100 arrests as police target drug related disorder in Edinburgh
One hundred people have been arrested as part of a police crackdown on drug-related anti-social behaviour.
Officers in Edinburgh set up Operation Austinburg at the end of the summer in response to complaints from local residents and businesses in the south side of the city.
Since then, extra officers and council environmental wardens have been patrolling the area, focusing on common stairs and other areas where people were taking drugs.
So far, officers have made around 2,000 visits to stairs and public areas to deter drug use. They have also carried out five searches of properties in Potterow, Nicolson Street, Upper Grey Street and Dumbiedykes.
Police have also seized £15,000 of drugs from the streets during the ongoing operation.
Chief Inspector Mark Rennie, area commander for south Edinburgh, said: Our activity on the ground to tackle drug misuse and street dealing is having a real impact.''
Councillor Cammy Day, community safety leader for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: Anti-social behaviour can have a devastating effect on communities, and it is well known that drugs and alcohol can cause this type of behaviour to worsen.
We are committed to making communities safer and do so by working closely with Police Scotland on initiatives such as Operation Austinburg to help reduce these incidents.''