Police are once again warning domestic abuse offenders that there is no hiding place as they carry a range of activities during their annual festive campaign.
Specialist officers from the Domestic Abuse Investigation Unit and Public Protection Unit have been supporting local resources within the Capital to target those responsible for violence, intimidation, harassment and bullying against partners and family members.
Since the campaign launched on Monday 5th December, eight people have so far been arrested on warrant, while a further eight have been arrested for domestic abuse offences.
Various bail checks have also been conducted to visit those currently with bail restrictions and identify any breaches of these conditions.
Further enforcement days are scheduled to take place over the coming days before the initiative concludes on Thursday 22nd December.
To further promote the campaign, Police Scotland is once again teaming up with Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian FC and during upcoming matches officers will make informative literature available to supporters so they can assist in tackling domestic abuse.
In addition, School-Based Officers have provided educational inputs to Forrester and Tynecastle High School along with the Wester Hailes Education Centre, while stalls have been set up to engage with the public at the Gyle and Ocean Terminal Shopping Centres.
Police and partners from the City of Edinburgh Council, and various domestic abuse and women’s support charities also spoke at the Liberton and Gilmerton Domestic Abuse Journey event, which took place at Valley Park Community Centre on 30
Speaking alongside two football players from Hearts and Hibernian, Detective Supt David Gordon from Edinburgh Division said: “Domestic abuse remains an under-reported crime within our communities and so it is extremely important that we stand alongside our partners to show the public that these offences will not be tolerated and to demonstrate to victims the range of support and assistance we can provide when they come forward and make a report.
“We have already made a number of arrests for domestic offences and our enforcement activity will continue whenever we identify anyone responsible for crimes of this crimes of this nature.
“It is also equally important that we continue to educate the public on the different forms domestic abuse can take and how they can help us stamp it out.
“I would strongly urge any victims of domestic abuse to contact police immediately so we can investigate your report with the utmost professionalism and sensitivity.”
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.
