Operation Cipher 3 in Oxgangs from today

Initiative to boost community safety reaches Oxgangs

After a successful tour round the Calders area in the west of the city, a targeted initiative to improve the quality of life for people living and working in the Oxgangs area of Edinburgh starts today.

Operation Cipher 3 is a four-week multi-agency programme, involving police, the council and other bodies, which aims to combat a wide range of anti-social behaviour issues that can have a very negative impact on local communities. Dog fouling, fly tipping, litter, graffiti and noisy neighbours will all be targeted for action and there will also be an initiative to target bogus callers.

The Council will join forces with the Scottish Police Service, Fire and Rescue Service and Dunedin Canmore Housing to undertake a number of activities all designed to help local residents feel safe in their community.

Community Safety leader for the City of Edinburgh Council, Councillor Cammy Day, said: -“This is an excellent initiative that tackles issues that can seriously impact on community safety and wellbeing.

“As well as carrying out patrols, walkabouts and visits we will be holding drop-in sessions to give us a chance to get feedback from the community and learn about their concerns.

“I would encourage as many people as possible to take part in this to help us focus on the issues that really matter to local residents. By working together we can help make Oxgangs a safer, better place to live.”

Some of the activities include:

• Joint patrols by the Police and Environmental Wardens including the Council’s Mobile CCTV
• Joint work with Community Safety Teams and the Police
• Road shows/drop-in surgeries across the area
• Fun activities for young people, delivered by local youth groups and Edinburgh Leisure
• Environmental walkabouts with community representatives
• Visits to businesses by Trading Standards, Environmental Wardens and Licensing Services
• Surgeries about Welfare Reform and the advice and support the Council can provide

Chief Inspector Richard Thomas, from Police Scotland, said: “Police Scotland is committed to keeping people safe, and we are pleased to be working alongside our partners in the local community as part of Operation Cipher 3.

“Over the next month our officers will carry out high-visibility patrols in the Oxgangs area, and will take action to reduce incidents of violence and anti-social behaviour in the community.

“In addition, we will be participating in a range of joint activities along with our partners, all with the aim of keeping local residents safe, and we will be engaging with residents in order to listen and respond to any concerns they may have.”