Taking a fresh look at tackling crime in city’s north-east

Having recently taken over from Chief Inspector Mairi Creanor as the Local Area Commander for the North East of Edinburgh I am keen to understand better the diverse communities based in the area as well as crime trends and challenges to maximise the support and service we provide.

I hope to engage with local elected representatives and councillors to ensure that where possible, issues and concerns are recognised and considered when identifying priorities.

With over 18 years Police Service, I have worked in a variety of different roles including CID and PPU primarily in Edinburgh. This exposure to various specialist areas of Policing has developed my understanding of tools, tactics and strategies which I hope will benefit me and those working with me. This is a new role to me, and one which I am very much looking forward to undertaking.

Since starting, I have been hugely impressed by those working in the area and particularly the ongoing partnership work being undertaken. The drive and determination to make a positive difference by the local community teams supported by other departments and agencies is impressive and something I am keen to support. Forward planning and development of initiatives and events are well underway for the year ahead and is something I hope will be well received in the local communities.

Having received feedback about concerns in respect of speeding and manner of driving on and around Restlarig Avenue, Edinburgh, the National Motorcycle Unit provided support for an evening of action in the area. The support of our Roads Policing colleagues in this area along with their assistance around the Be Bright Be Seen initiative which sees events throughout the city and targeting of antisocial driving and illegal use of e-bikes and scooters is greatly appreciated.

The prevalence of weapon possession, particularly knives, is something which continues to rise and causes significant concern. Officers deployed in uniform and plain clothes are proactively targeting this issue with a number of nominals already arrested and charged for such offences.

Finally, I would like to highlight the ongoing hard work and dedication of officers in response Policing, especially coming out the back of a busy festive period. While many enjoy valuable, quality time with family and friends, front line officers work tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of the public is maintained.

It would also be remis of me not to recognise and celebrate the contributions of our North East Support Team (NEST), which is a a specialized group of volunteer Special Constables based at Leith Police Station, focusing on crime disruption, community engagement, and supporting regular officers in North East Edinburgh

The value that our voluntary police officers bring to the service is immeasurable and those who work within NEST devote considerable hours each month, all on their own time, to ensure that the communities within the North East receive a professional and dedicated policing response each day.

I hope to build upon the substantial work undertaken by my predecessor and hopefully build and garner wider support to tackle issues and criminality in the wider area. As Local Area Commander, I acknowledge that policing is a job which relies on public consent and with that in mind, I seek to work with the public and communities to maximise safety and trust.

Chief Inspector Alison MacDonald, Local Area Commander, North East Edinburgh