Leader comment: Listen to warnings but keep calm and carry on

A day after we reported how Edinburgh's Hogmanay celebrations 'tick all the boxes' for a terror attack, we have news that Fringe organisers considered the event was a 'soft target' in the past.

It emerged that performers even threatened to pull out of this year’s Festival before security was beefed up in the Capital.

While it is right that such warnings are given public attention we must also be sure to continually stress what a safe city Edinburgh is in which to live, work and visit.

The UK terror alert remains at severe which means an attack is “highly likely” but there is no specific intelligence of any threat to the Capital.

We should all be aware of the warnings and in particular the advice to report anything which is suspicious or out of place, but let’s also be reassured that everything possible is being done to keep us all safe.

Christmas and Hogmanay in Edinburgh is a magical time of year and there is no reason to believe this year will be anything less than the best yet.

Yes listen to the advice from the police and be aware of the warnings as you would when visiting any capital city, but then carry on as normal.