Kicking into action
Community clean-ups prepare the neighbourhood for summer
In the lead up to summer, community clean-ups were in full swing in north Edinburgh – to reduce crime, increase good feelings and improve the look and feel of the area.
Residents in Muirhouse enjoyed a Week of Action in May, with the Police, Council and community working together to tackle hotspots.
The event was sponsored by the Forth Clean, Green and Safe Action Group and the Muirhouse/Salvesen community council.
A key part of the week was the work done by the community council to plan the actions which would be of most benefit to residents.
Officers from the local Neighbourhood Action Unit (NAU) and Police colleagues tackled speeding motorists, clamped down on untaxed vehicles and pursued offenders with outstanding warrants.
Officers chatted with residents as they visited houses throughout Muirhouse along with the Council’s community safety officers to deliver an information pack on crime prevention, fire safety and Council services.
Environmental Wardens carried out intensive patrols to reduce dog fouling and littering. Local primary schools got involved and learnt about the dangers of speeding cars and the problems caused by graffiti and vandalism.
The Council’s open spaces task force and concierge services worked hard cleaning, removing graffiti, clearing up chewing gum and giving a facelift to the areas around the multi-storey blocks.
The finale was a fun afternoon organised by the Community Safety Team at Muirhouse Millennium Centre. The mobile CCTV van made a popular appearance and youngsters got the chance to challenge the NAU officers to a match on the mobile football pitch.
The pitch is part of a new football project, “Kickabout,” funded by the Youth Matrix Fund and provided by the Edinburgh Community Safety Partnership. Police teams in the North share the mobile football pitch and put it up in areas where young people are at a loose end.
The football pitch is quick and easy to set up, can be used on all types of surface indoors and outdoors and doesn't need a lot of space.
The pace and thrills of the game draw youngsters to the event, and allow youth workers or Police officers to connect with them and divert them away from more negative entertainment.