Police engagement on rules has been wholly positive – Chief Inspector Sam Ainslie

Edinburgh has an international reputation for iconic sites, cultural events and hospitality, and having recently started as South East Local Area Commander, my first column would, in different times, have focused around ongoing planning and preparations to meet the demands placed on the police and our partners during the upcoming summer period of events.

However, rather than anticipating our well choreographed influx of tourists, I wish to begin by highlighting what we have been doing locally to support the national efforts to combat the coronavirus.

You may have noticed officers undertaking foot, mobile and cycle patrols across the city and these dedicated patrols will continue. In addition to providing reassurance and a visible presence, this allows us to engage, explain and encourage alignment with Scottish Government guidance to stay at home and physically distance when exercising.

I am sincerely grateful for the obvious co-operation and commitment of the majority, being all the more commendable, given the recent good weather and the accessibility and number of green open spaces within the city. That said, disappointingly, despite clear guidance and the best efforts of officers, there have been occasions where individuals have chosen not to adhere. Whilst this has resulted in the use of enforcement measures, thankfully this has been the exception, with most engagement being wholly positive in nature.

As widely reported, the pandemic has and continues to present dynamic challenges across all public services, however, please be reassured, that we in South and East, remain committed to supporting the priorities of our local communities, as previously highlighted by you, and in that regard, we are actively progressing work to combat drug related activity and supply, housebreakings, thefts from motor vehicles, sheds and garages and negative driving behaviours.

We have recorded small rises in housebreakings and thefts from vehicles, shed and garages, and being acutely aware of the negative impact of these opportunistic crimes, we have proactively embedded heightened targeted patrols, also drawing on the expertise and experience of specialist crime prevention resources. As a snapshot, please remember to lock the windows and doors of your homes, sheds and garages and place valuables, whether that be vehicle keys, laptops or bikes, out of view. Similarly, in relation to thefts from vehicles, please ensure that the vehicle is secure and that you take any valuables with you, where possible. This may seem overly simple, however, routine practice can sometimes be forgotten.

On the road safety theme, officers have had recent success with static road checks, and with the roads being quieter due to the ongoing restrictions, this activity will be further enhanced with speed checks and patrols by our Road Policing colleagues.

In closing, I think it’s important to highlight that regardless of the current challenges, Edinburgh Division remain resolute in ensuring public safety and wellbeing, and whilst we are living during uncertain times, collective effort, resilience and community pride are abundantly evident in my short time here and I look forward to working with you to ensure that our local communities are best served.

To support me in doing so, I would encourage all residents to continue to contact us to report suspected criminality and relevant concerns. Information can also be passed to local officers, to Police Scotland via 101 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, and as ever, we will continue to post policing updates via @EdinPolSE Twitter account.

Chief Inspector Sam Ainslie is the South East Local Area Commander