Edinburgh students dispersed by police after reports of parties

Student revellers were dispersed by police on Friday night following reports of multiple parties taking place at one of Edinburgh’s largest halls of residence.

Officers were called to the University of Edinburgh’s Pollock Halls after concerned “informants” revealed a number of parties were in full flow involving individuals who were “clearly not from the same household”, BBC Scotland reports.

It has also been reported that at least one of the blocks at Pollock Halls has been put into “lockdown” following a confirmed case of Covid-19.

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The Evening News has approached the University of Edinburgh for comment.

Students were dispersed after reports of multiple parties taking place at Pollock Halls.Students were dispersed after reports of multiple parties taking place at Pollock Halls.
Students were dispersed after reports of multiple parties taking place at Pollock Halls.
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Speaking to BBC Scotland, Inspector David Hughes said no arrests or fines had been issued and that students had complied with orders to disperse.

He said: "Police Scotland attended and we've spoken to a number of the parties and dispersed those individuals.

"From a police perspective, we've been relatively well received there. We have had some people who were unhappy with the regulations - but more the laws that are in force currently rather than the police response.

"It must feel strange to people of that age and you can understand their frustrations in relation to the current regulations but overall the reason that that's there is to protect the health of the United Kingdom."

The parties come hot on the heels of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s announcement that students are to be banned from venturing into pubs and bars for the time being in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

On Monday the Evening News reported that Pollock Halls residents have been complaining of the “prison-like” conditions implemented by the establishment in recent weeks to combat the pandemic.

First-year students living at the halls of residence say they have endured being surveilled by staff as they eat alone at single desks at the JMCC cafeteria.

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In a plea to students, a spokesperson for the University of Edinburgh said: “We know this is difficult and appreciate that you want to meet friends but this is a critical time and your behaviour matters.”

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