Rt Hon Alistair Darling MP
Currie & Balerno News (anti-social behaviour)
I welcomed the overall drop in crime figures this year however lives can still be blighted by anti social behaviour.
The Anti-Social Behaviour Act can be used to force vandals to clean up their graffiti; £50 fines can be made for litter and fly tipping offences; complaints about noisy neighbours can be investigated, those who ignore warnings can be fined and whatever is making the noise, such as a TV, can be seized. Police can issue fixed fines for offences such as vandalism and breach of the peace.
I met Chief Inspector Hawkins who’s responsible for the Pentlands area to explain the problems which constituents contact me about and to hear about new initiatives such as Police.uk. This is a free service that provides information directly to your mobile phone, computer or landline telephone. For example, if the police receive information that there are bogus workmen in the area, you will receive a message. It’s very good and I urge you to try it.
I want to make sure these powers and initiatives are used and I’ll be working with the Council and local groups to make sure these powers work. If you have any problems in this area, or any other, please let me know.
Finally, may I take this opportunity to wish readers a very happy Christmas and and good New Year.
