Police warn people not to gather at Portobello beach and Pentland Hills as patrols continue in local beauty spots

Police in Edinburgh have warned people not to gather at popular beauty spots around the Capital to stop spread of coronavirus.
Police are aware of a number of vehicles being parked near beauty spots such as the Pentland Hills and Portobello over the weekendPolice are aware of a number of vehicles being parked near beauty spots such as the Pentland Hills and Portobello over the weekend
Police are aware of a number of vehicles being parked near beauty spots such as the Pentland Hills and Portobello over the weekend

The police noted that over the weekend a large numbers of vehicles were parked and people gathered in popular areas including Portobello and in the Pentland Hills Regional Park.

While patrols continue in the local areas, the police have encouraged people to remain at home to prevent the spread of the virus.Chief Inspector Scott Richardson of Police Scotland’s Edinburgh City Division, said: "While I appreciate people want to make the most of exercising outdoors, I ask that courtesy and respect is shown for the area and its residents. Please be mindful about road access and park responsibly and safely to ensure a clear route is available at all times."I fully recognise the impact the restrictions are having on people’s lives. However, it is clear that significant sacrifices are vital to help suppress the spread of coronavirus."The Chief Constable has made it clear that our approach throughout the pandemic has not changed. Police Scotland officers will continue to support people to follow the regulations and encourage them to take personal responsibility."People should not leave their homes unless for essential purposes and the best way to stay safe is to stay at home."We have been carrying out patrols in affected areas to monitor parking, explain the regulations and to encourage people to do the right thing. Where officers encounter wilful breaches they will act decisively to enforce the law."

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this article. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by coronavirus impacts our advertisers.

If you haven't already, please consider supporting our trusted, fact-checked journalism by taking out a digital subscription.