Police make 49 arrests in first month of Edinburgh city centre crackdown
PA MediaA new policing unit dedicated to patrolling Edinburgh city centre has made 49 arrests in its first month of operation.
Police Scotland said the 49 people were arrested and charged with 114 offences by the city centre policing unit (CCPU) during the month of July.
The team, partially funded by money set to be collected from Edinburgh's tourist tax, also seized alcohol from the Hunter Square area on 47 occasions, issued 20 recorded warnings and carried out more than 200 "youth interactions".
CCPU leader, Insp Stephen Quinn, said the unit's inaugural month had been "immensely challenging but extremely rewarding".
Similar powers were rolled out to officers in Glasgow city centre earlier this year, where 43 arrests were made between March and April.
Officers in Edinburgh were also involved in the response to the fire at the former Debenhams store on Princes Street.
About £1m in funding from the visitor levy, which came into effect on 24 July, has been drawn down to help fund the CCPU.
It was introduced in time for the city's festival season in August.
Insp Quinn said: "We're under no illusion that more work needs to be done and we will continue to build on the success of our first month as we strive to make Edinburgh's city-centre as safe as possible for all of those who live, work and visit the area."
