Hit squads to take on yobs in crime blitz

The teams will be tasked with gathering evidence in a bid to combat yobs responsible for disturbances, graffiti, vandalism and other problems plaguing neighbourhoods across Edinburgh.

From next Monday, the three squads of five "ned-busters" will be called upon to swoop on trouble spots around the clock.

Armed with video cameras to record disturbances, their role will include taking witness statements which will be used in court to obtain antisocial behaviour orders - which can include curfews and bans on individuals going into certain areas.

But the civilian squads will not have the power to arrest suspects or move yobs from designated areas, which will remain the responsibility of the police.

Niddrie, Pilton and Broomhouse are expected to be among the areas initially targeted.

The hit squads are expected to set up camp temporarily in certain communities in a bid to solve persistent problems.

Donald Urquhart, Edinburgh City Council’s new antisocial behaviour tsar, today said he was "confident" the crackdown would have a dramatic effect on the quality of life for residents across the Capital.

"It is unfair that people are having their lives blighted by other people’s thoughtlessness," he said. "The majority of people in the city are very fortunate to live very quiet lives and are not affected.

"The squads will co-ordinate the delivery of services between the council and outside the council such as the police and voluntary organisations.

"If the matter is urgent enough we will get the police to attend. A lot of the problems will need community involvement to find a community solution. I am confident this will be successful."

Mr Urquhart, a former police superintendent, added that the hit squads will also enlist the help of council departments such as housing or social work in a bid to solve problems.

The local authority is also updating its antisocial behaviour strategy in the wake of the new powers from the Scottish Executive, he added. "It is not clear enough," said Mr Urquhart. "We need to be sharper."

The crackdown follows tough new measures which came into force last week - including police powers to disperse youths in trouble spots and extending antisocial behaviour orders to children aged 12 to 15.

A publicity campaign to raise awareness about the council’s new antisocial behaviour hotline is also expected to be launched within a matter of weeks.

Victims will be able to call the hotline for advice or help. Officials will decide whether the matter merits police or hit squad involvement.

But city Tory leader Iain Whyte today suggested that additional police officers remained the best way to tackle antisocial behaviour.

"I think most people would like to see more police on the street to deter all crime, including antisocial behaviour," he said.

"There needs to be a more visible presence. Any work done by the squads will be helpful, but we should make sure there are enough police on the street to solve any difficulties."

SNP justice spokesman Kenny MacAskill added: "These people can be of assistance, but nothing can beat the sight of a bobby on the beat. What we need are more police officers. The good citizens of Edinburgh want to be reassured that they are safe."

Meanwhile, retailers are demanding that the new powers are used immediately in a bid to stop "intimidating and threatening behaviour" towards shop staff.

The Scottish Retail Consortium has urged the city council and Lothian and Borders Police to pursue antisocial behaviour orders against individuals who harass shop staff.

SRC director Fiona Moriarty said: "If councils’ new antisocial behaviour units are as proactive as they are being urged to be by the Scottish Executive, they should be working with shops in their areas who continually suffer from abuse from anti-social members of the public.

"It is high time that the concerns of retail staff are taken seriously, and that the anti-social behaviour that is experienced as part of the job is no longer deemed acceptable by our councils and police."