Capital MP praises police for stopping ‘drunk’ youths entering the Meadows
An Edinburgh MP has praised the police for stopping drunk youths entering the Meadows – with alcohol consumption still banned in outdoor public places and called for a “zero tolerance” to public urination and defecation in the park.
Ian Murray, Labour MP for Edinburgh South, said last Saturday he counted 26 police officers at the park as one local inspector told him people were being taken home by police after being apprehended there. Mr Murray spoke during a virtual public meeting held on Friday to address recent antisocial behaviour and violence at the Meadows.
During the discussion, local residents highlighted concerns about a lack of consequences for people urinating and defecating in the Meadows – and in their gardens.
It is hoped portaloos will be brought in by the middle of next week and extra CCTV could be fitted to lamp posts in addition to the council surveillance van already in place. Labour Edinburgh Southern candidate Daniel Johnson, chairing the meeting, said the option of opening public toilets beyond 8pm will also be explored.
Mr Murray thanked the police and Edinburgh City Council for their actions last weekend and said a local inspector indicated to him there would be a high police visibility at the Meadows for several weeks.
Mr Murray said: “Several young people coming in drunk were apprehended at the top of George Square and they (police) were taking people home too, many to Bonnyrigg and Dalkeith. The atmosphere at the Meadows last Saturday seemed a lot better.
“I counted 26 police officers and you had police on the
street. We need to keep that up for the short term to send the message that people can not congregate and fight.
“The biggest issue we have got now is people using Meadow’s Lane as a toilet. A zero tolerance approach on that issue will send the message it’s not acceptable.
“The test of this will be when
the sun shines and the heat comes on but I hope the message will already be sent out.
Drinking alcohol in outdoor publicplaceshasbeenbanned since mid January for parts of Scotland under tier four restrictions. Covid measures are expected to ease on April 26, with all of Scotland hopefully moving into level three,
but it remains unclear if the alcohol ban will be lifted at this point.
Pictures taken by the Edinburgh Evening News on Friday shows signs have been installed at the Meadows to reinforce the message that consuming alcohol there is illegal – but it is understood some of those have already
been stolen. During Friday’s meeting, a number of residents voiced their worries about how antisocial behaviour will be deterred and handled when the weather warms up in the coming weeks and the alcohol ban is lifted. Resident Clare Hewitt said: “There will be a lot more drinking on the Meadows, and therefore
a lot more public urination.”
Several residents said they want to see tougher consequences for those publicly urinating or defecating. One, Brenda Wlliamson, said: “If we want a solution, is it not that they have to be punished for what they do?”