Police ward off hundreds of 'loud and drunk' youths in Edinburgh Meadows as illegal gatherings continue

Officers are dispersing a crowd of ‘hundreds’ of ‘loud and drunk’ young people threatening police in the Meadows tonight as illegal gathering issues in the Edinburgh hot spot continue.

Footage shows Police Scotland officers walking towards large crowds in the meadows at around 7pm tonight, March 30.

Anna Koslerova who was jogging past the area at around 7.30pm said: “I saw there was a police car driving up through the meadows from Tollcross and I could see three more police cars in the distance.

"They were going towards just a huge group of people in the Meadows aged 13-18- there were hundreds of people.

Police can seen approaching the crowd in a line formation as illegal gatherings continue in the meadows (Photo: Anna Koslerova).

"Everyone was drinking and playing loud music- everyone was loud, drunk or at least tipsy and messing about.

"Nobody was wearing masks and people were in big groups of six to ten- there was no sort of social distancing going on.

"There was plastic from wrappers and packaging all over the ground- I’m pretty sure there is going to be a huge mess left to clean up.”

"The police were getting out of the cars and there were about six of them and they were walking in a line towards this huge swarm of people and as they were walking towards them the people started dispersing in different directions, not everybody but quite a few."

Young people gathering across the Meadows (Photo: Anna Koslerova).

Ms Koslerova also noted that some in the group were showing aggressive behaviour by threatening police officers and trying to hijack police vehicles.

She added: "I also saw a few kids trying to get into the police cars as they left to disperse the crowds- just grabbing the handles of the doors.

"Two boys were also running after the police and harassing them.

"As I ran towards the main group, these three kids came towards me as I was taking pictures and called me a freak."

Officers attend the scene (Photo: Anna Koslerova).

Police Scotland confirmed that they received reports of a large number of youths gathering in the Meadows this evening and currently have officers at the scene.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "We have received reports of a large number of youths gathering in the Meadows, Edinburgh, this evening.

"Officers are in attendance.

"The groups are being dispersed and suitable advice given."

The news follows previous incidents of illegal gatherings in the Meadows in the past couple of weeks.

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