Pentland Hills talks after attack on OAP water bailiff

The assault on a 70-year-old bailiff, who suffered severe facial injuries after an attack by local yobs, follows concerns over camping, parking and refuse, including soiled toilet paper and ladies underwear plus tents and hundreds of cans and bottles, left lying in the park in recent weeks.

Local SNP Councillor Neil Gardiner, convenor of Edinburgh City Council’s planning committee and convenor of Pentland Hills Regional Park joint committee, has called the meeting.

He said: “The Pentland Hills Regional Park gives pleasure to many day visitors. Camping which causes vandalism is illegal, causing damage to trees and the environment.

“I have spoken to the police who carry out patrols with parks staff and I had requested that the police response is increased to reflect the situation occurring on the ground and that they take appropriate measures to prevent illegal activity.”

He added that the reservoirs are deep and potentially dangerous.

Councillor Gardiner continued: “A member of the public was seriously assaulted in a cowardly attack, which is completely unacceptable. I spoke to the victim on Friday.

“This assault is being investigated by the police and the whole community requires assurance that the perpetrators will be brought to justice.”

He confirmed that the meeting will involve all local councillors, police officers, representatives from Balerno Community Council, Balerno Village Trust, Malleny Angling Ltd, local farmers and the parks service and it will consider what measures can be taken to protect the park for lawful use.

Councillor Gardiner, who represents the Pentland Hills ward, said the parks service was working on proposals for the future of the park which has become a magnet for people from a wide area post-lock down.

David Ogg, chairman of Angling Scotland added: “I was shocked and dismayed to hear that a water bailiff has been seriously assaulted at Harlaw. Our sport and the wider environment is helped greatly by the efforts of such unsung heroes.

“Violence in any form is unacceptable, but to be inflicted on such a community-minded individual is wholly reprehensible. The whole Scottish angling community joins me in wishing our friend every good wish for a speedy recovery. Our thoughts are with this gentleman and his family.”

Problems at Harlaw and Threipmuir have been spotlighted by Balerno Community Council for some time and chairman Richard Henderson said the situation had deteriorated.

He said: “This is a shocking incident and we would expect it to be taken very seriously by the police and the city. The assault is on a wholly different level and demands serious attention. The whole Community Council will be shocked by the news.”