Tag: Safer Communities

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!

Roads Closed for Total Craigroyston’s Play Out

Muirhouse Park was closed off for four hours yesterday for a Play Out event. Total Craigroyston’s Sarah Low explained what it’s all about: ‘Play Out involves closing a street for a few hours, meaning children and families can play safely in their community. Among the activities were lots of traditional games – skipping, football, rounders and even ‘pop-up theatre’! Local parents identifies the need for events like this during the recent Total Craigroyston consultations.”

Local man Robert Pearson was there, and he takes up the story:

Road closed signs positioned at either end of MuirhousePark, this was out of the norm. Was it another police incident – or something else?

It was certainly something else and something that’s never happened in Muirhouse  before! Local group Total Craigroyston had arranged a fun, safe environment for children and families to play.

From 11am until 3pm the street was a no-go for any motor vehicles, which was enough to get the kids smiling. But when the fun started, the smiles got even bigger!  Total Craigroyston staff and volunteers from North Edinburgh Women’s Group had many games and activates in mind, and officers from Lothian and Borders Police were also here to enjoy the fun and get to know the locals.

Huge thanks to Mr and Mrs Hardwick who kindly allowed a water slide to be set up in their very own garden, it was not long until the kids had formed a very orderly queue!

Who would have thought that a little bit of fairy liquid, water and a sheet of plastic would keep many kids happy for many hours, with competitions to see who could slide furthest. 

 

The fun went on for many hours; other activities included chalking on the road, designing your very own puppet, rounders, football and much more.

Father of three David Graham, of Ferry Road Drive, only heard of the event from one of his friends just the day before. He said: “It’s fantastic to hear kids joking and laughing and it’s fantastic to see so many parents enjoying the activities with their children.” David was also keen to promote next week’s Total Craigroyston event, which will take place in his street.

Many adults took part in the game of rounders – that was until someone managed to lose one ball over the roof and another in the hedge! It was all part of the fun.

My own children really enjoyed the day. Six year old Thomas said “My favourite part of the day was the water balloons” –  and he especially loved throwing the balloons as the police officer! Nine year old Gary added that it was brilliant be able to play safely in the street and not have to worry about cars. He really enjoyed the water slide and making his own puppets.

Over 100 children enjoyed the fun and joined in with many activities, and despite the heavy sudden downpours the fun continued. Huge thanks to everyone who helped and made this day possible.

Some more pictures:

 

 Lothian and Borders police officer being chased, rather than chasing; he was soon to be hit with a water balloon!

   Above: Local children Gemma (6) and Emily (9) perform their very own puppet show with assistance from Licketyspit staff.

 

Words and pictures by Robert Pearson