Tag: Drylaw Police Station

Perhaps the worst Christmas present you can give?

They may be one of the most requested Christmas gifts by children and young people, but parents are being warned – steer clear of quad bikes and mini-motos. Mini-motos and quad bikes are popular, but local police are eager to let potential buyers know that these are vehicles, not toys, and they CANNOT be used on public roads and streets. They’re untaxable, uninsurable and so almost unusable.

The law states that to ride a bike on the road, you need to be over 16 and you must have registration documents, an MOT certificate, a driving licence, road tax, insurance and an approved crash helmet.

“It’s true, it’s illegal to take them onto public streets and roads – these vehicles can only be used on private land with the landowner’s permission. To use them on public roads is an offence,” said Drylaw community beat officer Neil Robinson. “We’re trying to get the message out to parents before they go spending money on these vehicles – don’t waste your money. If we see them on roads we will confiscate them, and the owner will then be subject to a substantial charge to get the vehicle back – it’s currently £170. That goes up daily if the bike is not reclaimed – costs like that are just not worth it.”

As well as potentially eye-watering fines, safety should also be a concern for those considering buying their kids a mini-moto or quad bike. “These vehicles can be dangerous – they can get up to speeds of 20mph and if a child comes off at that sort of speed you are looking at serious injury – there have been fatalities”, said Neil. “These vehicles are readily available, particularly on the internet, and these is some very cheap and nasty – and potentially very dangerous – stuff out there. There are no registration marks or chassis numbers either, so if your vehicle is stolen the chances are you’ll never see it again. We would say to parents: if you care about your children, don’t let them near these vehicles. If you’re stuck for ideas, why not think about a good pushbike – bicycles are a healthy alternative and you won’t be potentially risking your life every time you get on one.”

So if potential costs and safety issues haven’t convinced you, what about the consequences of antisocial behaviour? If you are a tenant with a Scottish Secure Tenancy Agreement – whether with the council or a housing association – you need to be aware of a specific rule that affects you: by allowing any petrol driven motor vehicle to be stored in your home or common area around your home you are effectively in breach of your tenancy agreement. This could result in legal action being taken against you and could put your tenancy at risk.

Don’t let a thoughtless Christmas present spoil your New Year – tell your kids to scrub the quad bike off that letter to Santa!

Partnership approach to tackle antisocial behaviour

North Edinburgh agencies will join together to launch a season of activities to tackle antisocial behaviour tomorrow. Local police are working with officers from the Fire and Rescue Service, City of Edinburgh Council and other agencies to focus on crime and antisocial behaviour in and around the West Pilton area in response to concerns raised by local residents.

To supplement existing work in the area, a season of co-ordinated crime prevention and environmental improvement activity will begin tomorrow (25 September) and continue into the Autumn.

As well as different council departments, other agencies including the DVLA and Trading Standards will be focusing on the area by co-ordinating their work in conjunction with the local police Safer Neighbourhood Team at Drylaw police station.

A series of activities are planned which will include community led clean-ups, targeting of fly tipping, cycle marking and bike security sessions, joint police / environmental patrols and road safety ‘parksmart’ sessions around primary schools. Free crime prevention surveys will also be offered to victims of housebreaking and hate crime and the police will also be visiting shops and licensed premises to assist them with security and safety advice as winter approaches.

Drop-in surgeries are also planned to allow residents to share their concerns with police and council officers and ensure that resources are focused to where they are needed.

Inspector Mark Rennie from Drylaw police station said: “By being smarter about when and where we use our resources in the area we will be able to have a greater impact on crime and antisocial behaviour over the autumn. We’ve received great support from partner agencies and there is a real willingness to maximise our efforts to tackle the underlying problems which have been reported to us by residents.”

Councillor Cammy Day, Community Safety Leader for Edinburgh, said: “The Capital Coalition is committed to keeping our communities safe. By listening to people and working in partnership with other agencies we can tackle the priority issues and improve the quality of life. I would like to encourage residents to take part in the organised activities aimed at making the area cleaner, greener and safer for all. Take time out to attend one of the many drop in surgeries that are being arranged and tell us what issues are affecting you. This is a great opportunity for our residents to help shape the services that are provided for their benefit. Speak to us about anti-social behaviour, graffiti, dog fouling or anything that you feel will improve life within your community.”

Regular updates on the progress of the operation and ongoing activities will be available on twitter via @LBP_Police and @north_team – and on the NEN blog, of course!

Family plea for return of Elizabeth’s bench

Elizabeth Maginnis memorial bench stolen

A bench dedicated to the memory of local councillor Elizabeth Maginnis has been stolen from Elizabeth Maginnis Court in Royston Mains, and the Maginnis family have issued a plea for information that could lead to it’s return.

Dunedin Canmore Housing Association opened the new care home complex in Royston Mains Crescent last November, and the building was named after the late Granton councillor who died in September 2008. The Maginnis family sited the engraved hardwood bench there, where it provided both a quiet and peaceful pspot for residents and visitors and also a place where Maginnis family members could remember a much-loved wife, daughter and mum.

However the bench was stolen last weekend and the family are now desperate for it’s return.

Elizabeth’s husband Michael said: “On Saturday morning Elizabeth’s mother Betty received a call from her friend Ella, who is a resident at Elizabeth Maginnis Court, to say that the bench had gone. She said the bench was definitely there at 10pm on Friday night but it had gone by 8am on Saturday morning”.

He continued: “It’s absolutely awful for the family, deeply upsetting and we’d like to hear from anyone who has any information that could lead to it’s recovery. It’s a unique bench, heavily engraved, and really it’s of no use to anyone other than our family. For us, the bench has been a focus for our family – it was touching when Elizabeth Maginnis Court was named after Elizabeth, but that’s not quite so intimate as having the bench itself. We’re devastated”.

Among the engravings on the bench are the words: ‘In loving memory of Elizabeth Maginnis. A wonderful wife,fantastic mum and great Councilllor’.

There are some indications of how the bench was removed and there are CCTV cameras in the area, but Michael hopes that local people will also come forward with information.

“We are not really interested in who took it or why, we just want the bench back and would be so grateful if local residents would get in touch if they have any information at all. Many local people knew Elizabeth and I think many people will be disgusted with what has happened. If anyone knows anything, however small, please come forward”.

If you have any information that could lead to the recovery of the bench, please telephone Drylaw Police Station on 343 3171, Fettes HQ on 311 3131 or the concierge at Dunedin Canmore on 478 8888. Alternatively you can also call Crimestoppers in complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.

Family plea for return of Elizabeth's bench

Elizabeth Maginnis memorial bench stolen

A bench dedicated to the memory of local councillor Elizabeth Maginnis has been stolen from Elizabeth Maginnis Court in Royston Mains, and the Maginnis family have issued a plea for information that could lead to it’s return.

Dunedin Canmore Housing Association opened the new care home complex in Royston Mains Crescent last November, and the building was named after the late Granton councillor who died in September 2008. The Maginnis family sited the engraved hardwood bench there, where it provided both a quiet and peaceful pspot for residents and visitors and also a place where Maginnis family members could remember a much-loved wife, daughter and mum.

However the bench was stolen last weekend and the family are now desperate for it’s return.

Elizabeth’s husband Michael said: “On Saturday morning Elizabeth’s mother Betty received a call from her friend Ella, who is a resident at Elizabeth Maginnis Court, to say that the bench had gone. She said the bench was definitely there at 10pm on Friday night but it had gone by 8am on Saturday morning”.

He continued: “It’s absolutely awful for the family, deeply upsetting and we’d like to hear from anyone who has any information that could lead to it’s recovery. It’s a unique bench, heavily engraved, and really it’s of no use to anyone other than our family. For us, the bench has been a focus for our family – it was touching when Elizabeth Maginnis Court was named after Elizabeth, but that’s not quite so intimate as having the bench itself. We’re devastated”.

Among the engravings on the bench are the words: ‘In loving memory of Elizabeth Maginnis. A wonderful wife,fantastic mum and great Councilllor’.

There are some indications of how the bench was removed and there are CCTV cameras in the area, but Michael hopes that local people will also come forward with information.

“We are not really interested in who took it or why, we just want the bench back and would be so grateful if local residents would get in touch if they have any information at all. Many local people knew Elizabeth and I think many people will be disgusted with what has happened. If anyone knows anything, however small, please come forward”.

If you have any information that could lead to the recovery of the bench, please telephone Drylaw Police Station on 343 3171, Fettes HQ on 311 3131 or the concierge at Dunedin Canmore on 478 8888. Alternatively you can also call Crimestoppers in complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.

Call in and meet your community cops

Community police officers will be holding a drop-in session at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre on Thursday (5 July) from 7 – 8pm.

PC Sarah Hall of Drylaw’s Safer Neighbourhood Team explained: “Myself and Constable Tony Lawrence are holding regular Police Drop-In sessions at the new Royston/Wardieburn Community Centre. We hope this will be a chance for residents to informally meet their local community Police Officers and raise any questions or concerns they may have.”

Dates set after next Thursday are Thursday 2 August, Thursday 30 August, Thursday 27 September, Thursday 25 October and Thursday 22 November. All  sessions are from 7 – 8pm.