Blended approach helps to crack housebreaking crime

Police in South East Edinburgh have targeted housebreakiing

I started as South East Local Area Commander just as the impact and implications of Covid-19 were beginning to be understood, and while some of our policing processes and practices have changed as a consequence, our commitment to our communities has remained steadfast.

It’s hard to believe, but I have already been in post for five months, and I am going to unashamedly use this column to update you on our efforts in addressing housebreaking and acquisitive crime, road safety matters and anti-social behaviour, all previously identified as areas of concern by local residents.

Starting with housebreaking and acquisitive crime, utilising a blended approach, which has included plain clothes patrols and the assistance of road policing colleagues, we have successfully targeted localised housebreaking and thefts from sheds and garages.

Pedal cycles remain the item of choice. Focused on prevention and to increase the likelihood of the bike being returned to you, if stolen, I would encourage you to take a picture of your bike, have it security marked and note any other identifying features.

There may also be merit in reviewing the security of your shed and/or garage to seek to ‘target harden’ wherever possible. Seeking to support you, our Divisional Prevention, Intervention and Partnership officers recently posted some helpful advice on shed security and it you haven’t viewed it already, I recommend that you do so at www.facebook.com/watch/?v=737340433664752

I know that road safety matters remain an area of concern and local officers have undertaken multiple road checks and speed checks across our locality area, again with considerable success.

More recently, uniformed pedal cycle patrols have facilitated engagement with local cyclists, not forgetting Operation Close Pass, which seeks to educate drivers on how to safely pass a pedal cyclist.

It may be helpful to know, that when passing a cyclist in a vehicle, a distance of at least a car’s width (1.5 metres) should be maintained or more, if passing at a higher speed. Often, this means waiting a safe distance until there is a suitable amount of space to safely pass.

My officers and I will not tolerate any form of anti-social behaviour. We are really fortunate to have so many parks and open spaces within the South East area including the Meadows, and while the vast majority of residents and visitors enjoy these areas responsibly, regrettably this is not always the case.

Over recent weeks there have been instances of anti-social behaviour, which includes groups of young people congregating and acting in an aggressive and disorderly manner. As a consequence of their behaviour, a number of individuals are now the subject of enforcement measures.

Please be assured that we will continue to pro-actively work with our partners, including the City of Edinburgh Council, and our communities to address these behaviours within the Meadows and elsewhere, thereby ensuring that we can all collectively enjoy these areas safely.

In closing, I wish to highlight some ongoing work within Burdiehouse, Moredun and Gracemount. Some of you may well have noticed a heightened police presence within these areas over recent days. This signals the start of a program of community policing activity to raise awareness around the harm caused by serious organised crime.

It goes without saying that the negative ripple caused by these individuals and their criminal activities not only includes the vulnerable individuals that they target, but pervades generations, families and the wider communities and I would urge you not let these remorseless individuals hide in plain sight among you.

Should you have any information in relation to any of the matters outlined, I would encourage you to either contact us locally via 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Chief Inspector Sam Ainslie is Local Area Commander for South East Edinburgh

Blended approach helps to crack housebreaking crime – Chief Inspector Sam Ainslie