Assault victim wins battle to boost underpass security

A GRANDMOTHER who had her head smashed against a wall by two muggers as they tried to steal a bag of clothes has won her battle to boost security in the underpass where she was attacked.

• Patricia Thomson was mugged in the underpass as she carried a bag of clothes

Patricia Thomson was assaulted in broad daylight by the men as she walked through the underpass beneath Wester Hailes Road in February.

The 48-year-old launched a bid to improve security in the underpass and collected 600 signatures on a petition which was handed to council chiefs.

Now the council has moved to install extra lighting and more powerful lampposts to help make the underpass safer.

The work has also seen vegetation beside the public walkway cut back to increase visibility, while graffiti has been removed from its walls and police and community safety officers have stepped up patrols.

Ms Thomson today described the move as a "positive achievement".

She said: "It's very good for the community because we won't have to worry so much about being mugged in the underpass, something which has happened to people many times before. But the council should've sorted it out years ago. It's as if they were waiting for someone to be killed first.

"I had a lot of support for the campaign and I'm sure everyone will be glad that something has finally happened. We pay our council tax and should be able to go out walking without being afraid of being attacked."

Ms Thomson, who lives in Barn Park Crescent near the underpass, was taking a bag of clothes to her grandchildren's home in Baberton when the muggers made a grab for it.

A 29-year-old man was later arrested and charged with attempted robbery.

Ms Thomson, who is disabled after suffering a broken neck two years ago, said her condition had worsened since the attack.

She added that the improved security would still not convince her to walk along the underpass on her own.

She added: "I still don't leave the house by myself. My daughter or one of my friends also goes with me.

"When I was attacked, they wrenched my neck and made the existing damage even worse. I have to take medication for it and I'll probably have to do that for the rest of my life."

Councillor Paul Edie, the city's community safety leader, said: "We work with the police to make our communities safer and we have also been holding meetings with the local community to discuss how this underpass can be improved.

"Various improvements have now been made, including graffiti removal, improved lighting, and police patrols."

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