Police have made 100 arrests as part of an ongoing initiative to tackle drug related anti-social behaviour.
Operation Austinburg was set up at the end of the summer in response to complaints from local residents and businesses in the Southside of the City.
Throughout autumn additional officers and Council Environmental Wardens have been on patrol in the area targeting common stairs and other areas where drug use has been occurring.
The activity carried out as part of the operation to date has involved around 2000 disruption visits to stairs and public areas to deter drug use as well as five intelligence-led searches of properties in Potterow, Nicolson Street, Upper Grey Street and Dumbiedykes where information relating to drugs distribution had been received.
Officers also seized £15,000 worth of drugs from the streets during enforcement activity directed at around 80 individuals throughout South Edinburgh.
Chief Inspector Mark Rennie, Area Commander for South Edinburgh said: “Our activity on the ground to tackle drug misuse and street dealing is having a real impact.
“Officers are out on foot patrol targeting the problem on a daily basis and we’ve received excellent support from the Council’s Community Safety team to address security and access issues identified
“The operation also coincides with the strategic level activity carried out by Police Scotland and City of Edinburgh Council to prevent the sale and distribution of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) across the City
“It’s important that our approach considers the significant health issues underlying drug abuse and for that reason we will continue to liaise with health agencies to ensure vulnerable users can be offered help and support.”
Councillor Cammy Day, Community Safety Leader for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “Anti-social behaviour can have a devastating effect on communities, and it is well known that drugs and alcohol can cause this type of behaviour to worsen.
“We are committed to making communities safer and do so by working closely with Police Scotland on initiatives such as Operation Austinburg to help reduce these incidents.
“Operations like this are made easier by help from residents and as always, local knowledge is extremely valuable.
“I would encourage south-side residents to get in touch if they have any concerns or information that might be helpful.”
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.
