Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service were hindered in their work last night by vandalism. They were called out to fight a fire at a derelict school in Muirhouse during which they found their firehoses damaged and a fire officer’s car had the tyres slashed.
A boy has now been charged in connection with the blaze according to the BBC online, although it is not clear whether the charge is connected to the fire itself or the vandalism.
Local MSP Margaret Smith said:-“This is absolutely outrageous. Just as it is unacceptable to attack emergency service personnel who are risking their lives to save others, deliberately vandalising life-saving equipment is not on.
“Boredom is not an excuse for this type of behaviour. It is right that an investigation is launched, but this should include a wider examination of why a minority of young people think it’s ok to attack emergency service personnel or their equipment. We need to drum it home that this reckless behaviour can cost lives and will not be tolerated.
“The Scottish Parliament has passed laws making it an aggravated offence to attack emergency personnel. We need to work out why the message isn’t getting through to this minority of young people, despite widespread revulsion about this kind of behaviour.”
Peter Tobin did not show up for his appeal hearing in Edinburgh today, claiming illness. Two of his victims were Vicky Hamilton and Dinah McNicol, although it is feared there may be more. Police are searching gardens and basements at some of his previous addresses. The fathers of the two young girls whose bodies have been found were in court to hear the basis of his appeal against sentence and The Press Agency reports their reaction.
An Edinburgh man, Anthony Demarco, was jailed today by Lady Smith for five years in connection with a £1m fraud which resulted in his own father being shot outside the casino at Maybury… Deadline has the story which is very complicated. Insurance fraud, threat to life, gambling….all a very sorry tale indeed.
Deadline also have the story of the rescue in the Forth which took place today. The lifeboat from Kinghorn was scrambled along with a helicopter to save passengers on board a motor yacht on a trip from Dunbar to Inchkeith. No-one was injured.
Coathanger crucifixion. Yes you read that right. 3000 coathangers used to form a 9feet high figure of Christ. It was mounted outside St Giles today briefly. The Scotsman has the photo. You can’t see it any more as it has gone back to the studio where it is being kept safely until it finds a permanent home.
The HR magazine has the story about research from Edinburgh Napier University which discloses the alarming fact that when jobseeking it is not what you know but who you know. Well I never. Michty me. Imagine that. How long did that take?
Free Office Search has the story that more businesses are seeking premises in the first six months of this year compared to last. They quote figures from surveyors CBRE. Similar story in The Scotsman.
Finally a question is posed on a Guardian blog from one of the readers who lives in a tenement flat in Edinburgh…… What’s the most eco-friendly way to dry my laundry indoors? Leo who is one of the authors of the blog is going to answer this question on Friday. We can’t wait. What do you think??
