Covid causes a new set of police concerns - Chief Inspector Scott Richardson

I think what has also been striking about this time is the way we have seen communities come together to support those requiring additional assistance because of Covid-19.

Since the outset of the restrictions, Police Scotland has seen a very different set of demands and we have had to adapt quickly, responding to community concerns and changing crime demographics.

Some examples included an increased number of visitors to The Pentland Hills Regional Park, an unforeseen consequence of initial restrictions and subsequent relaxation. However, it caused concern around an increase in littering and anti-social behaviour.

This includes those who are camping with little regard for the local environment or wildlife, leaving litter, causing damage to trees and lighting fires. It has to be noted that this was not only a local issue, the picture nationally highlighted similar community concerns across the country.

Responding to these concerns a Multi-Agency Operation was put in place by the Community Policing Team with the primary objectives being to prevent further instances of irresponsible use of the Pentland Hills Regional Park, educate users of the park regarding their responsibilities and enforce legislation. As a result of the Operation numerous campsites were engaged with and dispersals carried out where appropriate. Work is ongoing with our colleagues in Edinburgh City Council and Pentland Hills Rangers Service to look at longer term solutions for the area.Another area of focus for us was break-ins.

During lockdown the number of houses broken into reduced due to a number of factors. However an increase of break-ins to sheds and garages was seen across the city, in particular pedal cycles were targeted. In response a dedicated team of officers has recently been set up under Operation Agora to investigate these and disposal routes of the stolen property. Although they have only been in place for a few weeks, the team have made a number of arrests relating to 30 crimes and recovered £33,500 worth of stolen property.

You can find more advice around garage and shed security by visiting Police Scotland website and following links to ‘Keep Safe’ and ‘Home and Personal Property’.

Looking forwarded we are finalising plans for both Halloween and November 5th with partners. Although community events will look very different this year, if they go ahead at all. However we will still be focussing on the Anti-Social Behaviour around fireworks, which we have unfortunately experienced in previous years. We will still have increased patrols and will be focussing on both preventative and enforcement activities. Bonfire night is not an excuse for this type of behaviour and full details of our operation will be issued in due course.

Scotland’s National Hate Crime awareness week commenced on Saturday 10th October 2020 and in Edinburgh Division we will be supporting this with partners from across the protected characteristics; Disability, Race, Religion, Sexual Orientation and Transgender Identity.

Our Prevention, Interventions and Partnership department will be delivering events, engagements and various activities to focus on the promotion of the campaign and raise awareness of the methods of reporting.

These will take place in open public spaces across the city and conducted in adherence with current Scottish Government Guidelines in relation to COVID-19. If you see them please feel free to go and have a chat with the officers and our partners.

I would just like to finish off by again thanking the vast majority of our communities that continue to adhere to the Public Health Guidelines and the sacrifices this involves. Despite the impact it has on us personally and as a service, we will continue to be there when we are needed.

Chief Inspector Scott Richardson is Local Area Commander for South West Edinburgh