Edinburgh region ranked second for number of illegal house parties in Scotland

A region of Edinburgh has recorded the second-highest number of police callouts for illegal house parties in Scotland, new data reveals.

The figures, obtained by BBC Scotland, show that, between August and November this year, officers were called to break up unlawful gatherings 247 times in Edinburgh South East.

By this measurement, the region of the Capital was second only to Glasgow North East, with 410 callouts over the same period, in the entire country.

Announcing the new powers for officers this summer, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said they were essential to make sure the public followed social distancing restrictions consistently.

A region of Edinburgh has recorded the second-highest number of police callouts for illegal house parties in Scotland, new data reveals. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

In total, Police Scotland have been called to nearly 5,000 gatherings across Scotland.

Officers have issued more than 2,000 fines and made 279 arrests for breaches of the new coronavirus rules.

Police records also highlighted concerns about the use of social media to promote large-scale illegal parties.

In Edinburgh, organisers advertised the location of a party, which was eventually broken up by police, on social media 24 hours before it started.

Meanwhile, Forth Valley police were alerted to an on-going party near Bonnybridge which had been advertised on social media. Officers found a 48-seater bus and more than 100 attendees at the event.

Deputy Chief Constable Malcolm Graham said: "Where officers encounter wilful and persistent breaches they will act decisively to enforce the law - this includes consideration of serious charges including culpable and reckless conduct.

"The chief constable has repeatedly underlined that house parties and relatively small gatherings can have a significant influence on spreading the virus and are not permitted."

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