Police PR: 'At £75,000, the campaign does not come cheap'

Published on Thursday 20 August 2009 09:54

AT a time when the Lothian and Borders force is warning that it may be forced to reduce manpower due to budget restrictions it is vital that it utilises every tool at its disposal to fight crime.

Attempts have been made over the years to increase the contribution made by civilians, primarily through the recruitment of more special constables. There are now more than 180 of them, working 30,000 hours a year. But the police admit that they have not utilised fully their most potentially effective weapon, the public.

With one caveat, it is to be welcomed, therefore, that a campaign is to be launched to help the force re-engage with communities and take advice from them on their policing needs.

Like elsewhere, the fear of crime in Edinburgh is often greater than the reality of crime itself. The Capital remains a relatively safe city and many only come into contact with the police when they are in trouble or the victim of a criminal act.

But the caveat is that, at 75,000, the campaign does not come cheap and some will dismiss it as a PR stunt. Certainly, it will only be worth it if it genuinely aids the war against crime – and helps dispel the fear of crime too – by forging closer links between individuals, communities and the police.

Earn your corn

ONE of the few downsides of the ban on smoking in public places has been a massive increase in the number of discarded butts littering our streets, particularly outside pubs and offices.

This was only to be expected. Smokers have long contributed excessively to the litter problem, and even though many buildings now have containers so that those who smoke outside can dispose of cigarette ends tidily, they are too rarely used.

In a city which relies so heavily on tourism our appearance should be a source of pride so the news that the council is finally to get tough on litter louts – of all types – is long overdue.

To date, the performance of the specially appointed wardens who are charged with dealing with the problem has been lamentable. Between the 32 of them they handed out just seven 50 fines in a single year, despite costing the taxpayer 600,000 annually.

It is about time they started earning their corn. But we hope the council has factored in the hostility they are likely to face from some sections of the public. If in their bid to help clean up the city the litter meanies do increase their efficiency they are likely to be about as popular as traffic wardens.