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Kenny Barbour, said: “Going into the May bank holiday weekend, we will be seeing an extreme risk of wildfire across the whole of Scotland. We know people will be wanting to enjoy the good weather, but we ask they do so responsibly.
“People should avoid lighting outdoor fires and be mindful that one spark can spread causing a large amount of damage.
“Remember, there’s no such thing as a harmless fire. Wildfires have the potential to destroy property, landscapes and wildlife, which is why it is so important that members of the public use extreme caution under these conditions.
“Share wildfire warnings with your family, friends, and visitors. And if anyone spots a large outdoor fire, please report it immediately by calling 999, providing your location, and any other relevant information so we can respond quickly.”
With the extension to the Muirburn season also drawing to a close on Thursday 30 April, we advise landowners to exercise caution in line with the Muirburn Code.
COMMUNITY POLICE TEAM DROP-IN TODAY!
Monday 11th May, 2pm to 3pm
Granton Library, 29 Wardieburn Terrace
