I Manage a Student Accommodation site near to the Meadows and have been helping the police with their inquiry following the young woman who was attacked at around 7am on the 15th of November. We have CCTV cameras facing Sciennes and they were trying to establish which direction the attacker had come from.
I asked the Police about CCTV cameras in the Meadows park and was astounded by their response- that any suggestion of better lighting, cutting back trees and installing CCTV cameras was met with huge opposition from some local residents who are concerned with preserving the area.
I wanted to check my facts so got in touch with the South Community Office and spoke to the Parks Officer who confirmed that there are no CCTV cameras on the walkways or in the park. He confirmed that there has been local concern about preserving the area and conservation. He also said that there have been issues with funding for CCTV cameras and lighting.
Having spoken to Police Officers regarding this, they are all strongly of the opinion that CCTV cameras and better lighting would act as a deterrent, greatly increase security and help them with their investigations. Currently they are relying on footage from local businesses, nowhere near the Meadows to try and get any information they can.
The Meadows is an area which links the city to the student area- men and woman are at risk walking to and from home, work and University and people should feel safe walking through the park. Given the history of attacks over the decades I would have thought that opposition would be overruled and cuts made elsewhere by the council to raise funding.

Please sign this petition, say why it's important to you and share with friends and family to put pressure on Edinburgh City Council to make these changes.

Thank you.

Elizabeth