Police are urging organisers of a beach party to get in touch:
UNLICENSED GATHERING -PORTOBELLO
Local officers in Portobello are aware of social media messages which suggest a beach party will take place on Portobello Beach on Wednesday evening (8 July).
Events such as these require a public entertainment licence and involve lots of planning and consultation to make sure all of those in attendance are kept safe.
So far, our colleagues at the City of Edinburgh Council have received no application for a Portobello Beach Party.
We are committed to keeping our communities safe and local policing teams will monitor the area on Wednesday to engage with members of the public and address any issues which may arise.
If anyone is planning a party on Portobello Beach, we would ask that they contact us and the City of Edinburgh Council so we can discuss all the relevant safety matter and ensure appropriate resources are utilised.
With less than a week to go until T in the Park kicks off, NHS 24 is urging festival goers to look after their health and make the most of the event.
Scotland’s national telehealth and telecare service is advising visitors to the three-day event at Strathallan Castle in Perthshire to plan ahead and take a few essential items for dealing with illness.
NHS 24 Medical Director Professor George Crooks said: “Summer festivals are great places to meet people and enjoy music with friends but try and remember to pack a few small items with you in case you do become unwell.
“Take some over the counter medication with you for stomach upsets or diarrhoea and take a simple painkiller such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. It is also really important to have sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher and antiseptic hand gel or wipes are always handy to have at outdoor events, as are things like a supply of pads or tampons and if there is possibility of having sex take some condoms to avoid the risk of sexually transmitted infection.”
He added; “Plan ahead remember to take all your prescription medicine with you to last till you get home, if you use inhalers always keep them handy and think of things like hay fever medication if you are a sufferer.
“Don’t ruin your weekend by drinking far too much too quickly. Try alternating soft drinks or water for alcoholic ones on a regular basis over the day and don’t forget to eat regularly. You don’t want to miss out on seeing your favourite bands by feeling unwell with the effects of too much alcohol.
Professor Crooks advised: “If you do become ill, go with a friend to the nearest First Aid area. Remember there is safety in numbers. Never leave your drink unattended, never leave friends on their own and don’t wander off by yourself. Organise a meeting point if you get split up and stay with people you know.
“By taking simple steps, you can help minimise or even prevent minor health problems from ruining your weekend. Stay safe and have a happy and healthy time at T in the Park.”
For further summer health advice go to www.nhsinform.co.uk There is a Health in Focus section dedicated to staying safe in the summer months.
majority of incidents involve bins and/or disposable barbecues
Firefighters in the City of Edinburgh have reminded people to safely dispose of barbecues to help prevent needless fires.
The Meadows is a particularly popular spot for Edinburgh picnickers, and last year the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) attended 57 fires in and around the Meadows between May and August. The majority of these incidents involved bins and/or disposable barbecues.
One of the main causes of the fires was the careless disposal of BBQ’s into bins, some of which already contained combustible materials.
This type of incident ties up valuable SFRS resources as well as causing inconvenience for park staff and users.
Station Manager Jonathon Miller said: “Following the guidance provided will prevent resources from one of Scotland’s busiest stations being tied up at minor, easily prevented small fires on the Meadows.
“This can also delay our attendance at more serious, possibly life threatening, incidents and divert firefighters away from important community safety and training activities.
“We will be conducting routine joint visits with City of Edinburgh Council Park Rangers during the summer to offer advice on BBQ safety as well as offering free home fire safety visits to park users.”
The following simple tips should be followed to ensure a safe and enjoyable BBQ and lead to a reduction in fires:
Make sure your barbecue site is flat and away from fences, trees and sheds.
All BBQ’s should be raised from grass areas to avoid burning or scolding
Keep a bucket of water or large bottle of water nearby, in case of emergencies.
Use only enough charcoal to cover the base of the barbecue to a depth of about five centimetres (two inches).
Never use petrol or paraffin to start, or revive your barbecue – use only barbecue firelighters or starter fuel on cold coals.
Keep children and pets away from the cooking area.
Do not leave the barbecue unattended.
After cooking, make sure the barbecue is cool before trying to move it.
Hot ashes can melt a plastic wheelie bin and can cause a fire.
Avoid alcohol if you are in charge of a barbeque.
Use one of the two designated BBQ bins on the Meadows (Middle Meadows Walk/Bruntsfield links)
Police have arrested and charged a 25-year-old local man following a number of thefts and housebreakings in north Edinburgh. The arrest follows the arrest of two others in connection with drugs offences in West Pilton earlier this week.
On Wednesday, officers executed a search warrant at a property on Ferry Road Drive following intelligence received from the public. Various stolen items were recovered and officers are currently conducting enquiries to reunite the stolen goods with their rightful owners.
The man was subsequently arrested and charged for housebreakings to business premises on Queensferry Road, Cheyne Street and Raeburn Place as well as an attempted break-in on Dean Street.
He was also charged in connection with the recovery of an abandoned Mercedes C-Class, which had previously been stolen alongside another vehicle from an address on Prospect Bank Road, and used in several business housebreakings in the Capital.
Superintendent Alan Porte said: “This arrest should reinforce that we will we act on any intelligence we receive and will pursue all possible lines of enquiry to bring perpetrators of housebreaking and vehicle crime to justice.
“The public can be assured that any information given to us will be treated with the utmost confidence, and used to keep our communities safe for everyone.”
The latest breakthrough follows the arrest of two men who were arrested under the Misuse of Drugs Act earlier this week, following the discovery of a significant quantity of Class B drugs in West Pilton.
Drugs Team officers executed search warrants at flats in West Pilton Drive and West Pilton Loan, where they found cannabis with a potential street value of approximately £90,000.
A total of 128 mature cannabis plants were found at a home on West Pilton Drive along with a further 15 vacuum sealed bags each containing 1oz of herbal cannabis and six 250g bags of herbal cannabis worth a potential street value of approximately £55,000. A 30-year-old has been reported to the Procurator Fiscal in connection with this incident and will appear in court at a later date.
Police Scotland officers also recovered 51 mature cannabis plants and 32 seedlings at an address on West Pilton Loan with a potential street value of approximately £35,000. A 20-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday and a report has been sent to the Procurator Fiscal.
Detective Inspector Stuart Harkness from the Gayfield CID Proactive Unit said “These searches removed a significant amount of illegal drugs from our streets and highlights that Police Scotland continues to tackle those involved in organised crime within the city.
“We will continue with a robust approach to tackle crime in the communities we police and I would appeal for the public to provide us with the information we need to disrupt those involved in criminality. This information may be provided to your community officers, through contacting police on 101 or alternatively in anonymity by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Anyone with information can contact Police Scotland on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
As we move into summer and the school holidays, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is appealing to the public to join Scotland’s fight and do what they can to prevent fire.
During the summer months SFRS traditionally see an increase in the amount of deliberate fires across Scotland compared to the rest of the year. These fires present a danger to life, property and can have a detrimental financial impact on the Scottish economy.
SFRS will work together with partner agencies such as Police Scotland, Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Crimestoppers Scotland to prevent fires and support Police Scotland in highlighting the need to report fire offending.
Station Manager Graham Arnott, Glenrothes, said: “We want the public to have an enjoyable break over the summer holidays – and also a safe one. Over the next few months we’ll typically see an increase in the amount of deliberate fires.
“SFRS is appealing in particular to young people as they go on school holidays to consider the consequences of deliberately setting a fire. We would urge parents to ensure that their children know about and understand the potentially tragic consequences deliberate fires can have, as well as the impact for responding emergency services. Fire setting is an offense – don’t accept it, report it.
“We ask local residents and businesses to ensure that rubbish does not accumulate outside their property and that wheelie bins are stored in a safe and secure area until collection. Bin and rubbish fires can quickly take hold and spread to buildings and vehicles, posing a major risk to life and property.
“As we enter the time of year where we typically see warmer weather we would also expect to see an increase in the amount of woodland, grass and forest fires. Our crews work hard to provide education and advice about the risks and also respond when fires do break out. The public can help them to keep people safe by heeding our safety advice and sharing it with others. We’ll be working hand in hand with rural communities, businesses and landowners to establish ‘Fire Plans’ that will focus on reducing the risk of fire and provide advice on what to do if an emergency does occur.
“There is lots of information available online now at www.firescotland.gov.uk and residents wanting further advice in relation to keeping their home safe from fire can contact us for a FREE Home safety visit on 0800 0731 999, or text ‘FIRE’ to 80800.”
A new online directory, Edinburgh Trusted Trader, has been launched to help residents choose contractors with confidence.
Thirty-six traders and businesses have already signed up to Trusted Trader, creating a new ‘go-to list’ for people looking for services such as home repairs. After being checked by the Council’s Trading Standards team to ensure that they are compatible with the principles of the scheme, contractors are then accepted as members and their details added to the website. Customers can use the directory to find local contractors’ details with the reassurance that they are reliable and have been fully vetted.
Community Safety Leader, Councillor Cammy Day, was joined at the launch by representatives from Trusted Directory Services, who will manage the scheme along with Trading Standards, Police Scotland and trade members to mark the new site going live.
Cllr Day said: “Edinburgh Trusted Trader is an excellent resource for people who need work carried out on their home or communal area but want to make sure they are hiring reputable, reliable contractors. It’s not only good news for residents but also the businesses and traders listed who can promote themselves as members of the scheme and receive expert advice from our Trading Standards team.
“I am confident that this scheme will help build on consumer confidence in trades across the city and look forward to seeing more businesses and individuals signing up to be a Trusted Trader.”
Edinburgh Trusted Trader could reach more than 225,000 households and all members will be able to use the scheme’s logo on materials and vehicles. Residents who use the services can rate them afterwards and leave comments on the site for other users to read. The scheme also includes a dispute resolution process should there be any disagreements between customers and member businesses.
Similar directories have been successfully introduced in Dundee, West Lothian, East Lothian and Fife.
Edinburgh’s scheme was created after a public consultation found that many home owners are hesitant about organising shared repairs in common areas as that they don’t know how to find a trustworthy trader.
Any businesses or individuals interested in being listed with Edinburgh Trusted Trader can sign up online.
Fire crews in unprecedented move to reach those at highest risk
Firefighters throughout Scotland will be deployed to protect vulnerable people in a nationwide ‘week of action’ aimed at preventing accidental house fires and the tragedies they cause.
The unprecedented move follows a recent appeal from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) for the public to help it reach those most likely to be killed or injured as a result of fire in the home.
Between January and May, 28 people lost their lives as a result of fires and June has so far seen two more fatalities.
People over the age of 60 accounted for almost two-thirds of those killed and, as well as age, the common factors contributing to many of the deaths were smoking, ill-health, living alone and limited mobility.
With evidence many fire tragedies could be prevented SFRS is taking the major step of sending operational crews and community firefighters to households throughout the country to offer residents advice on keeping their homes and everyone in them safe.
Ahead of the ‘Week of Action’ to protect people from fire, the service is again issuing a plea for families, friends and neighbours to take responsibility for keeping those close to them safe.
SFRS Chief Officer Alasdair Hay said: “We are totally committed to protecting the public and this significant step shows the importance we place on preventing fires from happening.
“The nationwide approach to this week of action means our personnel will be visible throughout Scotland and pro-actively contact as many people as we possibly can.
“We rely on responsible citizens and partner agency colleagues to put us in touch with individuals who may be at increased risk of experiencing a fire in their home and those strong partnerships are absolutely vital to preventing tragedies.
“As the country’s firefighters work to protect every community I would urge everyone to join Scotland’s fight against fire by ensuring anyone who might need some help gets that potentially life-saving support.”
Statistics show those aged 65 and over are more than twice as likely to die in a fire as people of other ages.
The speed with which a fire can develop and spread toxic smoke, heat and flames means those who are old, who live alone and who have issues with their health or mobility are at particular risk of being injured or killed.
Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs, Paul Wheelhouse, said: “The work of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to raise awareness of the risks of fire is very valuable and means that we are safer from the risk of fire at home than we have ever been.
“However it’s crucial not to become complacent and the recent spate of tragic fire fatalities has shown some people, particularly the elderly, immobile and those who live alone, are still at risk.
“That’s why it is so positive to see the fire service working with partners, including health authorities and the voluntary sector, to develop new ways to identify those individuals in communities who are most at risk, and to make early interventions to ensure they are protected.”
The ‘Week of Action’ will involve local senior officers calling on the support of partner agencies to reach those who they know to be at risk.
By visiting homes firefighters can help residents understand the risks and take very minor actions known to dramatically reduce the chance of a fire starting.
Assistant Chief Officer Lewis Ramsay, the SFRS director of prevention and protection, explained why their efforts also mean occupiers are less likely to be hurt or killed if a fire does happen in their home.
He said: “We often see smoke alarms in the wrong position and firefighters conducting a home fire safety visit will correct this to make sure people are protected.
“If someone is over the age of 60, lives alone or has difficulty moving around then it can take more time for them to escape in an emergency.
“They need to know not to smoke in bed, or even while feeling tired and sitting in a chair. If the person just can’t avoid doing this then we can work with partners and communities to help make them safer.
“There is a huge amount of support available but we need our partner agencies and the public to help us make sure it gets to those who need it.”
He continued: “We also want to remind people that if they hear a smoke alarm activating then they need to call 999 and report it right away.
“Many people can be reluctant to make an emergency call and assume an alarm has gone off due to something innocuous like burnt toast, but the fact is waiting to see if the alarm stops could cost someone their life.”
With an aging population – 23 per cent of the UK will be aged 65 and over by 2035 – helping older people prevent fires and stay safe is certain to remain an issue for every community.
Free home fire safety visits take around 20 minutes to complete and are conducted by local SFRS crews at a time convenient for the householder.
A popular feature of the Join Scotland’s Fight against Fire campaign, they are available by calling the freephone number 0800 073 1999, by texting ‘FIRE’ to 80800 or by filling in an online form at www.firescotland.gov.uk.
Chair of the SFRS Board Pat Watters added: “Our staff throughout Scotland work around the clock to keep people safe and there is nothing more upsetting than seeing lives needlessly lost and ruined.
“Every single one of us has a responsibility to play our part. Fire isn’t something that only happens to other people or only concerns emergency responders.
“The messages from firefighters are very clear and everyone in Scotland can play a life-saving role by thinking about fire safety and doing what they can to help protect their community.
“There isn’t a city, town or village in the country that can afford to ignore the warnings and I would urge everyone to understand the risks and join Scotland’s fight against fire.”
An 80-year-old man has been assaulted and robbed in his home in Leith. The attacker forced his way into the pensioner’s home in Buchanan Street at about 9:20 on Saturday morning.
Police Scotland said the attacker then assaulted his victim before stealing a sum of cash and making off.
The robber is described as a white male in his 30s, about 5ft 6in tall with a medium build and short brown hair.
Police have appealed for witnesses. Detective Inspector John Kavanagh said: “This was a distressing incident for the victim. We are eager to trace this suspect as a matter of urgency.
“Anyone who saw a male matching the suspect description in the Buchanan Street area yesterday, or has any other relevant information, is asked to contact police immediately.”
Between the 8 and 14 June Fire and Rescue Services across the UK are coming together to raise awareness of the dangers to young drivers of driving whilst distracted.
Driving can be dangerous – it requires our full attention at all times. Distracted drivers significantly increase their risk of causing an accident. A survey of 1,000 young people in the UK found that 62% had read a text whilst driving and 44% had sent one.
The campaign focuses on young drivers and passengers because although becoming distracted whilst driving is a significant risk for all drivers, when combined with the inexperience of a newly-qualified driver, it becomes an even more hazardous.
Chief Officer Lewis Ramsay, Director of Prevention and Protection, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “Our crews are often called to the scene of road traffic collisions to release trapped people inside. Sadly, we far too often arrive to the scene of a tragedy. In fact, road collisions are the biggest cause of death for young people aged between 15 and 19. This is why fire and rescue services are keen to raise awareness of the dangers to this group and help save lives.”
Activities that might draw our attention away from the road may include using a mobile phone, texting, and eating. Using in-vehicle technologies such as navigation systems can also be a source of distraction.
The campaign will also highlight how passengers can be a source of distraction and have an important role to play in helping the driver to be able to concentrate on driving safely.
For more information on staying safe on the roads, visit the
PC Helen Lyon will be at Muirhouse Community Shop tomorrow (Tuesday) from 11am -12 noon taking your concerns and queries. If you have the chance please feel free to pop in and speak to her tomorrow. #StrongerNorth
