Local Round-up: Police make sure deaf have a say

POLICE are set to hold drop-in sessions for the deaf and hard of hearing.

The drop-in, held at Deaf Action's Head Office in Albany Street, is the first of its kind in Edinburgh.

A British Sign Language interpreter will be present, and attendees will have the chance to speak to a police officer in confidence.

The sessions will be repeated on the first Thursday of every month.

Meeting of minds at college

Stevenson College will run a business pitching and brainstorming event on Monday. The event, at Edinburgh University's Playfair Library, is intended to build closer ties between the college and businesses. Contact [email protected] or 0131-535 4800.

Speeding drivers warned they'll be watched

MOBILE speed cameras will be in operation from next Monday at the A90 Cramond, Muirhouse Parkway, West Granton Road, Comiston Road, A70 Balerno, A706 Longridge, A89 Armadale, A706 Cairnie Place, A71 Briech.

Drivers are warned the technology can detect speeding motorists 24 hours a day and are not "lane specific".

Figures released last year showed speed cameras raised nearly 900,000 in Lothian and Borders, more than anywhere else in Scotland.

New hope for house hunters

First-time buyers are being encouraged to investigate a shared equity scheme for new homes in Craigmillar.

Developer PARC is offering the last remaining properties in the scheme, with two weeks before the application deadline.

Contact 0845 220 5000 or www.parclife.co.uk.

Foulkes has nothing for 'muggers'LOTHIANS Labour MSP George Foulkes has called for Scotland-wide regulations to tackle the "completely inappropriate" behaviour of some charity street canvassers. The Evening News revealed last month that Edinburgh was to become the first place in Scotland to draw up tough new rules to crack down on the Capital's squads of "charity muggers".

Lord Foulkes said: "There is a significant minority who are discourteous and who pressurise members of the public."

Chick reveals booze impact

A PUBLIC lecture examining alcohol, its impacts and its future is being held at Queen Margaret University.

Consultant psychiatrist Jonathan Chick will deliver the talk, entitled Alcohol, Dietry Enhancer, Crafty Drug, on February 22 from 5.30pm at the Halle Lecture Theatre.