Teenagers charged after protests against sex offenders held in Midlothian towns
Protests have been held in Dalkeith, Penicuik and Bonnyrigg
Two teenagers have been charged after sex offender protests were held across Midlothian over the past week.
The boys, aged 17 and 14, have been charged in connection with a disturbance at Pavilion Court in Penicuik on Monday, July 27.
Other protests were also held in Dalkeith and Bonnyrigg, with a chief inspector saying the protests “focused on registered sex offenders and people perceived to be sex offenders.”
Retrospective enquiries are ongoing into other incidents including vandalism to cars and properties.
Chief Inspector Gordon Couper said: “We recognise the concern and distress these incidents have caused to residents in Midlothian. Our role is to ensure public safety, responding proportionally to any incidents that happen and minimise disruption.
“Recent protests have focused on registered sex offenders and people perceived to be sex offenders.
“Our approach to policing these events remains unchanged. Campaigning and peaceful protests are legitimate in a democratic society. We recognise and uphold the right of individuals to express their views lawfully and to protest peacefully,
“However, there is a clear distinction between lawful protest and criminal behaviour. We are not opposed to peaceful protest; we are committed to preventing crime. Violence, disorder, hate crime and threatening and abusive behaviour that places others at risk are not forms of protest and will be dealt with appropriately.”
He added that there are processes in place to deal with and manage registered sex offenders - processes which are negatively impacted by vigilante style posts and actions.
He said: “Registered sex offenders are managed robustly and effectively through Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements, known as MAPPA. These arrangements provide a comprehensive response to a complex issue, using professional assessment and risk management.
"'Outing’ registered sex offenders on social media or physically confronting them significantly affects the ability of police and partners to manage risk effectively. It also undermines the measures already in place to protect the public.
“It also requires additional policing resources, reducing our ability to respond quickly and effectively to other calls for assistance from local communities.
“Policing in Scotland has strong relationships with the public and we are grateful for the ongoing support of our communities.”