Clean sweep for Forthview in Firework poster competition Continue reading Primary kids paint firework warning
Tag: community safety
A bright future? LED street lamps light the way ahead
LED street lighting roll-out ‘to save Edinburgh £ millions’ Continue reading A bright future? LED street lamps light the way ahead
Remember, remember: make safety paramount at firework time
NHS 24 is reminding people to take care and understand how to treat minor burns ahead of this year’s Bonfire Night celebrations on 5 November.
Continue reading Remember, remember: make safety paramount at firework time
Antisocial behaviour? Talk safety safely in Drylaw
Warm welcome at Drylaw meeting to discuss cold callers
Drylaw Telford CC to discuss No Cold Callers zones
Drylaw Telford Community Council meeting will be held on Wednesday 28 October at 7pm in Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre.
Among items to be discussed is the possible setting up of a No Cold Caller Zone in Drylaw Telford. Do you think that would be a good idea? Come along and share your views – all welcome!
Agenda and Minutes of the previous meeting can be found below:
DTCC Minutes September 2015 (Draft)
Elderly woman fends off knife-wielding robber in Silverknowes
87 year old sees off attacker with her mobility stick
Police are appealing for witnesses after a man wielding a knife attempted to rob an 87-year-old woman on a Silverknowes footpath yesterday afternoon. The incident happened between 4.30 – 4.45pm as the woman was making her way home.
As the woman walked on the public footpath linking Silverknowes Hill with Silverknowes Road a man approached her from behind. He said something, which the woman was unable to understand – but she turned to find he was wielding a knife.
The assailant demanded the woman’s purse but she refused – and then bravely warded off the would-be robber by waving her mobility stick at him. The man left empty-handed aand made off in the direction of Silverknowes Hill before being lost from sight.
The woman made her way home and raised the alarm with the police, who are now appealing for witnesses to the incident.
The suspect is described as white, around 6ft tall, with a thin face. He was wearing a dark hooded top with the hood up.
Detective Inspector John Kavanagh of Police Scotland said: “I am very keen to hear from anyone who has any information which might help with our ongoing investigation.
“Thankfully, the woman was unhurt but it goes without saying that we take a zero tolerance approach towards such despicable crimes.
“The incident was carried out during daylight hours and I would hope that someone may have seen the suspect in the area and can provide us with important information. Likewise, I would ask anyone who was using public transport in Silverknowes around the time of this crime to come forward if they remember seeing the man.
“We are keen to ensure that he is arrested as quickly as possible and those with relevant information can call police on 101 or, alternatively information can be passed anonymously through the registered charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Cameron: ‘a national coalition to challenge and speak out against extremism”
Prime Minister hosts first meeting of new Community Engagement Forum today
The Prime Minister will today host the first meeting of the new Community Engagement Forum to discuss countering extremism. He will announce that for the first time, police forces in England and Wales will be asked to record anti-Muslim hate crimes as a specific category in the recorded crime statistics, bringing them in line with reporting of anti-Semitic attacks.
In 2013-14 police recorded crime statistics showed religious hate crimes increased by 45% and race hate crime by 4%. New statistics being published by the Home Office this morning are expected to show further rises. Creating a separate category will enable police, prosecutors, local authorities and the communities they serve to have a better understanding of the prevalence of anti-Muslim hate crime and allocate resources accordingly. It will provide the first accurate picture of the extent of anti-Muslim hate crime in England and Wales.
The Prime Minister will also say that new funding will be made available for the security of all faith establishments, including mosques.
This issue will be covered at today’s meeting in Downing Street, which the Prime Minister announced he would convene in his speech in Birmingham earlier this year. The Forum will principally discuss the themes and objectives of the forthcoming counter-extremism strategy including mobilising a national coalition to challenge and speak out against extremism in all its forms. It will also consider what more government can do across the board to help support young British Muslims to reach their full potential.
Prime Minister David Cameron said:
As I said last week, I want this government to be as bold in delivering social reform as we have been in economic – and a big social problem we need to tackle to rebuild Britain as an even greater country is extremism.
We all have a role to play in confronting extremism. That’s why I have invited important Muslim and non-Muslim figures to join the new Community Engagement Forum so I can hear directly about their work in our communities, the challenges they face and so that they can be part of our one nation strategy to defeat it.
I want to build a national coalition to challenge and speak out against extremists and the poison they peddle. I want British Muslims to know we will back them to stand against those who spread hate and to counter the narrative which says Muslims do not feel British. And I want police to take more action against those who persecute others simply because of their religion.
Home Secretary Theresa May said:
Hate crime has no place in Britain and I am determined to make further progress to ensure we can eradicate this deplorable act.
Working with police to provide a breakdown in religious-based hate crime data will help forces to build community trust, target their resources and enable the public to hold them to account.
Our counter-extremism strategy will be published later this month and will introduce a wide range of measures to defeat all forms of extremism. These will empower communities to confront extremist ideologies, and build more cohesive communities where everyone feels able to succeed.
The Forum will initially include around 30 multi-faith representatives from across the country and is an opportunity for the Prime Minister to hear directly from those taking a leading role challenging extremism in our communities. They will also be consulted on how best to improve the security of faith institutions and their recommendations will be considered as part of the wider work of the Prime Minister’s Extremism Taskforce.
Be Dog Smart!
Be Safe Around Dogs: free dog safety workshops
Hello,
My name is Rachel and I’m the Education and Community Officer for Dogs Trust in Edinburgh. My role is to provide FREE workshops that teach children, young people and families about responsibility and safety around dogs.
I am currently offering community groups fun and interactive workshops from our ‘Be Dog Smart’ safety initiative and I would like to take this opportunity to tell you more.
With nearly 9 million dogs in the UK, it is vital that all children and indeed adults too are educated and informed about interacting safely with them. Be Dog Smart workshops educates children on how to behave around dogs, how to meet a dog correctly and what to do if scared of dogs.
For more information please visit http://learnwithdogstrust.org.uk/free-learning-resources/Community-Education/be-dog-smart/index.html.
Workshops last approx. 45mins and suitable for age 5+ and for parents/guardians.
There is no cost and you may book as many as you like!
If you would like to arrange for me to visit your group, or simply require more information, please email me at rachel.bliss@dogstrust.org.uk or call 0792 065 8660.
Fire safety message taken to Edinburgh Mela
Thousands see fire safety displays at city music and dance festival
City firefighters joined revellers at the Edinburgh Mela over the weekend to raise awareness of the support available to help the public prevent fires and the tragedies they cause.
Thousands of people enjoyed live music at Leith Links on Saturday and Sunday, making the annual festival an ideal opportunity for Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) crews to share potentially life-saving information.
Watch Manager Steve Scott said: “Our community action teams and crews from Marionville and McDonald Road Fire stations had two great days of engagement with the public.
“We had more than 1,200 people visit the SFRS Mobile Museum and they loved getting dressed-up in fire kit and getting selfies. It’s popular with young and old alike but of course the main drive is making our communities safer.
“All these visitors saw displays that make you very aware of common hazards within the home as well as the steps you can take to prevent them causing a potentially devastating fire.”
The SFRS crews offered free home fire safety visits, which involve local firefighters helping householders identify hazards and taking simple steps to address them.
With early warning known to be vital if a fire does happen, the SFRS crews also check smoke alarms are working and even provide and install the devices if they are found to be needed.
Free home fire safety visits are available from SFRS 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.
Watch Manager Scott added: “We would much rather take 20 minutes to help someone stay safe than attend a fire that could have been prevented.
“Fire in the home is devastating. Even where no-one is seriously hurt, the loss of cherished possessions, the financial impact and the emotional trauma can all be horrific for those involved.
“We want to hear from anyone who thinks they or someone they know could benefit from some friendly, expert advice and support from their local crews.”
Pictures: Edinburgh Mela
#StrongerNorth starts spreading the news!
#StrongerNorth produces first newsletter
The #StrongerNorth team has produced their first of what could become a regular community newsletter.
#StrongerNorth came into being last autumn following a series of incidents in West Pilton which culminated in the attempted murder of a Chinese takeaway shop owner.
Since then, a range of partners have been working together to bring new energy to tackling anti-social behaviour and encouraging safe communities in West Pilton and Muirhouse.
Keeping local residents informed about what’s being done to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour is important, and the #StrongerNorth team’s first newsletter is an attempt to improve communications with the community. If feedback is positive, the newsletter could become a regular feature.
See below for a copy of the #StrongerNorth newsletter: