Edinburgh’s visitors and locals are being advised to take care of their personal possessions while out in the busy city centre over the coming weeks. As part of Operation Summer City – Edinburgh’s Festival policing campaign – officers are once again promoting the ‘Hold Onto Your Stuff’ initiative and providing the public with useful information on safeguarding their valuables. Continue reading City police advise: Hold onto your stuff!
Police officers executed three warrants across North Edinburgh during searches for stolen property yesterday.
Three males, aged 15, 18 and 19-year-old were arrested in connection with house-breakings which took place over the past week in Kirkliston, Pathhead, Penicuik and Musselburgh.
Property including jewellery and electrical goods was recovered at addresses in Clermiston Park, Colonsay View and Granton Mill March.
These latest arrests are a result of the renewed commitment by officers under Operation Soteria and the Stronger North 2017 initiative to gather intelligence and tackle housebreaking, vehicle theft and related disorder in the North West of Edinburgh.
Chief Inspector Jimmy Jones, North West Area Commander said: “Our communities have told us that anti-social behaviour and youth disorder is a priority and we have renewed our commitment to tackling it in North West Edinburgh.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the public for their assistance so far. Support from our communities is vital in tackling such offences and I can assure them we will act on the information we receive.
“Anyone with concerns can speak to a local officer, contact Police Scotland on 101 or report information anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Police Scotland will deploy an innovative and very effective policing tactic designed to deter, detect and disrupt criminal and terrorist activity in the lead up to and during the course of the Edinburgh International and Fringe Festival 2017. Continue reading Project Servator: Police gear up for Edinburgh Festival
Visitors to Edinburgh’s parks, woodlands and nature reserves are being urged to take care over the summer months to avoid the risk of fire.
Parks and Greenspace Officers from the City of Edinburgh Council have reminded the public of the speed at which sparks or small flames can escalate, causing severe damage to local greenery and wildlife.
People are encouraged to ‘leave no trace’ after spending time in any of the sites by clearing away rubbish, properly extinguishing barbecues and disposing of cigarettes safely.
Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Lesley Macinnes, said: “In Edinburgh we are lucky to have such a wealth of parks and greenspaces, many of which offer areas of particular natural beauty and biodiversity.
“Of course it’s fantastic that residents and visitors to the Capital can enjoy these beautiful spaces, but I would encourage the public to treat them with care, ensuring they remain as welcoming to wildlife and people as they have always been.”
Natural Heritage Officer, David Kyles, added: “Fires can be devastating in parks and other more rural and upland areas. The breeding season for birds, between March and July and sometimes seasonally later, is a particularly vulnerable time for nesting birds, especially those that nest on or close to the ground.
“Fires that devastate areas can pose knock-on problems whereby small mammal populations can be significantly harmed, posing localised food shortage, loss of shelter and other sources of food and the general loss of habitat. Please act responsibly when out in Edinburgh’s countryside sites.”
Potentially vulnerable parks include Corstorphine Hill Local Nature Reserve, Easter Craiglockhart Hill Local Nature Reserve and Colinton Dell – areas popular for picnics, barbecues and building campfires over the warmer months.
However, at this time of year many of the sites are home to ground-nesting birds such as skylarks, willow warblers, curlews, lapwings, grouse and more common birds such as wrens, dunnocks and blackbirds, which settle in heather, gorse and low-lying dry shrubbery susceptible to catching fire.
Kenneth Rogers, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) Local Senior Officer for Edinburgh, said: “Grass and wildfires are a common risk at this time of year when warmer weather dries out vegetation and grassland – which offers an ample fuel source. Just one heat source like a campfire ember can cause it to ignite and the if the wind changes direction even the smallest fire can spread uncontrollably and devastate entire hillsides.
“In the unfortunate instance that a fire is set deliberately, SFRS resources can be diverted from real emergencies. Through robust strategic planning we will always be able to respond to an emergency, however the fact remains that these fires can present a very real danger to our communities.”
Amongst precautions, the public are being urged to place disposable barbecues on bricks or sand to avoid overheating and consequently burning grass. Campfires are not permitted in woodland or shrubby areas and anyone building a fire is advised to choose a clear space away from trees and bushes, not to leave their fire unattended and to build a fire ring with stones. They must also ensure the fire is extinguished before leaving the site.
Edinburgh Leisure is supporting the Drowning Prevention Charity’s campaign, #BeaLifeguard to find the next generation of everyday heroes. Continue reading Be a Lifeguard
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service fought hundreds of needless fires across the country last summer, latest figures reveal. Firefighters worked throughout the hot summer months of 2016 battling blazes at homes, vehicles, grassland, refuse and derelict buildings. The majority of those fires were deliberate and reckless – putting pressure on firefighters when genuine emergencies arose and placing lives at risk. Continue reading Fire chief appeals for zero deliberate fires this summer
The safety of Scotland’s high rise tower blocks will be examined by a Holyrood Committee, following the tragedy at Grenfell Tower. The Scottish Parliament’s Local Government and Communities Committee will scrutinise accommodation in Scotland’s high rise communities, by expanding an on-going inquiry into housing and building regulations in Scotland. Continue reading Safety of Scotland’s high rise homes under scrutiny
Communities Secretary Angela Constance said on Friday: “This week, we asked local authorities to give us further information about their high rise domestic buildings. They have reported that they have over 500 high rise domestic buildings in their areas.
“All 32 local authorities have advised the Scottish Government that no council or housing association high rise domestic buildings have the type of cladding reported to have been used in the Grenfell tower – Aluminium Composite Material (ACM).
“24 Local Authorities have also reported to us that no privately owned high rise domestic buildings have ACM cladding. The remainder are completing their investigations as a matter of urgency.”
A further update will follow the Ministerial Working Group on Building and Fire Safety next week.
Sajid Javid MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government said yesterday:
Ever since the appalling tragedy at Grenfell Tower on Wednesday 14 June, the government has been working very closely with local authorities, housing associations, and the private sector to ensure the safety of high-rise buildings.
We provided advice to all social landlords on 22 June about interim safety measures that should be taken immediately where it has been determined that a building has Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) cladding that is unlikely to be compliant with the requirements of the current Building Regulations. This guidance was recommended by an independent panel of experts and includes advice on the 3 emerging findings from the Metropolitan Police investigation into Grenfell Tower.
A combustibility testing programme for ACM cladding is running around the clock at the Building Research Establishment (BRE). This is able to test 100 samples a day – and if needed, yet further laboratory capacity could be provided.
So far the cladding from 34 high-rise buildings, in 17 local authority areas, has failed the combustibility test. All landlords and fire and rescue services for those local authorities have been alerted to the results and we are in touch with all 17 areas to support and monitor follow-up action. The landlords for all the affected buildings are taking action to inform tenants and implement the interim safety measures needed. Areas affected include the city of Manchester, Camden, Plymouth, Hounslow, Portsmouth, Barnet and Brent.
The fact that all samples so far have failed the tests underlines the value of the testing programme we have set up with the Building Research Establishment to get samples checked properly in the laboratories.
It is therefore very important for local authorities and housing associations to continue to submit such samples as a matter of urgency.
In the meantime, local authorities are contacting fire and rescue services in their area to conduct fire safety inspections of these tower blocks to inform them on what remedial works might be required.
We expect that authorities and landlords are very sensibly giving the highest priority to buildings with which they have most concern. But we should not be in the position where buildings have such cladding on them. How this occurred – and preventing this from happening again – is likely to be a key question for the public inquiry.
We are now rapidly identifying buildings of concern: samples are being tested very quickly; fire inspectors are checking the safety of the buildings as a whole; and we have issued interim safety guidance to help action that is being taken by local authorities, landlords, and fire and rescue services to mitigate risk and start addressing any defects that have been found.
It is important to stress that cladding itself is not dangerous, but it is important that the right type is used. Also, a failure in testing of the cladding does not necessarily mean that a building will have to be evacuated; the decision by Camden Council to evacuate 4 of the 5 towers on the Chalcots Estate was because the failed testing of the external cladding was compounded by multiple other fire safety failures which the fire inspection team found within the buildings.
Obviously, those residents in Camden who had to be asked to leave their homes at such short notice have had a distressing experience; I have to express deep admiration for the calm and stoicism with which so many have handled this.
I understand that the tragedy at Grenfell Tower, and now the evacuation in Camden, will be particularly worrying for those living in high-rise towers. However, fire safety standards are in place in buildings across this country and landlords are obliged by law to meet them – in both private rented and social housing. Individuals are no more likely to experience a fire now than before, but everyone should remain vigilant to the risk.
It is the responsibility of the landlords and freeholders to advise their residents what to do in the event of a fire in the building, based on the findings of their risk assessment. We are making sure that authorities and landlords have all the latest advice and support available as quickly as possible.
See below for advice on information on multi-storey fire safety
Police Scotland has today launched a targeted week of action to promote counter-terrorism activity across the country. The Counter Terrorism Awareness Week forms part of the UK Counter Terrorism Policing Networks Initiative and is co-ordinated by the National CT Policing Headquarters. Continue reading Police launch Counter Terrorism Awareness Week
POLICE LAUNCH DRINK/DRUG DRIVING CAMPAIGN
Sadly, statistics show that this is the time of year when Scotland’s road users are at their highest risk of being killed or seriously injured because the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Sometimes “just one drink” can push you over the legal limit and in turn have devastating consequences.
The video (below) from THINK road safety is a reminder that you should not succumb to peer pressure in social situations. Every life is worth more than any extra drink.
Speaking about the launch of a campaign to tackle this issue, our national Head of Road Policing Chief Superintendent Andy Edmonston said: “As we head towards summer there are many additional social events for people to attend, such as barbecues with family and friends or larger organised events such as town shows or village galas. All are perfect opportunities to socialise in relaxed surroundings and many people will take the opportunity to have an alcoholic drink.
“Whatever the occasion, as responsible individuals, we all have a duty to consider the amount of alcohol we consume if we intend on driving. It is important to remember that the measures of alcoholic drinks consumed at social events can be significantly more than pub measures. Unfortunately, people can get caught up in the moment and unintentionally or otherwise over-indulge in alcohol.
“Drivers must consider that even if you make alternative arrangements to get home after an event, you could be over the limit the next day, depending upon the amount you have had to drink. The effects of alcohol do not wear off immediately and drivers must be aware of this if they intend driving the following morning. Make sure you do not get caught out.
“Over the next week our increased visibility and activity throughout the country aims to reassure the public that drink/drug driving is highly dangerous and publicly unacceptable. If you choose to drink and drive or drive whilst unfit due to the effects of drugs there is a high likelihood that you will be caught.
“Our message is simple – the best approach is none.”
Police Scotland is committed to achieving the Scottish Government’s 2020 casualty reduction targets by tackling the risks associated with drink/drug driving and the campaign supports the service’s efforts to reduce road casualties.
Anyone with information on drink/drug drivers can contact Police Scotland on 999 in an emergency. Alternatively call 101 or Crimestoppers in complete anonymity on 0800 555 111
