A consultation on new legislation on the sale and use of fireworks and tackling the misuse of pyrotechnics has been published.
The proposed Fireworks and Pyrotechnics Bill follows the report of an independent Fireworks Review Group which recommended tightening legislation to reduce the harm fireworks can cause.
The eight week consultation will seek views on the creation of a new offence of carrying a pyrotechnic device in a public place without reasonable excuse or lawful authority.
It is also seeking views from the public on the extension of police powers to allow a stop and search provision in relation to carrying pyrotechnics without a justifiable cause.
In addition a number of proposals will change how fireworks can be sold and used in Scotland.
These include the introduction of an offence to criminalise the supply of adult fireworks to people under the age of 18 – and the introduction of ‘no firework’ areas.
The proposed Bill is in addition to new regulations laid in the Scottish Parliament in February, which come into force at the end of June, restricting the times of day and the volume of fireworks that can be supplied to the public – as well as the times fireworks can be set off.
Community Safety Minister Ash Denham said: “Following the overwhelming results of the public consultation on fireworks that took place in 2019 it was clear fireworks are an important issue to the people of Scotland and that there is a strong appetite for change to improve safety.
“To help us consider the issue I appointed an independent Review Group of experts who concluded that a fundamental shift is needed in how fireworks are accessed and used.
“A number of the group’s recommendations required legislation and we have moved quickly to lay regulations which will see progress for communities across Scotland in time for this year’s fireworks period. The remaining Review Group recommendations require primary legislation which is why we are publishing this consultation today.
“I am also seeking views on how we might reduce the misuse of pyrotechnic devices such as hand held flares and smoke devices which represent a significant safety risk to anyone who comes into contact with them.
“I am committed to making our communities safer and to taking strong action now to avoid harm, distress and injury and I would encourage everyone with an interest to have their say.”
Police Scotland Chief Superintendent Linda Jones of Partnership, Prevention and Community Wellbeing said: “The unauthorised use of pyrotechnics at events is a criminal offence, inherently dangerous, and a matter of significant concern to Police Scotland.
“Pyrotechnics can burn at up to 1200 Celsius and have the potential to cause fatal or life-changing injuries to users and by-standers.
“They can emit chemicals which can trigger respiratory problems and cause irritation to eyes. The discharge of pyrotechnics can also cause panic within crowded spaces.
“There is no safe way to operate pyrotechnics unless you are properly trained – leave it to the experts at organised events.”
Chair of the Scottish Police Federation David Hamilton said: “In Scotland alone, scores of police officers and members of the public have been injured by pyrotechnic devices.
“This legislation would empower police officers to deal with this danger and would lead to safer streets and safer events for all.”
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Assistant Chief Officer Stuart Stevens said: “It is clear that the inappropriate use of fireworks can cause harm and serious injury and can distress people, pets and the wider community.
“In a minority of cases, fireworks are linked to anti-social behaviour which can put our crews and our partners at risk whilst drawing unnecessarily on our emergency service resources.
“We therefore welcome any measures to keep our communities safe, including this Bill, and we join with the Minister in encouraging everyone with an interest to have their say.”
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Plastic Surgery Registrar Eleanor Robertson said: “We are delighted that recommendations from the Firework Review Group have been swiftly translated into impactful draft legislation.
“The proposed firework legislation in Scotland will introduce controls and safeguards at purchase and limit the time and location of their use.
“This will reduce the incidence of psychological distress and physical harm, whilst still permitting their use at celebratory events.”
Scottish SPCA head of education, policy and research Gilly Mendes Ferreira said: “We were proud to be part of the Fireworks Review Group and delighted that these recommendations are being taken forward.
“The introduction of ‘no fireworks zones’ will help stop animals suffering from stress caused by fireworks.”
The mother of a young man from Fife who tragically lost his life last summer at a local beauty spot is warning of the dangers of open water.
Keivan Ulhaq, 20, had been socialising with friends at Lochore Meadows, known locally as ‘The Meedies’, when he entered the water on a Saturday evening last June.
His mum Sheena Ulhaq says that despite him being a strong and active young man he got into difficulty.
Sheena, who lives in Cowdenbeath with Keivan’s eight siblings and husband Nisar, wants to prevent anyone else going through the tragic events of June 20 last year.
She said: “Keivan was happy go lucky and he loved life. He doted on his younger brothers and sisters. We all miss him so much.
“On the day he died I remember the weather was really nice and I was at home decorating.
“He had gone to The Meedies with some friends, but the water was still freezing cold despite the weather.
“Keivan was really active and was always doing back flips, especially if we were at the beach then he’d do back flips into the water.
“But that day he struggled despite being a six foot big strapping lad. He suffered cold water shock and had a cardiac arrest.
“It’s really important that people are aware of the dangers of open water because I wouldn’t want this to happen to anyone else.
“I’m so grateful for all the support I’ve had, since Keivan died, from everyone who knows the family and I thank them from the bottom of my heart.”
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was alerted to the incident at Lochore Meadows last June and mobilised two appliances and a water rescue unit to the scene to assist emergency service partners.
Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Alasdair Perry said: “We are grateful to Sheena for speaking about her story, and the tragic circumstances in which Keivan lost his life, to improve the safety of others.
“We want people to stay safe around water this summer. However, our crews regularly respond to emergency calls from people in difficulty who need to be rescued.
“We all like heading outdoors at this time of year, but unsupervised water can be extremely dangerous.
“Open water can become very cold just a few feet under the surface and can cause cramps or Cold Water Shock meaning your strength and ability to swim deteriorates rapidly.”
Since Keivan’s death, SFRS has worked with partners to install new water safety signs and lifesaving throwline equipment at Lochore Meadows to protect the public.
Sheena Ulhaq is also raising funds for more equipment, including a defibrillator.
Station Commander Michael Gemmell, based in Fife, said: “What happened to Keivan was a tragedy and it’s devastating for everyone who knew him.
“Unless you are fully trained, competent and equipped to enter water courses, keep a safe distance from water.
“This isn’t about spoiling anyone’s fun, it’s about preventing anyone else from needlessly losing their life.”
Visit the water safety page in the Your Safety section on the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service website for information on how to stay safe.
Responses to a major consultation and market research exercise on perceptions of Spaces for People measures, and whether they should be retained, have been published by the city council.Lothians MSP Miles Briggs says the results show the SNP-Labour ‘Capital Coalition’ has made a ‘total dog’s breakfast’ of the Spaces for People scheme
More than 17,600 people responded to our public consultation in March, which asked respondents about their familiarity with schemes introduced to help people walk, cycle and wheel safely during the COVID pandemic, and whether they would like to see them kept longer-term.
Alongside this, market research was carried out by independent market research consultants on our behalf, providing a statistically representative sample of opinion from a cross section of residents.
Officers are assessing each scheme for retention using a set of criteria agreed at January’s Transport and Environment Committee, including whether they encourage walking and cycling, how they impact businesses and whether they affect public transport. The longer-term contribution to the Council’s strategic transport objectives will also be considered.
Feedback gathered through consultation and market research will be taken into account as part of the assessments and will help guide recommendations on which schemes to keep beyond the pandemic, which will be considered by Transport and Environment Committee on 17 June.
Transport and Environment Convener Councillor Lesley Macinnes said: “Firstly, I want to thank all those who took the time to complete the consultation. The changes we have introduced reach across Edinburgh, so we wanted to hear from as many different people in communities around the city as possible.
“Officers have been assessing each of the schemes for retention using a set of criteria agreed by committee and responses to the consultation and market research will be part of this process, helping to form recommendations for the best way forward.
“I look forward to constructive debate with fellow councillors on the future of these schemes, and how they can benefit residents and visitors to Edinburgh longer term.”
Transport and Environment Vice Convener Councillor Karen Doran said: “Over the last year we’ve introduced many measures to help people physically distance and travel safely during the pandemic, and there have been a range of opinions shared on their effectiveness and impacts on the people who live here.
“Thanks to the feedback gathered in March, we’ll now be able to take people’s comments and ideas into account as we assess each scheme, meaning a rounded approach as we move beyond the pandemic.”
Far from a ’rounded approach’, Tory Lothians MSP Miles Briggs has branded the council’s handling of the scheme ‘a total dog’s breakfast’.
Miles Briggs said that 60% of Edinburgh residents are opposed to the scheme, and added: “The people of Edinburgh have spoken and it is clear that residents across the Capital have lost confidence in Spaces for People.
“From the outset many local representatives have expressed concern at the total lack on consultation and the introduction of schemes which have had a negative impact on all road users – yet the Council knowns best approach has prevailed.
“It is inconceivable for Edinburgh Council to continue with Spaces for People with a significant majority of people against the scheme.
“There have been countless issues and risks with Spaces for People and Edinburgh Council must now start to listen and reverse these changes immediately.
“There has been an overwhelming amount of opposition and the plan to make Spaces for People permanent must be taken off the table.
“It is clear that the SNP / Labour coalition running Edinburgh City Council have made a total dog’s breakfast of the Spaces for People scheme and if they will not act this is set to become a major campaign issue at the Council elections next year.”
Questions in both the consultation and market research focused on how much people supported or opposed retaining changes in place, what they considered to be the main benefits or disadvantages of retaining measures and which schemes people would especially like to see retained or removed.
While there were differences in the level of support or opposition for schemes between consultation and market research results, in general, for both, participants shared the strongest support for measures at schools, followed by schemes in the city centre.
Both reported lower rates of support for town centre interventions and protected cycle lanes, with the lowest levels of support for leisure connections and Quiet Connections, with many market research respondents saying they weren’t aware of these changes.
The council began introducing Spaces for People measures in May 2020 in order to ‘help people physically distance, travel safely and exercise during the COVID pandemic’.
In January 2021 it was agreed to explore the potential for retaining some of the schemes longer-term, in recognition of their impact on Council objectives to encourage walking and cycling, improve air quality, reduce congestion and achieve net zero carbon emissions, amongst other commitments.
Three separate surveys aimed at residents, businesses and stakeholders were conducted for the consultation. This was made available in a range of formats including regular print, large print, braille and translation into other languages. A British Sign Language video was also displayed on the project website to further widen access to people with hearing loss.
Transport and Environment Convener Councillor Lesley Macinnes has written in yesterday’s Edinburgh Evening News (Wednesday, 2 June) on the aims of Spaces for People, and plans to move forward with the programme – see below.
We’re working to get the balance right
It’s now more than a year since we began introducing Spaces for People measures to help people to make journeys by foot, bike and wheelchair safely while physically distancing.
It was inevitable that introducing changes in so many parts of the city would give rise to differing reactions, with people expressing both concerns and positive comments.
We’re now considering the results of a major consultation and market research on the changes we’ve made, and whether people would like any of them to be kept more permanently. Before we move to the next stage, I want to take this opportunity to comment on some of the key issues that have arisen since the start of the pandemic.
Some people have asked us why we’ve been making these changes. Last year, in the depths of lockdown, we had very little choice. As the nation came to terms with a ‘new normal’ where 2m physical distancing is needed, the way we moved around the city changed drastically. People were stepping on roads to give one another space, cycling along busy routes to avoid public transport or squeezing onto narrow pavements to take daily exercise.
Throughout the course of the last year our approach has evolved with the changing situation, and strands of the programme reflect that. From the beginning, when we created Spaces for Exercise, so people could get to places like Silverknowes prom safely (and they did, in great number), to our city and town centres schemes to add space on busy high streets. Restrictions outside schools helped limit crowding as pupils returned to full-time learning and Travelling Safely measures provided much-needed cycle space on busy roads as alternatives to congested off-road networks, along with a scheme to remove obstructive street clutter from our streets.
Both the Scottish and UK Governments have encouraged and funded local authorities across the country to make temporary changes to facilitate active travel. Through the Scottish Government, via Sustrans, we’ve been awarded £5.25m in total specifically to provide additional space for physical distancing in the pandemic – and I want to be clear that we can’t spend this money on filling potholes or elsewhere.
To those who question Sustrans’ influence over our decisions – Sustrans is a respected, national charity and we value their input highly. But these decisions are very much our own. It’s our responsibility to protect citizens’ safety, to support businesses to thrive and to give children and families space to enjoy safe, pollution-free routes.
This is an entirely new situation, and I know that some of the road layouts have taken time to adjust to. But we’re also in the midst of a crisis. We’ve followed guidance set by the Scottish Government to help us get these emergency changes to protect public health on the ground quickly – in fact, we’ve gone further than expected to engage with key stakeholders on every single scheme. As a result, we’ve tweaked and improved many of the measures along the way.
It’s thanks to the efforts of our dedicated Spaces for People team that we’ve been able to respond to community concerns. Each intervention is carefully risk assessed, taking blue badge parking and loading into account, and is closely monitored once in place. People’s safety is our priority, and we notify emergency services about every intervention, addressing any access issues if necessary.
As restrictions are eased alongside the rapid rollout of vaccinations across the population, some may ask why we still need interventions like these in place. While there is much to be grateful for, we’re not out of the woods yet. The fast-spreading Indian variant of the COVID virus still threatens to set back best laid plans to fully exit lockdown. Large sections of society, many of whom don’t own a car, still feel nervous to set foot on public transport. And as businesses reopen with restrictions in place, queues will become commonplace on our streets.
That these changes are helping to people to walk, cycle and wheel more easily aligns with our strategic policy goals too. Our ambitious ten-year City Mobility Plan focuses on sustainable travel, while projects like City Centre Transformation will facilitate travel by foot, wheelchair or bike. Our commitments to become carbon neutral by 2030, to significantly improve air quality and to encourage healthy, active travel will benefit from people choosing to walk or cycle over private car journeys.
Of course, we recognise some schemes have caused disruption and we want to minimise that for residents and businesses. This is a difficult balance but we’re trying again to get it right.
We have no intention of pushing through any permanent schemes under the cover of Spaces for People. We want to bring the people of Edinburgh along with us. That’s why we would be using Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders to implement any longer-term changes, meaning we can continue to involve local people in their operation and evolution once in place.
Many of the changes we’ve made, it’s worth noting, are as a result of our Commonplace consultation last year and have been informed by residents’ suggestions for improvements. The 17,600 responses we received to the latest consultation, along with the findings of in-depth marketing research conducted with a representative cross-section of residents, will be invaluable as we progress to the next stage of the programme.
This insight, along with the expertise of our officers, who are working to a defined set of criteria approved by elected councillors in committee, will help us to understand where we can make schemes better, how they can be changed to suit more people and where, in some areas, they can be scaled back.
At the end of March the Council installed new numbered signs at Portobello Beach on top of the marker posts at the far end of the existing beach groyne structures.
A jointly produced information video of the signs is now being released as part of the projects continuing efforts.
The signs provide an immediate and visually prominent location reference, not just to members of the public but also to attending emergency services, lifeboats, coastguard rescue teams and search & rescue helicopters.
Numbered 1 to 6, these signs are plotted on all emergency service, call and mapping systems:
Marker 1 – Pipe Lane
Marker 2 – Bath Street
Marker 3 – Bellfield Street
Marker 4 – John Street
Marker 5 – Bedford Terrace
Marker 6 – End of promenade at Joppa Road.
Police will continue working with partners as the year continues at Portobello.
In a beach or coastal emergency, please dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
More than 1,000 assaults on officers and staff included coronavirus related context during 2020-21, according to latest analysis by Police Scotland.
The 1,087 reports were identified by searching cases for keywords relating to coronavirus such as ‘spit’, ‘cough’ and ‘Covid’.
The figure contributed to a total of 6,942 recorded assaults on officers and staff, 413 more than the year before, an increase of 6.3% year on year.
Reported assaults are also up 18% on the five year average, continuing a long-term trend of increasing assaults against the police.
There were 550 assaults in Edinburgh (E division) with a further 402 in Lothian and Borders (J), but specific Covid-related numbers are unavailable. The highest number of assaults recorded was in Greater Glasgow, where 1577 assaults were recorded, of which 336 were Covid-related.
Deputy Chief Constable, People and Professionalism, Fiona Taylor said: “Officers and staff stepped-forward to help combat the spread of the virus, conducting in excess of 120,000 interactions with members of the public to explain rapidly changing guidance, encourage everyone to do the right thing and enforce the law where required.
“I am grateful to the vast majority of people who responded with remarkable co-operation and support for their police service.
“Officers and staff work with dedication and a commitment to helping people and violence and abuse against them is utterly deplorable and unacceptable. It is not simply part of the job and will not be tolerated.”
Police Scotland has brought additional focus to tackling the concerning issue of violence and abuse against officers and staff under the Your Safety Matters initiative, led by DCC Taylor.
The initiative, in which staff associations and unions are represented, contributed to the development of the Chief Constable’s Assault Pledge, backed by the Lord Advocate and the Cabinet Secretary of Justice.
The pledge was launched in August 2020 and promised to provide appropriate support to colleagues where violence occurs, as well as calling on wider society and the public to support policing.
During the last year, Police Scotland has established an enhanced Operational Safety Training programme which increases the annual refresher course from one day to two days and introduces new techniques and de-escalation tactics.
New guidance for officers and staff has also been published to support better reporting of health and safety incidents and assaults.
DCC Taylor said: “Tackling the concerning trend of increasing assaults on officers and staff is a priority for Police Scotland.
“It causes physical and psychological harm to dedicated public servants. There is also a cost to the public purse through days lost to ill-health or personal injury claims.
“We will continue to work to better understand how we prevent violence and abuse against officers and staff, what impact it has on our colleagues, and how we can better support them to do their job.”
Police Scotland recently asked for public views on armed police officers using Body Worn Video cameras to record certain incidents. Almost 9,000 people took part in that survey and the majority thought the use of BWV would increase trust and confidence in the police and make them feel safer.
This positive response means we will now equip our armed police officers with body worn video cameras this year. In addition, we expect to start a national consultation with the public in the summer about providing BWV cameras to more officers and staff right across Scotland.
We have improved our infrastructure to support more take-up of existing Taser provision and are engaging with partners and elected representatives about plans to increase the numbers of Specially Trained Officers equipped with this important safety kit.
Focus on the critical issue of officer and staff safety will continue in 2021-22 and further details will be released as progress is made.
Water Safety Scotland urges people to take precautions as incident data shows an increase in water-related fatalities
Water Safety Scotland (WSS) is urging people across Scotland to ‘Respect the Water’ when visiting and enjoying its waterways and coastlines.
This call comes at a time when the latest figures from the Water Incident Database (WAID), which is maintained by the National Water Safety Forum (NWSF), revealed that there were 99 water-related fatalities in Scotland’s waters, with 39 due to accidental drownings in 2020.*
79% of accidental fatalities happened at inland waters. This is a significant change from previous years, which have seen most accidental fatalities happen at the coast.
With drownings across the world currently in the spotlight after the United Nations (UN) recent General Assembly, there are growing concerns emerging with the announcement of these new figures.
As Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters 2021 is in full swing, WSS is keen to support people getting out and enjoying Scotland’s waterways with safety at the forefront of any activities.
In line with the NWSF ‘Respect the Water’ campaign, WSS is asking members of the public to follow Scotland’s Water Safety Code wherever they are in Scotland, and have, as a result, created a new webpage to support the ‘Respect The Water’ campaign.
Michael Avril, Chair of Water Safety Scotland said: “Every fatality in Scotland massively impacts the persons friends and family and we at Water Safety Scotland will continue to do everything within our powers to prevent future tragedies.
“2020 was an exceptionally difficult year in so many ways and the increased number of drowning fatalities may have been caused by a number of factors. Water Safety Scotland will continue to work in partnership to carry out prevention activity and to better understand the causes of these tragedies.
“We ask everyone to come together in Scotland to support the #RespectTheWater campaign and follow Scotland’s Water Safety code.”
With Scotland’s Drowning Prevention Strategy in its fourth year, the four-year review of the strategy will be published next spring along with a planned RoSPA Water Safety Conference.
This year’s WAID statistics also includes a fatality figure from suspected suicides. The figure for Scotland in 2020 was 28, with the Scotland’s Drowning Prevention Strategy average being 29.
Rachel Cackett, Executive Director for Samaritans Scotland and chair of the Water Safety Scotland’s Suicide Prevention Subgroup, said: “Suicide accounts for around 1 in 3 water-related fatalities in Scotland every year. Working to understand and reduce the risks of suicidal behaviour around Scotland’s waterways is important both for suicide prevention policy and for realising the overall aims of Scotland’s Drowning Prevention Strategy.
“Today’s figures are a reminder that it’s vital we continue to work with partners across national and local government, health, emergency and first response services, and the third and voluntary sector to develop knowledge and insight around suicidal behaviour around water-ways, and that we carry on working together to strengthen prevention and intervention.”
There is no legal definition of Stalking, however it can be described as:
“Two or more behaviours directed towards a victim which cause, are intended to cause, or where the perpetrator’s behaviour is reckless as to whether it causes, the victim to suffer fear and alarm.”
‘Fear and alarm’ is physical or psychological harm. It is also fear for your safety.
Stalking behaviours
Each stalking situation is unique and stalkers may have different motivations. The tactics they use are often very similar.
These include:
Following someone
Contacting or attempting to contact a person by any means
Publishing material about someone without their consent
Monitoring someone’s phone, internet, email or other form of communication
Loitering in a public or private place
Interfering with someone’s property
Leaving unwanted gifts or notes for someone
Watching or spying on someone.
If you think you are being stalked or are suffering harassment, please report it to Police Scotland.
You can do this at your local police station, by phoning 101, reporting online or calling 999 if it is an emergency.
We’re continuing to get calls about wheelie bin fires. If your wheelie bin is easily accessible, please take a few minutes to move it to a safe & secure location where it cannot be taken. Don’t let your wheelie bin become a target for deliberate fires.
Following an increasing number of antisocial behaviour incidents reported to police within the last week, particularly focused around the Meadows, Local Area Commander Chief Inspector Sam Ainslie has issued a statement:
Chief Inspector Sam Ainslie said: “As the Local Area Commander, I am saddened by the number of antisocial behaviour incidents reported to police within the last week, with concerns tending to be focused around the Meadows.
“Given the challenges of the last few months, local communities should be able to enjoy our open green spaces, in accordance with the current guidelines. Disappointingly, the selfish and sometimes reckless behaviour of a small minority continues to have a negative impact on others. This includes, but is not limited to, drink-related disorder.
“Community safety remains an established priority and we will continue to work with our partners, including the City of Edinburgh Council, retail premises and transport providers, to combat antisocial behaviour in all its forms.
“Local officers will continue to remain visible in the area, whether that be on mobile, foot, or indeed cycle patrol.
“I would encourage the public, if you observe or witness criminality in the area, to help us hold offenders to account by contacting Police Scotland on 101, or 999 in an emergency.
“I’d like to thank the vast majority of people for following the regulations, whilst they remain in place. As ever, our officers will engage with the public, explain the current coronavirus guidance and encourage compliance, where necessary.”
