Fountainbridge 2009 Lothian & Borders Police Tollcross Online Edinburgh News Sports News

Police Newsletter Beat PC48 Fountainbridge

A Division

Community and Neighbourhood Watch News

ISSUE 61 September 2009


'Work With Us'

City Wide

Divisional Commanders Message

This month Lothian and Borders Police is launching a major new housebreaking initiative, aimed at educating members of the public on keeping their property safe. An estimated fifty percent of all housebreakings occur in properties where windows and doors have been left unlocked. Simple steps are often all it takes to deter opportunist thieves. Ad trailers will be situated in shopping centre car parks across Edinburgh, and your local Community Beat Officer will have postcards with crime prevention advice available to distribute out. Please contact them for more information.

Lothian and Borders Police are committed to engaging with young people in Edinburgh, and a new initiative aims to tackle the issue of underage drinking. Operation Array involves officers bringing underage youths caught drinking alcohol back to Leith police station and asking the parents of the offenders to come along as well. Voluntary organisations and our officers will then engage with both the youngsters and their parents to discuss the consequences of drinking underage and the social problems it can generate. This is an example of the type of preventative work we are undertaking and underpins our Force vision of creating safer communities.
Chief Superintendent Colin Campbell, Divisional Commander.

Hot Topics

Housebreaking – Don’t Become A Victim

Housebreaking has a significant effect on people, making them feel insecure and vulnerable. By taking a few simple steps you can reduce your risk of becoming a victim.
Housebreakers mostly attack the most vulnerable point of entry to a house. This means the open window or the unlocked door.
Before leaving your home make sure all the windows and doors are securely locked. Always use both the mortise and cylinder rim locks.
Do not leave tilt & turn or hopper windows slightly open, even if you lock them, as it is much easier to force them open.
Thieves liked CRAVED items, Concealable, Removable, Available, Valuable, Enjoyable and Disposable; i.e. small items of high value such as jewellery, digital cameras, mp3 players, laptops and not forgetting good old cash and credit cards. Think about where you keep these items.

Top Tips: Don’t leave valuables like laptops where they can be viewed through a window. They may tempt a break in.
Valuables left near windows are a smash and grab risk.
Be aware of the real risk of someone “fishing” valuables like car keys, purses or handbags through a letterbox or partially open window using for example a long garden cane.
Consider purchasing a safe to keep valuable items in, but make sure the safe is secured to the fabric of the building so it cannot just be carried away.
This works well when used in conjunction with a monitored house alarm.

Local News Beat PC48 Fountainbridge

The incidents in this newsletter reflect events, which occurred in August 2009

DOMESTIC HOUSEBREAKING
There were 5 domestic Theft by Housebreakings reported during the month of August.
  • These occurred throughout the month at flats in the following areas Merchiston Avenue, Gardner’s Crescent, Murdoch Terrace, Horne Terrace and Rosebank Cottages whereby entry was gained in the main by forcing the front door.
AUTO CRIME
There were no reported incidents of auto crime this month.

THEFT PEDAL CYCLES
  • During the month of August pedal cycles have been stolen from within stairwells in the following areas Tay Street, Polwarth Gardens, Watson Crescent, Murdoch Terrace, Angle Park Terrace, Gardner’s Crescent and Harrison Road.
YOUTH CALLS
10 youth calls received during August
  • The calls were received from throughout the area.
  • The problems are mostly in the evening and spread throughout the month.
The Neighbourhood Action Unit and Community Patrol Officers will actively patrol the problem areas along with City of Edinburgh Council Community Support Officers.

LOGGED INCIDENTS
During August there were 275 incidents logged by the police in respect of Fountainbridge beat.
  • 20 of the calls were graded ‘1’, i.e. emergencies,
  • 71 were graded ‘2’, i.e. not emergencies, however should be responded to within one hour.
The remainder of the calls were dealt with by Community Beat Officer or patrol officers

Useful Numbers

  And Finally...

Community Beat Officer: (CBO)

PC 5906-A Julie Cochrane
0131 221 2008
Email julie.cochrane@lbp.pnn.police.uk

Sergeant David Connelly
0131 622 2402
Email david.connelly@lbp.pnn.police.uk

Inspector Andrew Gilhooley
0131 622 2426
andrew.gilhooley@lbp.pnn.police.uk

Crimestoppers
0800 555 111

CLARENCE (street lighting faults etc)
0800 23 23 23

Victim Support Helpline
0845 603 9213

The Scottish Helpline for Older Persons
0845 125 9732

Know the Score
(Information and advice on drugs)
0800 587 5879		   During 2009 there have been a continuation of incidents of stolen pedal cycles from the local area.
These have been stolen by means of breaking the locking mechanism and overcoming the security chain and padlock.
In some cases these pedal cycles have been simply wheeled away or removed from secured front wheel whereby the wheel has been left behind.
Bikes are an easy target for thieves if they are not secured properly by both wheels and through the frame.
The more security measures you can take, the less attractive your bike will be to thieves. No single product can cover all security possibilities but if you invest in both mechanical and electronic devices you will greatly reduce your risk of becoming a victim of this type of theft.
Protect your pedal cycle and deter thieves by following this simple advice.
When at home keep your bicycle lock in a secure location such as a shed or outbuilding, away from public view. Fit a shed alarm to the outbuildings. Lock all removable items such as quick release wheels and saddles together so they cannot easily be removed.