Officers from Drylaw’s Local Initiative Team carried out proactive patrols in the Marine Drive area yesterday and recovered six motorbikes valued at approximately £20,000.
The bikes are now in the process of being reunited with their owners. Result!
The Burnt Chef Project rolled out a hospitality survey to explore issues around staffing within the hospitality sector looking to ascertain why people had left the industry within the last 12 months.
The vast majority of the 2,143 UK based respondents (84%) are still working within the industry: 45% of them were chefs and most (75%) had been furloughed during the pandemic.
“40% of respondents have struggled with their mental health over the past 12 months”
The survey, which was launched in June and rolled out via Peopleful and Umbrella Insights, found that nearly a third of those not currently working within the sector are planning to return within the year, with 10% in the next six months.
However, there are challenges the industry faces which are impacting those who work within it and must be addressed before the industry can become a sustainable career choice for many.
Work-life balance is the most frequently mentioned barrier to working in the sector and most commonly cited reason for leaving.
Sadly, hospitality doesn’t currently come highly recommended with one in five planning on leaving in the next 12 months and around a third (37%) is on the fence.
When asked what changes would improve recruitment and retention in hospitality, the majority said, ”feeling valued’.
Unsociable and unpredictable hours – which are inherent in the trade – were a barrier to one in five, whilst salary and stressful working environments were also frequently cited barriers (one third). Only 4% of those asked highlighted job security as a concern.
The Burnt Chef Project Ambassador, Benjamin Souza-Morse, Owner of The Salutation Inn said: “Things have to change to ensure the survival of the industry, sadly it’s all too often seen as normal practice to work 80 hours a week with no respite.
“It’s not feasible for people to work all hours under the sun and still perform to the best of their abilities, we wouldn’t expect other industries to work two weeks in one. I am constantly adapting my business to try and meet its commercial needs but more importantly the needs of our team, we look closely at: maximum hours, consecutive days off, weekends off, competitive pay rates, free staff food, staff trips.
“These are just some of the things which attract and retain staff and we will be working closely with The Burnt Chef Project to ensure that we are an employer of choice, who focus on the mental health and well-being of our staff.
“If businesses recognised the needs of their team, the whole sector could produce a better balanced, desirable profession to work in.”
Not surprisingly, 40% of respondents have struggled with their mental health over the past 12 months, with around 1 in 6 reporting it has been ‘not good’.
General Managers are seemingly those finding the pressures impacting their mental health the most with 42% reporting a decline in the overall level of mental well-being since reopening. However, 60% of individuals report feeling ‘okay’ or ‘better’ about working in the industry, showing there is a large proportion of the workforce keen to stay.
Kris Hall, Founder of The Burnt Chef Project said, “We’re seeing it all over the media, and we’re hearing it first-hand in the trade. The industry is facing a severe employment crisis right now, but what our survey has shown is that there is a way out of this. Hospitality 2.0 if you like, whereby we support our employees and give them a sustainable career choice.
“There are achievable, mid-term solutions which can be implemented within the workplace to put the industry on the path to success. Training for managers to understand effective communication, performance reviews to encourage and inspire, and mental health awareness training to understand stress and its impact on team members.
“Yes, we’re facing a challenge, but we’re also faced with a huge opportunity to make a better environment within the industry. The impact of COVID-19 has been detrimental to the industry, but now is the time to knuckle down and invest in the business and primarily the people who are working in it.
“We are already working on innovative tools, resources and support services to aid businesses in tackling some of the issues raised from our data.”
For anyone looking for advice or wishing to implement mental health training within their organisation, please contact info@theburntchef.co.uk for details.
Detectives from Edinburgh have made a number of arrests in a day of action aimed at disrupting “country lines” drug supplies into the city.
Six men, aged 38, 30, 29, 24, 22 and 21, were arrested in Edinburgh and Wolverhampton today (Wednesday, 21 July) and charged in connection with various drug offences.
All are expected to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in due course.
Small quantities of crack cocaine, heroin and cannabis, along with a four figure sum of cash recovered during the operation.
Detective Inspector Kevin Tait said: “We are committed to identifying the supply chain which brings drugs into Edinburgh and disrupting the activity of people intent on bringing harm to our communities.
“The county lines model shows crime does not respect borders. “Activity such as this cross border operation shows the benefit of working closely with partner agencies in response to concerns raised by local communities.
“Intelligence is the lifeblood of investigations such as this. Communities should not have to tolerate the damage caused by drugs and I would urge anyone with information which can help us deal with those responsible to pass this on.”
“If anyone has any concerns regarding the abuse of controlled drugs, or anyone who may be involved in the supply of controlled drugs, they are urged to contact Police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
Where do you keep your keys? Near the door, on a hook, in a bowl near the door? Would they be easily accessible to thieves?
Consider the security measures you have in place and #DontMakeItEasyForthem.
Out of sight is best.
Police in Edinburgh have confirmed that a body has been found in the Threipmuir Reservoir following a recovery operation after a man was seen getting into difficulties in the water around 5.35pm on Wednesday, 14 July.
Formal identification is yet to take place, but the family of the man, who have asked for privacy, have been made aware.
There are no suspicious circumstances and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.
Thriepmuir Reservoir car park and the path alongside the reservoir, is now reopen to the public.
Criminals befriend victims online using fake identities, persuade them to perform sexual acts in front of a webcam, often by using attractive women/men to entice the victim to participate.
The webcam videos are recorded, then used by threatening to share them with the victims’ friends & family, unless the victim pays money.
The best way to protect potential victims is to encourage them to be careful about whom you befriend online just as you would offline, especially when considering sharing intimate images.
For further help and support, visit Police Scotland website:-
Police are appealing for information after two cars were deliberately set on fire in the Colinton area.
The incident happened around 11.30pm on Wednesday (14 July 2021) on the driveway of a property in Spylaw Park.
Officers are keen to speak to two men seen at the time, both wearing grey tracksuits and dark-coloured trainers. One is described as around 6ft, the other as around 5ft 10ins and he was riding a mountain bike and carrying a rucksack.
The men may also have been in Lanark Road and Spylaw Avenue around the time of the incident.
Detective Constable Sam Gillies, of Edinburgh CID, said: “Fortunately no one was injured but this was a deliberate and reckless act that has destroyed two cars and could have caused more extensive damage if the fire had not been put out quickly by the fire service.
“We are asking anyone who may have seen something suspicious in the area at the time of the incident to get in touch, including if you were driving and have dash-cam footage that could help with our investigation.
“If you can help please contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 4203 of Wednesday, 14 July, 2021, or make a call anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Motorcycles and scooters are an easy target for thieves. While these criminals are becoming more sophisticated in their methods, by following a few simple steps, you can reduce your chances of becoming a victim.
– Ensure your bike is fitted with a combined alarm and immobiliser which will deter thieves when the alarm sounds.
– Attach both a disc lock and U-lock. Do not rely on one device, the more security placed on your bike, the less attractive it is to a thief.
– Try to park under street lights- When applying your locks, ensure they are secured to a solid anchor point or a permanent piece of street furniture. Keep the lock off the ground where possible as this makes it difficult to cut off.
– Cover your motorcycle and ensure the cover is attached to the security device.
– If possible, use ‘Thatcham’ or ‘sold secure’ approved devices. These have been tested by the industry.
– Ensure you always activate the steering lock.
– Avoid leaving your helmet or other possessions on the motorcycle, in luggage space or panniers.
– Look out for car parks that are accredited to the ‘Parkmark’ scheme, as they are safer places to park vehicles. Log onto www.parkmark.co.uk for a list of car parks on your area.
– Be vigilant, ensure that you are not being followed home and check for suspicious items attached to your motorcycle or transporting vehicle/trailer that could be used to track your whereabouts.
– Tracking Devices are an effective covert security measure. They may not prevent your motorcycle from being stolen, it will assist in tracing and recovering the vehicle quickly.
– Marking and Identification Systems such as Datatag ID which can be attached to various parts of your motorcycle.
Datatag assists in identifying the owner of the vehicle should it be stolen and later recovered even if the motorcycle has been taken apart.
For more information visit www.datatag.co.uk.
Three men charged in connection with an attempted murder in West Pilton are expected to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court later today (Thursday 15 July).
The men were arrested and charged after a 34-year-old man was found seriously injured in a communal stairwell in West Pilton Grove on Friday 18 June.
Chief Inspector Sarah Taylor, said: “We would like to thank those who have come forward and assisted with our enquiries.
“I would like to reassure the members of the community that this was an isolated incident and there is no threat to the wider public.
“Our officers and partners will continue to engage with local residents to provide reassurance and I would encourage anyone who has any concerns surrounding crime in the area to get in contact with police.
“Police can be contacted on 101 or alternatively the charity Crime stoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
Original Story:
Police are appealing for information to help trace Skye Fraser, a 13 year old girl ale missing from the Ferry Road Avenue area.
Skye was last seen around 4pm yesterday (Thursday 8th July) and her family are concerned as they have not heard from her since then.
She is described as 4’0, slim build with blonde hair, usually in a ponytail. She has blue eyes and was wearing a black jumper when she was last seen.
Inspector Forrester, Drylaw Police Station, said, “We are concerned for Skye’s welfare, therefore if anyone has information that could help us find her, please call us on ‘101’, quoting reference 0078 of 9th July 2021.
“Likewise, if Skye sees this appeal, please call your family or police on ‘101’ to let us know you are safe, thank you.”
