Campaign group Save Stockbridge has organised an emergency meeting to discuss the collapse of the wall adjacent to Edinburgh Accies rugby ground on Comely Bank Road.
A Save Stockbridge spokesperson said: “This is a very controversial issue and local people are infuriated at what has happened to the wall and how it has been allowed to collapse.”
The meeting will take place on Wednesday 17 December at 8pm at the LifeCare Centre on Cheyne Street. All welcome.
Police probe possible link with robbery at nearby Gregg’s
Police in Edinburgh have launched an investigation after three men robbed a supermarket in Granton on Wednesday afternoon (10 December).
The incident happened at Iceland on West Granton Road around 5.15pm, when the first suspect approached the till with an item to buy. He indicated to the two other suspects, and one of these men reached over and grabbed a three-figure sum of cash from the till.
The three suspects ran from the store in the direction of West Granton Road.
This incident comes after a similar robbery at Gregg’s Bakery on Crewe Road North on Tuesday, around 3pm, which may be linked.
All three suspects are described as white, and around 26 to 27 years old.
The first suspect is described as 5ft 10 in tall, stocky build, wearing a dark coloured hoody, black scarf over his lower face, dark joggers, and white Nike trainers.
The second suspect is described as slim build and wearing a dark hoody, with grey hoody underneath, grey joggers, blue sandshoes.
The third suspect, who took the cash from the till, is described as slim build, gaunt face, and wearing a dark coloured hoody with hood up and grey hoody underneath, dark joggers, light coloured trainers.
Detective Sergeant Lynsey Thomson said: “This robbery was distressing for those who were in the supermarket at the time, and we are keen to hear from anyone who was on West Granton Road around 5.15pm who may have information that can assist. We believe there may be a connection to the robbery at Greggs bakery in Pilton on Tuesday, and if anyone recognises the description of the suspects, they are urged to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Police are appealing for witnesses following two local robberies earlier this week:
Police in Edinburgh are investigating following a robbery at Greggs Bakery, on Crewe Road North, Edinburgh on Tuesday afternoon (9 December).
The incident happened around 3pm when a man entered the shop in possession of what is believed to have been a knife and stole a quantity of money from the cash register before making off in the direction of Boswall Parkway.
The suspect is described as white, 5ft 6 in tall, medium build, and wearing a sky blue hoodie with white writing, and with the hood up.
Police are appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time to contact police on 101.
The other incident happened at Farmers Autocare in the Blackhall dip on Queensferry Road, where there was a break-in between 8.20pm on Tuesday night and 7.45am on Wednesday morning.
Entry was forced to storage containers in the forecourt and around 70 tyres were stolen from the garage, with an approximate value of £3100. Enquiries reveal a transit type van may have been involved at some point during the night.
Police are appealing for any witnesses who may have seen this van to come forward.
PC Grimwood said: “The suspects have used a transit type van to transport the stolen property. We are asking for anyone who was driving past Farmers Autocare between 8.20pm and 7.45am and perhaps saw tyres being loaded onto a vehicle or persons acting suspiciously to contact Police Scotland immediately on 101 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Well, winter’s here and the city council is offering advice on how to stay safe as the bad weather bites …
The Council’s website has information on what to do when gales and storms are forecast, such as parking vehicles in garages or away from buildings and trees etc or securing loose objects that could be blown away.
As temperatures look set to plummet once again towards the end of the week with snow in the forecast as well, residents can also log on to see an interactive map of salt bins across the city and find out the priority streets and pavements for gritting patrols. You can now use online forms to report problems with salt bins or to request a new one for your area.
Preparing for wintry conditions is strongly recommended and the Ready for Winter web page includes tips such as investing in a good, strong snow shovel and arranging a winter health check for your car.
During severe weather, remember to check on your neighbours, particularly if they are older or live alone. Keep up to date with roads, schools and travel information on the website, via Twitter and local radio.
Councillor Lesley Hinds, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “Winter is definitely here now and the Council has been hard at work for many weeks getting the Capital as prepared as possible for whatever the weather has in store for us.
“We’ve got 16,000 tonnes of salt stockpiled – more than three times the amount we used in the whole of winter 2013/14 – and gritting teams have been patrolling and on standby since late October, responding to the detailed and regular forecasts we receive from the Met Office.
“As always, we’d remind residents to do whatever they need to do to get themselves ‘winter ready’ and would urge everyone to look out for those in their community who might be less able to look after themselves.”
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service would like to remind tenants to keep their stairwells clear – especially in the run up to Christmas:
Group Manager Steve Gourlay, the City of Edinburgh Prevention and Protection Manager, said: “We would urge people not to leave rubbish or bins in the common stairwells of tenement blocks. This can be very attractive to fire setters and increases the risk of a fire. Discarded items of furniture and rubbish can produce large amounts of toxic smoke and also impede access for emergency responders.
In Edinburgh, roughly 100 deliberate property fires occur every year with many of these involving combustibles in stairwells – the casualties and damage caused are preventable and we need to reduce them.
“You can reduce the risk of fire for yourself and your neighbours by keeping common stairs clear and free from obstruction and making sure main doors are kept locked. Steps should be taken to ensure the door entry/intercom system is working.
“I would like to stress the importance of having a working smoke alarm. Every household should have working smoke alarm and test them every week. We provide free home fire safety visits and fit smoke alarms where required. If you know someone who can benefit from our service, why not get them to give us a call? It is important that you know what to do if a fire does occur in the stairwell and how to keep safe. We can advise on this as part of the visit.
“If you or someone you know could benefit from a visit, please join Scotland’s fight against fire and request a visit by calling the SFRS freephone number 0800 0731 999, or by contacting their local fire station.”
A wide range of tips on how to keep yourself and your home safe from fire are available on the SFRS website: www.firescotland.gov.uk
Police in Edinburgh have launched their annual campaign to keep people safe during the festive season.
As part of Operation Greenland, (formerly Operation Astrodome) officers in the city centre will each day issue a special ‘Countdown to Christmas’ photo on social media. The image will relate to a specific theme of festive safety or update the public on policing activity being carried out over Christmas and New Year.
The public can receive these images and updates by liking the Edinburgh Division Facebook page and by following the @EdinCityPolice Twitter account.
Social media users can also join in the discussion about the campaign by using the hashtag #OpGreenland.
As always, officers within the Capital will provide a high-visibility presence across the city in the coming weeks to offer a range of crime prevention and personal safety advice.
In addition, police will specifically target busy areas and destinations during the holiday season to distribute specially designed leaflets that inform the public on how to ‘Shop Safe’ and ‘Party Safe’.
Chief Superintendent Mark Williams, Divisional Commander for the City of Edinburgh said: “Edinburgh is one of the most beautiful, vibrant and safe cities in the world, and the policing plans we’re announcing today means this is set to continue into the festive season and beyond.
“The city is already getting busier, with locals and visitors taking full advantage of the shopping and attractions on offer, and many people will soon be out enjoying festive nights out in the restaurants, pubs and clubs.
“We are keen to ensure people can have a safe and enjoyable time whilst soaking up the fantastic atmosphere that the city has to offer.”
Community Safety Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, Councillor Cammy Day, said: “Edinburgh is a safe place to visit and to live in, and our winter festival attracts people from around the world each year.
“We want to make sure that everyone will enjoy themselves and stay safe. I urge revellers to keep an eye on their belongings during a night out and to act responsibly.
“Working closely with the police and other agencies, our community safety wardens will be conducting high visibility patrols. Starting at the end of November, extra patrols will be out on Friday and Saturday evenings, and there will be a daily focus on the winter festival area.”
Ch Supt Williams said there are a number of simple steps you can take whilst enjoying the festive season. “Make sure you are always aware of your surroundings and keep your property safe when out and about. If you’re enjoying a night out in town then please drink responsibly and don’t let excessive alcohol consumption ruin your evening.
“This will also be our most interactive festive season yet and through social media we will issue a new ‘Countdown to Christmas’ photo each day with further information and advice. Members of the public can view these images by liking the Edinburgh Division Facebook page and following our @EdinCityPolice Twitter account.
“Updates on all Operation Greenland activity will also be available on these sites, as well as our @EdinburghPolice Twitter account, which covers the entire city.”
Click on the link below to see a short film about last weekend’s West Pilton cleanup:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYQPlJ4y9oQ (Preview)
And for more information about the #StrongerNorth initiative, follow:
https://www.facebook.com/edinburghcouncil?ref=hl
https://twitter.com/Edinburgh_CC
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:
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.”
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.”
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
