Police in Edinburgh’s annual campaign to keep the public visiting the city centre safe over the festive period has launched for 2026.
Operation Winter City commences Saturday, 14 November and will run until Sunday, 3 January 2027, providing a high-visibility policing presence in key areas to deter crime and respond to any incidents that arise, while also engaging and offering reassurance to those who live, work and visit.
This year, local officers will be supported by the new City Centre Policing Unit, as well as colleagues from neighbouring divisions, the Retail Crime Taskforce, CID and Road Policing.
Throughout the month, dedicated foot patrols will be undertaken in areas such as the Christmas Market, Princes Street, George Street, The High Street and Royal Mile and within both the Waverley Mall and St James Quarter. Retail premises will be regularly visited to offer appropriate advice on safeguarding their stores and to deter retail offences arising.
In addition, Project Servator deployments will take place. Project Servator is a policing tactic that aims to disrupt a range of criminal activity, including terrorism, while providing a reassuring presence for the public.
This approach uses police officers who are specially trained to spot the tell-tale signs that someone may be planning to carry out criminal activity.
It relies on unpredictable and highly visible police deployments, while at the same time building a network of vigilance made up of businesses, community partners and the general public to encourage suspicious activity to be reported.
Inspector Stephen Quinn, Silver Commander for Operation Winter City, said: “It’s always a special time to be in Edinburgh during the festive season and each year we see millions visit the Capital for shopping, nights out, or to enjoy the array of events taking place within the city centre.
“Operation Winter City ensures we have a proportionate and visible presence in the areas that see the greatest level of footfall during the coming month and we will have officers on hand to support the public with whatever is required.
“The benefit of being a national policing services means we can also flex specialist resource to support our dedicated teams working within the Capital during Christmas and New Year and I’m grateful to all of those who will be involved in Operation Winter City 2026.
“We want the public to remember the festive period spent within Edinburgh fondly, so please help us deter crime by taking simple steps to maintain your own safety and the safety of your belongings during your time here. We have a range of useful advice available on our website, and this can also be obtained by speaking to any of our officers out on patrol.
“On behalf of everyone within Edinburgh Division, I wish you all a very safe, secure and Merry Christmas.”
If you see or hear something that doesn’t feel right, report it online and in confidence at gov.uk/ACT, or in an emergency call 999.