Community Safety
Useful Contacts Police 0131 311 3131 (non emergency)
Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 (24 hr)
City Council 0131 200 2000 (24 hr)
Council Noise Department 0131 529 3030 (office hours) (call the number above if out of hours) |
A number of community safety concerns were raised in a meeting in March and again in July with PC Burt, Community Beat Officers for Edinburgh City Centre based at the West End Police Station. Much of the following is a summary of the responses from these meetings.
Police
Police activity is directly connected to the number of complaints they receive. Currently 7 calls per week will trigger an escalated response. The volume of calls can offer a better picture for police so we should always call even if we think police will not respond.
All calls to police (including 999) are received by a call-centre. These are graded as follows:
Grade 1 – emergency
Grade 2 – immediate attendance
Grade 3 – as soon as possible
Grade 4 – discretionary
Grade 5 – resolution without deployment
All calls are logged on a computer system STORM. At the time of calling: we should ask how our call will be graded and for the STORM incident number (useful if calling subsequently about same issue).
You can request that you don't want to be visited by officers if you wish.
Crimestoppers is an independent charity and is 100% confidential but your complaint will go to the police immediately. Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 (24 hr)
1) Begging
In the early '90s the by-law enabling police to move beggars on was rescinded so police can only move beggars on if they are aggressive, blocking the pavement or within 50 yards of a cash machine. If you see this happening phone the police: 0131 311 3131 (non emergency)
As there is no by-law to prohibit begging. If we wanted the police to have powers to move beggars then we should lobby our local councillors. Often begging can be associated with drug trafficking in an area.
2) Drug use and dealing
Police can act here but we need to report every incidence. Even if they've left the area the new CCTV cameras are very clear and dealers/users can be traced. If you see this happening phone the police: 0131 311 3131(non emergency)
3) Alcohol and anti-social behaviour
Most of the anti-social behaviour in the area is associated with the “night-time economy”. Police are able to give an on-the-spot fine of £40 and this has been running for about a year. Public urination can be tackled through these fines and we should report it as and when it happens. If there is excessive noise or damage, call the police. Noisy limos etc can be moved on if they're creating a disturbance, people causing damage and/or disturbance can also be traced on CCTV. If you see this happening phone the police: 0131 311 3131 (non emergency)
4) Noise
Licensing regulations state that amplified music must not be audible outside the premises. If you can hear music from any venue, call the Noise Control Officers at the Council immediately. They need to hear the noise in your flat (not measure it, just be audible) before they can act. Sometimes they can take 20 minutes or more to arrive so call as soon as the noise starts to make sure they get there in time to hear.
There is little point in calling the police as they will only refer ypou to the Council and their council's noise and anti-social behaviour policy.
Noise and anti-social behaviour is the Council's concern. You can access officers at any time by calling Council Noise Department 0131 529 3030 (office hours) or City Council 0131 200 2000 (24 hr)
You can contact your councillors at any time about an issue which concerns you. Remember: they need our votes to stay in office.
5) Drugs:
Report suspected drug related issues to PC Burt. By letting him know, an intelligence picture can be built which can be used by police to secure a warrant to raid a home or arrest a suspect. Information is sanitized so that members of the public are not identifiable. Landlords are encouraged to take action against tenants who are convicted of drug dealing.
6) Licensing
Smokers congregating outside Western & Grassmarket Bars, blocking pavements, drinking in the street and creating excessive noise. These incidents should be reported to PC Burt who can then inform the licensing officer (PC Archie Robb). 0131 311 3131 (non emergency)