Meadows: Edinburgh police prepare for further weekend of anti-social behaviour at city park as they increase visibility patrols

Police in Edinburgh will increase patrols in the Meadows this weekend to deal with a spike in anti-social behaviour in recent weeks.

Police will increase patrols at the Meadows this weekend following anti-social behaviour (Photo: Anna Koslerova).

The high visibility patrols will be increased across the Capital, however, will be especially prominent in the Meadows area following ‘unacceptable’ behaviour.

The news comes after a teenager was charged following an attack of a 22-year-old man in the beauty spot on Saturday after a string of violent incidents in the area.

Violence, littering, public urination and breaching of coronavirus restrictions were all reported at the Meadows last weekend.

Chief Superintendent Sean Scott of Edinburgh Police Division said: “Following ongoing issues with disorder in areas in Edinburgh, we are planning extra high visibility patrols this weekend.

“This is in direct response to the anti-social behaviour we have seen in recent weeks in our green spaces, but especially the Meadows area, which has been completely unacceptable.”

Police in Edinburgh have said the increased patrol operation this weekend will provide targeted enforcement in areas which have become ‘an issue to disrupt anyone intent on causing trouble.’

Chief Superintendent Scott added: “ I want to make it clear, this behaviour will not be tolerated, and indeed a number of individuals have now been arrested and charged for various offences connected to last weekend’s incidents.”

Police are working closely with Edinburgh City Council to tackle the issue of antisocial behaviour both in the immediate future and long-term.

A ‘Meadows summit’ is set to be held on Friday this week, as community leaders look to find a solution to the ‘appalling behaviour.’

Daniel Johnson, the Labour candidate for the Edinburgh Southern seat in May’s Scottish parliament election, and Edinburgh South MP Ian Murray, are hosting an online meeting on Friday April 6.

Urging people to remember coronavirus rules, Superintendent Scott added: “The coronavirus regulations have had a significant impact on our lives and I would like to thank the vast majority of people who are sticking to the rules and doing the right thing to avoid the spread of the virus as we move through the easing of restrictions.

“Our approach throughout the pandemic has been to engage with the public, explain the legislation and encourage compliance, but we will not hesitate to use our enforcement powers as a last resort."

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