Police celebrate fall in festive crime

Lothian and Borders police, city authorities and British transport police are celebrating a significant drop in crime rates in Edinburgh city centre during December 2008.

The number of reported crimes dropped 16 per cent on average figures for the same period over the last three years. Police activity focused primarily on reducing drink-related crimes including public disorder and alcohol-fuelled assault, underage drinking and the consumption of alcohol in public places.

Chief Inspector Kevin Murray of Lothian and Borders police said: "The huge increase in visitors to the city centre over the festive period has a major impact on the service demand made of all the agencies."

"Through this initiative we have pulled together our resources to ensure that local people and visitors to our capital were able to enjoy the festive experience in a safe and welcoming environment."

More than 80 litres of alcohol were confiscated from underage drinkers during December by police.

Chief Inspector Murray's comments were echoed by David Hodgson, media and marketing manager for British transport police who indicated that the joint initiative had proved successful for the second year running and, it is hoped, would repeated in future years.

Meanwhile Lothian Buses have announced a significant increase in passenger and driver satisfaction over the festive period following a number of initiatives aimed at eliminating anti-social behaviour across Edinburgh's public transport network.

Gateway checks were carried out on Lothian Buses entering the city centre to monitor youth disorder and identify and apprehend youths carrying alcohol. British transport police also increased patrols on trains and at stations in the Edinburgh and Lothian areas over the festive period.

Only six litres of alcohol were seized from underage drinkers by transport police in December but officials have highlighted the success of an increased police presence on major transport routes as a deterrent to potential offenders.

In a joint initiative with Lothian and Borders Police, British Transport Police also assigned additional Transport Martials to patrol six of Edinburgh's major taxi ranks.

The scheme has been hailed a great success by taxi drivers and the public following smaller-scale trials over the last two years.

Drink-drivers were also targets, with 93 arrests made by Lothian and Borders Police during December for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Elsewhere, city authorities reported a fall in the number of other anti-social behaviour offences in the city centre.

The number of minor assaults was down while the number of serious assaults occurring in December fell by nearly half compared to figures for the same period in 2007.

Police and community safety staff also conducted weapons searches on revellers throughout December and early January and charged four individuals with possession of a weapon.