community safety – Page 38 – The NEN

Countdown to lower drink-drive limit

Campaign launched to highlight proposed change on 5 December

A high-profile public information campaign to ensure Scotland is ready for a new lower drink drive limit has been launched at the start of Road Safety Week. The Scottish Parliament votes today on an order which will bring the reduced limit into effect on 5 December.

This would lower the blood alcohol limit from 80mg in every 100ml of blood to 50mg in every 100ml of blood.

The campaign includes:

TV, video-on-demand and radio adverts across Scotland, including ITV Borders which covers areas south of the border. The campaign message is ‘the best advice is none’ when it comes to drinking and driving
Digital and social media campaign backed by www.dontriskit.info website
Scotland-wide awareness raising events in high footfall public venues such as supermarkets
Working with key transport hubs such as Edinburgh airport and car hire companies (Enterprise)
Awareness raising through Visit Scotland, tourist organisations and driving tourism agencies
Highlighting the new lower limit via electronic road signs across Scotland, particularly on key border roads between England and Scotland
Partner work with service stations, including all Tesco and all Shell-owned garages, this includes key border areas in Dumfries, Abington, Jedburgh and Berwick- upon- Tweed
Issuing information through alcohol retailers, national pub companies and groups such as Scottish Retail Consortium, Scottish Grocer Federation and DrinkAware
Partnering with key motoring organisations including the Institute of Advanced Motoring, AA, RoSPA and Brake

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: “With the approval of Parliament, the new drink drive limit will come into force on December 5, making our roads safer and saving lives. We are doing everything we can to make sure everyone is informed about the new lower level.

“A persistent minority of people are still getting behind the wheel after drinking – that is unacceptable, it is putting lives at risk and it must stop. Our advice is simple, the best approach is to have no alcohol at all. Alcohol at any level impairs driving.

“This new law will bring Scotland into line with most of Europe and hopefully reduce drink drive arrests and prosecutions, as we have already seen in the Republic of Ireland, where drivers adjusted their behaviour to take account of the lower limit.”

Chief Superintendent Iain Murray, Head of Roads Policing for Police Scotland said: “An average of 20 die on Scotland’s roads each year and last year a further 90 were seriously injured and 340 slightly injured as a result of drink driving related collisions.

“The new lower limit will reduce those numbers and the evidence from across Europe where the lower limit applies suggests we will see reductions in drink driving and blood alcohol counts.

“However even at the new limit you are three times more likely to die in a crash than if you had taken no alcohol. It is clear, when it comes to drinking and driving, that the simple ‘the best advice is none’ message is the right one.

“On the lead up to 5 December police patrols will positively engage with as many road users as possible to provide real-time education to those who may be putting themselves and others at risk, influence behaviour in the future and prevent collisions on Scotland’s roads.”

Paul Bassett, General Manager, South East Division, Scottish Ambulance Service, said: “All too often our ambulance crews have to deal with the tragic consequences of drink driving, which have a devastating impact on families and communities. The message is clear and we hope this initiative will reduce the number of lives that are ruined as a result of drink driving.”

Michael McDonnell, Director of Road Safety Scotland, said: “It’s almost 50 years since the current limit was introduced and that we still lose an average of 20 lives a year is a disgrace.

“Evidence from across the world demonstrates that the best results in tackling drink-driving are achieved by lowering the limit, or increasing enforcement, or both. We know, too, that a combination of high-profile enforcement, coupled with a heavyweight media campaign is the most efficient use of resources, and we are working closely with the Police Scotland and other partners to ensure that people know about the change to the limit and have no excuse.

“It’s not about catching more drink-drivers, but about preventing people from doing it in the first place. Ultimately, most of us have too much to lose, so it’s just not worth the risk.”

Man hospitalised after nightclub assault

A man has been treated in hospital for a facial injury after being attacked in Frederick Street’s Suva nightclub. Police said the 28-year-old was standing at the side of the dance floor when a man struck him on the face with an “unknown object” at about 02:30 on Saturday.

The victim was taken to hospital for treatment and was later released. The suspect is described as white and in his 20s. He was wearing dark clothing and was last seen running from the club.

Det Con Douglas Mogg said: “The victim suffered a painful injury to his face and we are pursuing a number of lines of inquiry to trace the male responsible. Anyone who was in the club and witnessed the attack or who has information that can help us trace the suspect is urged to contact police immediately.”

Community meeting to discuss Granton Mill vandalism

West Pilton/West Granton Community Council has organised a special community meeting to discuss vandalism in the Granton Mill area.

The meeting will take place on

TUESDAY 25 NOVEMBER from 6.30 – 8pm

in Craigroyston Community High School

Police, council officials and councillors have been invited to the event and a council Community Safety officer will report on what steps are being taken to tackle the problems.

The meeting also offers an opportunity to meet with other concerned residents and tenants who are working for the betterment of the area, and community council secretary Willie Black hopes Granton Mill’s residents will attend, get involved and make a difference.

“Why not come along to the meeting and have your say? With your help we can all make Granton Mill a place where everyone can be proud to live and work”, he said.

For further information contact Willie Black (Secretary) on 07515686421 or email w.black@blueyonder.co.uk

Community Council Public Meeting

Leith Links sex attack: man charged

A 24-year-old man has been charged with rape following a serious sexual assault on Leith Links in the early hours of Thursday morning.

The incident happened at 1am, when a 28-year-old woman was approached by a man who produced a knife before subjecting her to the attack. The man then made off and the victim contacted police.

Detective Inspector Keith Fairbairn said: “This was a horrendous attack, which left the victim deeply distressed and she is now being supported by Police Scotland and other relevant partner agencies.

“The incident was carried out in a public area and we are keen to hear from anyone who was in or around Leith Links in the early hours of Thursday morning and saw anything suspicious.

“Similarly, anyone who recognises the description of the suspect, or who has any further information that can help us trace the man responsible is also asked to contact police immediately.”

Chief Inspector Sara Buchanan said: “We understand that this incident may have an impact on the local community and so high-visibility patrols are currently being deployed within the Leith Links to engage with members of the public and offer reassurance.

“In addition officers will be liaising with relevant partner agencies to assist anyone affected by this attack.

“I would urge anyone who wishes to speak with an officer in relation to this incident to approach one of the officers at the scene, contact 101 or make an anonymous report via the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Busy night for Scotland’s firefighters

Firefighters attend over 500 bonfires on Guy Fawkes Night

Scotland’s firefighters faced a busy 5 November with initial figures showing Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) crews responded to more than 1,100 incidents including around 507 bonfires across the country last night.

Assistant Chief Officer Dave Boyle, the SFRS director of service delivery, said: “While it will take time to establish the full picture it’s clear we have seen a significant number of incidents requiring the attendance of our crews across Scotland.

“Firefighters responded to 999 calls from the Borders to the Western Isles, many of which related to bonfires that were unsupervised or endangered homes and other buildings.

“It’s important to remember however that our crews were not only involved in bonfire-related activities, they also responded to emergencies including building fires and road traffic collisions.

“As always their professionalism and specialist skills were available and put into practice wherever they were needed to protect the public.”

The importance of that campaign for people to Join Scotland’s Fight Against Fire was made clear as crews responded to a range of emergencies throughout the country.

Firefighters from Paisley, Renfrew, Clydebank, Easterhouse and Govan responded after a car reversed into a house in Renfrewshire. No-one was hurt in the incident at Sandy Road in Renfrew but crews worked to ensure the stability of the building.

It was one of 548 reported incidents in the west of Scotland between 4pm and midnight. Of these 275 were bonfires.

Crews were faced with a busy evening in the east of Scotland with over 30 firefighters from Larbert, Denny, Falkirk and Bo’ness attending a fire in a wood chipper in Cowie near Stirling at 5.20pm.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used three jets to extinguish the fire in the wood chipper that was in the open air and they continued to dampen down and check for hotspots until 8.30pm. It was one of 429 incidents in the east of Scotland, 140 of which were bonfires.

The north of Scotland saw 192 incidents including 92 bonfires. At 6:58pm five wheelie bins were set on fire in Balloan Road, Inverness. One appliance from Inverness was dispatched and crews used a hose reel jet to extinguish the fire.

Two bonfires in the South Kessock area of Inverness were located by crews. One appliance from Inverness was dispatched to the scene and crews used a knapsack sprayer and hose reel jet to extinguish the fire.

And at 8.45pm an unsupervised bonfire was reported in School Road, North Tolsta, Isle of Lewis. Tyres had been thrown onto the fire and left to burn. One appliance from Stornoway attended and extinguished the fire using a hose reel jet.

Assistant Chief Officer Lewis Ramsay, SFRS director of prevention and protection, said: “Over the weeks and months leading up to 5 November we called on people to help prevent needless incidents and ensure firefighters could quickly get to emergencies.

“By preventing bonfire-related incidents and helping to ensure our crews and their resources could quickly get where they were needed, responsible citizens have certainly played their part in protecting communities throughout Scotland.

“Along with our partners in the police and local authorities we have been actively working to raise awareness of the risks posed by fireworks and careless and poorly built bonfires.

“The fact is that every year these result in someone being hurt and the consequences for the person and their families can be devastating.

“Firefighters in every community are always ready to respond to emergencies and do whatever they can to save lives, but the sad reality is sometimes their very best efforts won’t be enough.

“We need the public’s help to prevent tragedies and so I would like to thank everybody who celebrated Guy Fawkes Night by going to an official event, as well as anyone who alerted local authorities to the build-up of bonfire materials.”

There were a small number of minor attacks on SFRS crews which included verbal abuse and missiles thrown at appliances; fortunately with no injuries or damage incurred. These included a single incident in the north and three in the west and two in the east.

ACO Boyle added: “Attacks on emergency responders are completely unacceptable and I am sure the public would be outraged by the small number of incidents where their firefighters have been targeted while working to protect people and property.

“Those responsible should know that the authorities take their mindless criminal actions extremely seriously and we work closely with police to ensure they are identified and held to account.”

Busy night for Scotland's firefighters