December2003 has seen quite a high level of reported crime within the Panel's area.

The Morningside and Marchmont areas have seen a very high level of pedal cycle theft. Most of these have been stolen from common stairs whilst secured to stair railings. Most victims have been students who have returned home over the festive period and left their bikes unattended outside their digs.

To combat this type of theft residents should try and keep valuable bikes within their flats. This is not always practical owing to a lack of space but there are bicycle-hanging systems available that can be found in most cycle magazines, which are worthy of consideration.

If cycles have to be kept in the common stair they must be secured with a good quality padlock or D-Lock at all times. Such locks are expensive and are likely to cost over £30. The website www.soldsecure.com is worth looking at as they independently test security products and rate the best.

When securing your bike to a railing (or other structure) you should also pass the lock through your frame and rear wheel. This makes it difficult for your bike to be wheeled away, unless the lock is also forced. If you have quick release hubs remember to secure both wheels as well.

Owners of valuable bikes should also consider having them insured and fitted with a "Datatag" transponder. This device will ensure that if your bike is recovered the Police can get it back to you.

For further information on cycle security contact the Constable Cameron at the Crime Prevention Department on 221 2050.

Elsewhere in the panels area there have been high levels of car crime again. The areas that have been worst hit are the Inch, Grange and Prestonfield areas. Break-ins to vehicles continue to be the worst problem although there have been a number of thefts as well. For further information on vehicle security log on to www.secureyourmotor.gov.uk or contact the Crime Prevention Department.

Thankfully there have been few crimes of violence although there were two incidents of indecent exposure within the Braidburn Valley Park, which is just outside the Panel's area. Any members of the public witnessing such behaviour should report it as soon as possible to the Police

OCTOBER 2003

This last month has seen vehicle crime become the most widespread problem within the Panel's area. Theft from parked motor vehicles is at a high level. The areas of Merchiston, Marchmont, Grange and Newington have all been badly affected. This type of crime is easily preventable if all owners were to remove valuable property from their vehicles. CD Radio players are most commonly stolen followed by mobile phones, cash, bags, clothing and golf equipment. CD Radio players in many cars are removable or part of the player is removable which renders the remainder left in the vehicle useless if stolen. If you don't have such a player at present you should consider the purchase of one in the future as they are relatively inexpensive and will remove much of the temptation for a thief to break into your car. All the other items mentioned are easily removable and should be stored within your home.

There were 27 vehicle thefts over the last month. Many of these were stolen from the areas mentioned above yet the Gracemount area was also targeted. Most of these vehicles were older Fords and Astras around F,G, and H registered. 50% of the vehicles were recovered. Again the theft of these vehicles can be made much more difficult if owners were to use steering wheel locks or other retrofit security devices.

www.soldsecure.com is a website worth looking at as they independently test vehicle security products and give them a rating. Good quality steering wheel locks can resist criminal attack for up to 20mins and cost less than £70.

The Home Office website www.secureyourmotor.gov.uk is also worth looking at if you have access to the internet.

There were 21 domestic housebreakings in the area with most being entered by forcing the front door or by forcing a ground floor window. There were also incidents of windows that were secured on restricting devices being forced open. All homes should have ground floor windows fitted with window locks capable of securing the window in the closed position. When windows are partially open on restrictor devices this allows the intruder easier opportunities to force the window open. When away from your home always close and secure your windows.

There have recently been a number of incidents involving Bogus Callers in the area masquerading as council gardeners and hedge cutters. These people have mainly been targeting the elderly yet everyone should consider the following advice :-

1. When your doorbell goes, use a window or spy hole to visually identify the caller.

2. If known to you i.e. friends or family, let them in.

3. If expected or invited by you i.e. tradesman, community nurse etc let them in only if you are satisfied of their identity. You can do this by checking their identity cards or by phoning the organisation that the claim to work for.

4. If not known or expected, do not let them in, in any circumstances.

There is no need to open your door to any unexpected caller. Communicate through your locked door, letterbox or use a door intercom device. (Currently being tested by Police and Age Concern in Edinburgh).

For any further information on any Crime Prevention matter contact your local crime prevention officers Constables Andrew Cameron or Jim McKenna on 0131 221 2050.

SEPTEMBER 2003

Car crime again dominates this fortnight's update with a total of 27 break-ins to motor vehicles within the Panel's area (South side of Edinburgh). The total value of property stolen was £18,000. The areas worst affected were again the Marchmont, Grange and Newington areas. There were a number of vans broken into with the property stolen from one van alone amounting to £6600. The most common mode of entry was by smashing a window. A number of incidents were also reported where the owners have forgotten to secure their vehicles. The most commonly stolen items were car radios,CD players, mobile phones, golf clubs and sunglasses. There is evidence that many criminals were breaking into vehicles to steal bags left lying in view. Many of these bags were empty or contained little of value. The message here is that owners should leave nothing within their cars that may entice a thief to force entry. Not only do they lose the item in question but face an expensive repair bill to fix their damaged vehicles.

There were also 23 thefts of motor vehicles in the area. Rover Metro's and motor scooters were the most popular targets. Again the Grange and Newington were affected although Liberton, Gracemount and Gilmerton were worst affected. Most of the scooters stolen have yet to be recovered and one £6600 Fiat Punto is still outstanding. Owners of scooters should look at the www.crimereduction.gov.uk website for advice on how to best secure their scooters or contact your local Crime Prevention Officers, Constables Andrew Cameron and Jim Mckenna for further advice. (221 2050).

There were 10 housebreakings with the majority occurring in the Gracemount and Gilmerton areas. The most common entry points were ground floor windows, some at the front. All such windows must have proper window locks fitted and used when you leave your home.

Break-ins to sheds are down with only 3 reported incidents. However one of these incidents resulted in over £4000 worth of golfing equipment being stolen from the rear of a hotel in Minto street.

Thankfully crimes of violence are at a low level. One item of the note was the assault with intent to rob of a foreign student in the Inch area. One male and one female attempted to steal the females personal CD player however she fought back and thankfully was not seriously hurt. Enquiries are ongoing here by the Police.

As always crime prevention advice can be found on our website, the government site above or from your local crime prevention officers, 221 2050.

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