Our focus is on road safety at school this Easter
As Local Area Commander for the North West of Edinburgh, I have focused on enhancing road safety, particularly as we approach the Easter holidays when many more of us, including young people, may be using the road network.
Over the last three weeks, Community Policing Team officers have been supporting primary schools in the region, with an enhanced presence at school drop-off and pick-up times to encourage safe parking and considerate driving.
Our aim is to work with all schools in the North West over the coming weeks to raise awareness of road safety matters with school staff, parents, pupils and motorists who regularly drive through school zones. In addition to improving road safety, another priority for my officers is tackling organised crime and we have been conducting numerous intelligence-led searches at properties in the area to disrupt their activities and dismantle drug dealing operations. This proactivity has seen various Class A, B and C substances seized before they could do untold harm within our communities, with various individuals reported to the Procurator Fiscal.
We remain committed to targeting organised criminals in the North West and the public have a vital role to play in this respect by contacting us to report suspected criminal activity in their community. This can be done by calling us on 101 or by making an anonymous report to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Tackling disorder and antisocial behaviour that can undermine communitywellbeing remains a one of my key commitments and a recent example of such activity involved entrenched youth issues and shoplifting from retail centres within the Craigleith, Granton and Pilton areas.
Robust enforcement has been carried out and several youths were identified and charged. We supported this enforcement with engagement with the businesses affected, resulting in the introduction of preventive measures such as anti-theft display cabinets and enhanced CCTV and security monitoring.
I’m pleased to report these incidents have drastically reduced and we are working alongside partners to engage those involved in restorative justice programmes, allowing them to reflect on their behaviour and encouraging more positive life choices going forward.
We are continually looking to improve and shape our service to meet community needs and your feedback helps. Have your say at www.scotland.police.uk and follow our local X account @PSOSNWEdinburgh for the latest updates on our work.