Some of my constituents, including representatives from Fairmilehead Community Council, have been in touch about the worrying spike in crime since the turn of the year in the area.

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I have been working closely with the police on this issue. It of huge concern that we have had these spikes in crime, and this is not unique to Fairmilehead (you may have seen recent reports in the Grange/Newington). I would be very pleased to hear from local residents on ideas of what can be done to prevent crime peaking in the area, and for any comments more generally that you would like me to pass on to local officers.

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Update from local police:••

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Operation RAC commenced on 13th•January and on a daily basis since, additional patrols have been carried out in locally identified areas, through previous reported incidents and intelligence received. These patrols are carried out by Response and Community police officers on all shifts, day and night.

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In February 2014 in the Fairmilehead beat, there have been 2 theft by housebreaking offenses in relation to dwelling houses, with a further 2 unsuccessful attempts to break into properties reported. In addition one shed and one garage have been broken into. There were 5 theft by housebreaking offenses in January, with a further unsuccessful attempt to break into a house. 2 of the theft by housebreaking offenses have quickly resulted in persons being arrested and charged. Others are still under investigation. I have checked these against overall figures for the past 12 months, where 52 offenses were reported (these include all house break-ins, sheds, garages, businesses and all unsuccessful attempts to enter all such property, so we are running at slightly more than the one a week previously.

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Officers currently attend the home addresses of 2 known offenders residing in the Oxgangs Police Station area on a nightly basis to ensure they are complying with bail curfew conditions imposed by the Court. Crime prevention surveys are being offered to vulnerable victims affected and we are using social media to highlight crime prevention advice. Stop and search continues to be used where appropriate.

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The activities of officers locally and across the city working on this operation have definitely disrupted criminal activity with a number of offenders arrested and reported for housebreakings committed across the city.

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