Your Safety

EMERGENCY: - Fire, Police, Ambulance - dial 999
Non-Emergency: - and connection to all parts of the Lothian and Border Police Force - 0131 331 3131
Crimestoppers: - if you wish to give information anonymously - 0800 555 111
Local station: - Howdenhall Police Station, 9 HowdenHall Road Edinburgh EH16 6TF, 0131 658 5235

To report a crime via the Internet click here.

The Lothian and Borders Police website gives lots of information about the local Police force. For more information, click here.

Police Newsletter South Morningside
Police Newsletter North Morningside

BEWARE Telephone Scam

A company called Crime Research UK, or allied company SAS Fire and Security Services, is currently targeting Morningside residents, mainly those in older age groups, by telephone. They are offering a 'FREE' home security system. The catch is that although the unit itself is free they charge a very great deal for installation and maintenance, and get people to sign a contract committing them to expensive finance.

They sound very plausible, may say they are working with the police or got your details from a Government source - neither of which is true.

Coverage in our area is heavy at the moment. Of about 28 people at the CC meeting on 20 January, four had been targeted within the previous few days, and since then at least one has been targeted again. If you get such a call, on no account enter into any deal with them. Contact the Government's Trading Standards Authority on 0131 469 5428 or graeme.hill@edinburgh.gsx.gov.uk. Trading Standards is already investigating both companies and will be glad to add to their growing file of information.

WARN YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBOURS

GENERAL SAFETY ADVICE

Analysis has shown us that some opportunist thieves have been targeting houses in this area. 

The Police suggest that you give your house a summer security health check.  Take a good look at your house and try to work out how you would get into your house without a key.  If you have an alarm do you use it every time you go out? Have you recorded all of the serial numbers for your electrical equipment?  Are your valuables easily accessible?   

The following tips could help prevent your house from becoming a statistic: 

• Ensure your locks are tested to British Standard.

• Window locks should be fitted where appropriate and used all the time.  Do not leave the key in the lock. 

• Mark all the electrical equipment with an ultraviolet marker pen.

• Hedges or trees should be trimmed or cropped so as not to provide cover for thieves.

• Laptop computers and mobile phones are favourite housebreaking targets.  These should be locked away or removed from view. 

• Consider investing in a safe or strong box for storage of cash and valuables.  A safe should be securely fixed to the fabric of the building and should only be used for short-term storage of cash.

• Consider installing an intruder alarm system.  More information can be found on alarm systems and monitoring at www.nsi.org.uk

If you see anyone acting suspiciously near to your premises please contact the police immediately with as detailed a description as possible of any person or vehicle involved.  Please call 999 if an emergency and urgent police assistance is required or 0131 311 3131 to report the matter to the police.

For further advice visit www.crimereduction.gov.uk or contact Carlyn McGhee, Crime Prevention Officer, Howdenhall Police Station, on 0131 658 5245.