Edinburgh police to patrol massive ‘unofficial’ car meet at capital retail park
Police Scotland[1] has said it will be putting on extra police patrols at the Hermiston Gait park-and-ride facility after a massive unofficial car rally[2] has been planned for Saturday December 2. The event has been advertised on Facebook with around 650 people stating that they will attend the gathering that is set to kick off at 7pm. Scottish Conservative[3] MSP Sue Webber said that police responded to her requests for a heightened police presence in the area.
It is understood that road patrols as well as community officers will be dedicated to the “Edinburgh Mega Meet.” MSP Webber says that local residents have complained on five occasions in the past year, citing reports of dangerous driving in the car park and on surrounding roads, fireworks, loud music and drug taking. Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters[6] for more headlines straight to your inbox
“I know officers are badly over-stretched and residents have been disappointed by the response in the past, but I am very glad the police are taking this seriously and will be out in force this weekend,” MSP Webber said. “Not only is there a chance that eventually someone will be seriously injured or even killed by reckless driving, but these gatherings are also causing a serious disturbance for nearby residents and they should be able to enjoy a Saturday evening without fear and alarm,” she added. Join Edinburgh Live’s Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.[7]
MSP Webber says that she has made a request to Facebook to take down the site, but that the event page is still available.
References
- ^ Police Scotland (www.edinburghlive.co.uk)
- ^ unofficial car rally (www.edinburghlive.co.uk)
- ^ Scottish Conservative (www.edinburghlive.co.uk)
- ^ West Lothian woman slams door in intruders face after they tried to enter home (www.edinburghlive.co.uk)
- ^ Edinburgh M8 motorists face 40 minute delay following collision (www.edinburghlive.co.uk)
- ^ Edinburgh Live newsletters (www.edinburghlive.co.uk)
- ^ Edinburgh Live’s Whatsapp Community here (chat.whatsapp.com)