Astley Ainslie Anti-social behaviour

My office has picked up quite a few concerns about youth anti-social behaviour from residents living near the Astley Ainslie site. I have raised these concerns with the Police and obtained the following response from the Police:

Thank you for raising this on behalf of your constituents. I can confirm that we are aware of the issues highlighted, Morningside Community Council and other members of the public have reported issues in the same area. Local officers have been informed of the repeated incidents and the times that these occur. I have asked that when possible they carry out high visibility patrols in the areas and deal with any groups of youths in the appropriate manner. Can I also encourage residents to report any issues as they occur? This will allow officers to be dispatched as soon as possible. Our Community Team has been fragmented for the upcoming COP26 events however once we are back to full strength I will ensure that the area is given attention.

Gracemount Mansion

Gracemount Mansion has seen a rise in youth anti-social behaviour in recent months. Of course these issues are long standing but the recent events, including bin fires and egg throwing, have left many locals at the end of their tether. I have raised this with the Police and they have provided the below list of actions they are taking. There are issues with the quantity and quality of CCTV cameras in the area which are preventing the Police from taking any further action to pursue the offenders. This is something I am pursuing with the Council as well as what measures can be taken to secure the site and prevent youths from congregating there.

-We put a press release out alongside the fire service as on one occasion some missiles were thrown at the SFRS who responded and enquiries ongoing
-Extensive CCTV enquiries to see if we can ID youths involved in ASB
-Intervention visits to youths
-engagement with retailers around sale of eggs and have planned visits around fireworks in run up to bonfire night, we will also be doing visits with trading standards, SFRS, our preventions department
-engaged with local residents
-had officers out on high visibility patrols
-have also done some plain clothes patrols and engagement
-we have been working alongside schools, partner agencies and youth providers to establish visits for youths around ASB and prevention
-Inputs and visits in YPUs with our newly created Youth Liaison and YPU SPOC
-There is a crime prevention visit with council, SFRS and police at Gracemount Mansions to review fencing, CCTV and other security options
-I have raised the location as one of note to focus our partnership activities on in our local CIP and bonfire meetings
-SFRS and police are doing active patrols and engagement with youths
-We have diversionary activities and funding planned for youths over the next few weeks
-The area forms part of our patrol taskings
-Briefing has been put out to the officers
-We have also applied for a dispersal zone in the area over the bonfire period
-School inputs are being conducted alongside housing visits
-Spotting waste and working on a waste removal plan to prevent any items being targeted or set on fire