Talking tagging in community shop

Steve Harte, Young People’s Service Manager attended the shop this week. Steve works a lot with the Police and Youth Offenders.

He brought with him electronic tagging system and shown residents how it worked.
Nearly 800 tags in Scotland are monitored 24/7 by G4S.

This is all part of Muirhouse Community Shop raising awareness of #StrongerNorth

Link to pictures here

Robert Pearson

Two face Court following Telford drug seizure

Two people have been charged under the Misuse of Drugs Act after police recovered Class B drugs at a property on Telford Road on Thursday. Amphetamine with a street value of around £3,500 and a substantial quantity of cannabis were recovered by officers during the intelligence-led raid.

A 28-year-old man and 22-year-old woman have been reported to the Procurator Fiscal and will appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in due course.

Inspector David Happs said: “Crucial intelligence and proactive policing has resulted in the removal of a significant quantity of drugs from the streets of Edinburgh. We will continue to use all the resources at our disposal to remove drugs from our communities.”

Anyone with information that can help police with their enquiries is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

#StrongerNorth: latest update

Click on the link below for the latest #StrongerNorth progress report:

Stronger North Update Feb 15

#StrongerNorth update: Young people and our community

#Stronger North: working with our young people

Work with primary aged children

As part of a new role created by Total Craigroyston Team, it was agreed that a youth worker would work in four of the local primary schools to deliver a programme called ‘Respect in the Community.’

The aim was to help primary aged children understand the importance of safety in the community, publicise all the activities that are available after school and help them make good choices about what they do with their time after school.

The youngsters make a map of their community in the first session, showing where many of the positive activities take place. They look at what makes a safe community for everyone and think about they can keep themselves safe as well as looking out for others.

At a later stage they have the opportunity to identify where they feel safe themselves or not. We’ve found that many of our primary children are very well aware of and have experienced some of the issues that make them feel unsafe.

A big part of the programme is helping children develop the skills to make good decisions especially where they might feel tempted by friends to take part in behaviour that causes distress to others. In small groups they think about developing a community campaign about combating anti-social behaviour and then present their ideas to their classmates.

The programme has gone down very well with P5, P6 and P7’s in Pirniehall and St David’s, has just started in Craigroyston Primary and will be starting very soon in Forthview.

Reward Scheme

We’ve developed a loyalty card so that youngsters who are positive participants in youth clubs and sports clubs can gather points and receive a reward. It will run until Easter to see if it will be successful. So far Ainslie Park Leisure Centre and Craigroyston Community High School has offered free swims for individuals and families and each of the youth organisations involved has agreed to run a special reward night for those involved.

Teenagers

As well as all the youth clubs and sports opportunities that are available in the community , we have developed some out of hours sessions for teenagers – offering them the opportunity to get involved in activities later at night in an effort to combat the idea that there is nothing to do. If these sessions go well then more can be offered. These activities are taking place in Spartans and Pilton Youth and Children’s Project.

Face North (above) is a special project, working with some of the young people who are involved in anti-social behaviour and so far we have been able to involve these young people in working at Towford, the bothy owned by My Adventure. To help get the Bothy ready for use by local groups and organisations they have helped with basic maintenance, cleared ground, laid paths, chopped down and replanted trees and completed some minor repairs. They have also painted the kitchen area in Pilton Youth and Children’s Project and will soon be doing some environmental work on the cycle path.

The Mentors in Violence Prevention Programme is being implemented in local High Schools as well as in the local community. This gives older young people the training and skills to work with younger ones and help them think through how they would handle a wide range of tricky incidents giving young people and the community the confidence to speak up against and challenge issues such as bullying or other types of anti-Social behaviour.

Sessions for parents will be run towards the end of February – look out for dates or contact Community Learning and Development worker Sarah Neal if you are interested in attending. Her number is 552 5700.

#StrongerNorth: Action Update

Steady progress on tackling community concerns

How has the #StrongerNorth initiative been performing?The latest figures, compiled at the end of January, are very encouraging:

Housing

• 17 housing enforcement actions taken against residents in response to behaviour

Including 13 warnings, 1 Final Warning, 1 Notice to Quit, 1 Notice of Proceedings for Recovery of Possession, 1 ASBO under consideration.

Offending

· 7 Young people identified and targeted due to offending (Police, Council, Social work etc)

· 3 charged as adults, 2 in Children’s Hearing system and 2 in court system (last four all reducing offending)

· 4 young people subject to Movement Restriction Condition

· 4 young people placed in secure accommodation in last 12 months (2 twice)

· Calls to Police have really reduced between October and December 2014 (209 to 119 calls)

· Reduction in offences committed by the most problematic young people – including a significant drop by one prolific housebreaker.

Youth Work

• Positive engagement over a number of weeks with group working on bothy at Towford

• Conversation cafe with Positive Prison organised for 30 January.

Employment and Training

• Employment experience and training programme developed by Council, Urban Union and Edinburgh College. First group ready to benefit.

Pre-School and School

• Respect programme expanded to Craigroyston and Forthview Primary Schools

• Youth Engagement Programme at Crewe Road Fire station – participants selected from Craigroyston Community High School.

Physical Improvements

• Community clean ups in backgreen at West Pilton Gardens/Crossway and roadside verge along Granton Mill well-attended.

West Pilton/West Granton Community Council

• Community payback team cut back bushes in West Pilton Park where motorbikes were being hidden.

Communications

• Regular daily tweets and 1,343 followers

• Over 230 Facebook likes.

Community activity

• Community survey planned to track community views about local action

• Tenants and Residents in Muirhouse #StrongerNorth campaign – Community Shop window display

• Weekly lunch time drop in sessions at Muirhouse Community Shop and Pilton Community Association flat – six week programme started 19 January

• Community feedback event 4 February.

Counterfeit goods seized in North Edinburgh raid

Counterfeit tobacco and alcohol confiscated in joint raids

Over £4500 worth of contraband goods were seized and one man was arrested following raids on premises in North and Central Edinburgh yesterday.

Detectives and police officers from the Search and Recovery Team worked with colleagues from Trading Standards, Imperial Tobacco, HMRC and Stirling Council in the operation.

The team carried out intelligence-led raids on on five shops – including one North Edinburgh convenience store – and recovered a ‘significant amount’ of counterfeit tobacco products and alcohol.

Illegal goods worth around £4500 were seized including around 70 litres of vodka and whisky valued at approximately £3000 and a large quantity of imported tobacco. A 29-year-old male was also arrested for an immigration offence.

DCI Stuart Houston, Edinburgh Division CID said: “Following intelligence, officers from Police Scotland, HMRC, Trading Standards, Imperial Tobacco and Stirling Council took part in a day of action targeting a number of commercial premises in Edinburgh.

“As a result, officers seized around £4500 worth of counterfeit goods and made one arrest in relation to an immigration offence.

“This follows a similar operation we led in December and we will continue to thoroughly investigate those who choose to ignore the law surrounding the sale of counterfeit goods.

“If anyone is aware of counterfeit goods being sold to the public then I ask them to contact police immediately on 101 or Crimestoppers.”

Two face Court following Pennywell drugs haul

Two men have been arrested and charged under the Misuse of Drugs Act after police in North Edinburgh recovered a large quantity of Class C drugs.

As part of Operation Quarterlight, officers conducted a search of a vehicle in Pennywell Road at around 2pm yesterday (Friday). Around 30,000 diazepam tablets were recovered and two men aged 25 and 20 were detained.

A further 400 diazepam tablets, a half kilo of cannabis and a quantity of other suspected stolen items were later recovered following a search of two addresses by police. The recovered drugs are valued at over £35,000.

Both men are scheduled to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday (26 January).

Inspector David Happs said: “This was a significant recovery of potentially harmful drugs, which have been seized before they could cause harm to our communities.

“Operation Quarterlight action continues across Edinburgh and in addition to identifying those responsible for vehicle crime, this initiative will assist us in targeting criminals using their vehicles for committing other crimes, such as the transportation of illegal drugs.

“Police Scotland is committed to tackling drug crime within our communities and will always act on information we receive from the public.

“Anyone wishing to report crimes of this nature in their local area can do so by calling on 101 or by making an anonymous report via the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Operation Quarterlight: Police target car criminals

Police Scotland launches Operation Quarterlight in Edinburgh

Police Scotland has launched Operation Quarterlight, a national campaign to tackle car crime and vehicle theft. The campaign will be implemented throughout Scotland to identify and target those responsible for vehicle break-ins and thefts.

Since November last year more than 70 vehicles have been stolen every week. In addition, each week, more than 230 vehicles have either been broken into or had items stolen from them having been left insecure.

Officers will focus on the prevention of vehicle crime by engaging with partners, key stakeholders and members of the public. By changing habits, and working in partnership, vehicle crime can be prevented.

Assistant Chief Constable Campbell Thomson said: “Police Scotland is committed to keeping people safe. Local policing is at the heart of all we do, and officers right across Scotland will be targeting criminals who commit car crime.

“Operation Quarterlight is about preventing vehicle crime, and targeting those responsible. I would say this directly to those intent on committing vehicle crime in Scotland – if you engage in such activity, we will use every resource at our disposal to trace you, arrest you and bring you to justice.”

Chief Superintendent Mark Williams, Edinburgh Divisional Commander said: “Car crime is a blight on local communities and we won’t tolerate it. Officers in the capital will be targeting those responsible and today’s activities are evidence of our commitment to tackling local issues.

“I would appeal to the public to work with us. Don’t make your car a target for crime; remove all your valuables and don’t leave them in sight; always secure your vehicle, never leave it unattended or with the keys still in the ignition.

“Don’t leave your keys anywhere they can be easily stolen – leaving them by a house door or hallway is a gift to criminals. Take some simple steps to change your habits and together we can better prevent crime.”

Detective Superintendent Yvonne Scott, deputy for Operation Quarterlight said: “Vehicle crime is not a new phenomenon, the community has for years experienced this type of crime. It is important as police officers that we continue to recognise the impact it has on people’s perception and fear of crime.

“It is also important to recognise that organised crime groups often focus their activity around the theft of high value vehicles often involving housebreakings.

“It is crucial that all intelligence in relation to perpetrators of vehicle crime is submitted onto the Scottish Intelligence database in order that we can build up a better intelligence picture throughout Scotland.”

Car crime has become an increasing problem once again across North Edinburgh over recent months and residents and community organisations have welcomed news of the initiative. The local Quarterlight team is made up of Sergeant and four officers covering the Drylaw, Pilton and Muirhouse areas.

To report car crime or vehicle theft, contact Police Scotland on 101, or where a crime is ongoing, call 999.

You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 if you have information regarding those involved in theft and vehicle crime.

#StrongerNorth campaign goes on display in Community Shop

Community Shop supports #StrongerNorth initiative

Information about the #StrongerNorth community safety initiative will go on display in Muirhouse Community Shop on Pennywell Road tomorrow and will be backed up by #StrongerNorth Monday sessions at the shop from next week.

Volunteers at Muirhouse Community Shop have created striking window displays to highlight a variety of different campaigns over recent months – Domestic Abuse, Environmental Services and the Independence Referendum have all been featured – and now #StrongerNorth will be in the spotlight.

Tenants organisation TRIM and Muirhouse Community shop is working closely with the #StrongerNorth team and will be welcoming key members of the team to the shop on Mondays from 19 January. Visitors can expect to meet local police officers, Total Craigroyston staff, the Stronger North Project Officer and members of North’s Community Safety team over the coming weeks.

A spokesperson for the community shop said: “We decide what we put in our shop window. We always feel it’s important that we keep it current and what a better way than to start with this? Stronger North was brought about after the residents told police and council we are fed up, things need to change and we want change now. A gold team was set up and meet often to discuss serious issues and a multiagency approach is being worked at. Things will not change overnight – Stronger North is still very new and with support from everyone we are confident it will make a big difference long term.”

For further information about #StrongerNorth call Fraser Sinclair on 529 5023, email stronger.north@edinburgh.gov.uk or visit the #StrongerNorth Facebook page.

Nowhere to hide after park cleanup

West Pilton Park has been cleaned up by a team of unpaid workers as part of the latest strand of the local anti-crime campaign, #StrongerNorth.

#StrongerNorth complements ongoing community safety measures but is a specifically targeted effort to deal with crime and to make the community a safer and more pleasant place to be. Involving police, the council and the local community, the #StrongerNorth initiative was set up in response to an escalation of antisocial behaviour in the area which culminated in the stabbing of a Chinese man last October.

West Pilton Park has now been tidied up by the Community Payback Order team, with overgrown weeds and trees trimmed to make it a more attractive resource for people to use and for them to feel safer while they do so.

Forth Councillor and community safety spokesperson Cammy Day said: “I’m really pleased with the work carried out to the park by the Community Payback team – it shows how simple things like clearing overgrown, unkempt areas can make places feel safer and less intimidating.

“This is a continuation of all the good work being carried out as part of #StrongerNorth and follows the recent community clean-ups, which led to several tonnes of rubbish being removed.

“There is a real sense of community amongst the people living in the area and the goal of #StrongerNorth is to capture that feeling and to take actions like these that deal with the problems people have raised with us.”

Inspector David Happs said: “#StrongerNorth is a key local priority for Police Scotland. We are fully supportive of the work undertaken by the Community Payback Team and we applaud efforts by Edinburgh Council to improve community safety in the Forth area.

“We are also pleased to see this enhancement to the local environment and believe it to be a key part of the Stronger North initiative. By clearing away this undergrowth, it will make the area significantly safer and it will hinder the disposal of stolen vehicles.”