‘Yellow card’ to be shown to anti-social buskers

Edinburgh buskers will be shown a yellow card, face fines and could have their equipment seized as part of a new two-strike initiative designed to curb “anti-social” performances in the city centre.

It is hoped the system will mute disruptive buskers in the city through an initial warning followed by a fixed penalty notice of £40 if they continue to annoy residents.

Police Scotland say the scheme, launched yesterday with the backing of City of Edinburgh Council, supports “responsible” buskers who stick to rules banning the use of amplification devices and restricting performances to before 9pm.

However, they warned musicians who flout the new system risk having their equipment taken away.

City centre Inspector David Robertson said: “We have dozens of responsible buskers who come to Edinburgh to entertain the crowds, but it is those who cause disruption and annoyance who we are showing the yellow card to.

“It’s not fair on those living, staying or working in the city centre to be disrupted and we receive a considerable amount of complaints.”