Police in Edinburgh are urging the public to ensure they keep their belongings and goods safe while out within the city centre during the festive period.
As part of Operation Astrodome, officers will continue to provide a high-visibility police presence in busy areas of Edinburgh to detect and deter criminal activity.
Officers will also engage with the public to offer crime prevention advice, particularly around safeguarding valuables while out shopping, or enjoying the Christmas and New Year celebrations in town.
Today, police will speak with shoppers and retailers within the city centre at over 100 premises and locations.
Leaflets will be handed out advising people to ‘Hold on to Your Stuff’ and make sure items such as handbags, purses, wallets and any purchased goods are not easily accessible to other people or left unattended.
The materials are translated into a range of languages and are aimed at ensuring anyone visiting the Capital’s many stores, pubs, clubs and restaurants over the holiday season does not become a victim of acquisitive crime.
Posters highlighting the “Hold Onto Your Stuff” message are being displayed throughout popular retail destinations as of today. However, anyone wishing further information on keeping their possessions safe can contact Police Scotland through a variety of channels.
These posters are already on display within all stalls at the Edinburgh’s Christmas markets on Princes Street and St Andrews Square and local policing teams are supporting stewarding and security staff with uniformed and plain-clothes officers.
Inspector Alun Williams said: “With only three weeks left until Christmas, the city centre continues to get busier and busier, with thousands of people coming out to shop and enjoy Edinburgh’s festive celebrations.
“Officers will be out on foot and bicycle patrols during the Festival to speak with the public and distribute crime prevention leaflets, which provide guidance on how to protect their belongings.
“These leaflets are translated into a number of different languages and will be distributed across a number of popular destinations in Edinburgh to maximise awareness of this issue.
“We are also engaging with the business community who will display our ‘Hold Onto Your Stuff’ posters, which assists us in providing the city centre community with vital crime prevention advice.
“Those wishing more information on safeguarding their property over Christmas and New Year can also speak with their local policing team or by following our Twitter accounts @EdinburghPolice, @EdinCityPolice and by using #OpAstrodome.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
