UPDATE: Statement from Police Scotland

Dear supporters, 

Thank you for signing the petition and help raising awareness about the special situation the Portobello Promenade is in during the warmer months, particularly on school and public holidays.

It is reassuring to see that you can make a difference in your community by contacting your representatives. The contact details for our Councillors and MSP and Police force are easily accessible for all. Media interest from both local and national newspapers and TV stations showed that together we can make our voice heard. 

I would like to thank Councillor Kate Campbell and MSP Ash Regan as well as their Office members Lucy Napier and Lynne Lyon for swiftly taking action and contacting the relevant officers.

I would like to share the statement from PS Samantha Rose, the new community Sergeant for Craigmillar Police station about measures the Police are taking:

"Hello Daniel,

My names Sam and I am the new community Sergeant for Craigmillar Police Station.

I hear everything you are saying with regards to the recent antisocial behaviour. In answer to your questions;

1. Increased Police Presence: Deploy additional officers to patrol the Promenade during school holidays and weekends to deter potential offenders and reassure the community.
A: Each week I check the weather for the coming weekends and should it be a warmer weekend I do reach out for further resources to patrol Portobello. Portobello is a default patrol area, and what that means is, our Community, Response, Traffic and our OSD colleagues will revert back to Portobello at every possible moment. This doesn’t take away from the dedicated patrols that we also have in place. To reassure you, since March we have been planning the summer months, particularly through the school holidays.

2. Community Engagement: Initiate dialogue with local residents to understand their concerns and collaborate on effective solutions.
I am aware of the local Community Council where issues such as these are discussed. Police Officers also attend. 

3. Preventative Measures: Work with local authorities to implement strategies aimed at preventing such incidents, including youth engagement programs and improved lighting in the area.
As I mentioned, planning for this summer started in March and consists of identifying resources for patrols, regular check in meetings with partners and third sector such as City of Edinburgh Council, Lothian buses, CAP, SFRS, local schools to name a few, to ensure we are all working together in the same direction, and offering support where needed, also school talks, licencing checks, and diversionary projects. The youth engagement/diversionary projects have been running since end of last year and progress through to end of this year. Some of the current youth initiatives are, Pitchin in, Punchin up, TikTok Kooking, summer circuits, and we are currently planning a youth sports day which will encourage healthy life choices and employability providing pathways into sports, exercise, healthy living, armed forces etc
I have walkabouts planned with CEC over the coming weeks and months to check the area, update each other, identify any issues and also be available for members of the public to speak with us about any concerns or offer ideas."

Apart from one newspaper interview early on I declined further media interest since it was not my intention to generalize, simplify or overstate the situation (or have my face in the media in the first place). I am grateful to live in such a great community and I generally do feel very safe in my neighborhood. But the reception and momentum this petition gained quickly shows that there are many of us concerned and willing to take action to preserve safety and communal spirit. 

 

Thank you all again. Lets keep Porty safe and keep looking out for one another.

Daniel