NEWS: Underworld

Mark McLaughlin
Edinburgh Evening News
July 31, 2008

POLICE have upped patrols and installed CCTV at a series of underpasses which have been the scene of ten violent attacks in the past year.

Members of the public say they are terrified to go near the six pedestrian walkways on Calder Road, Sighthill, after a string of incidents, including assaults on two frail pensioners and a knifepoint robbery on a pregnant mother-of-two.

Some residents are even risking their lives by crossing the busy dual carriageway rather than using the tunnels.

Keith Bell, secretary of the Sighthill, Broomhouse and Parkhead Community Council, said police had failed to allay concerns and called for the underpasses to be closed.

He said: "Our own chairwoman won't go near the underpasses and she's not the only one. The 77-year-old that was attacked last month is now a virtual recluse."

The woman suffered a broken pelvis and elbow after being robbed at the underpass in June.

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of an 18-year-old man in connection with the attack following a CCTV appeal by police.

Meanwhile, 69-year-old Mary Hall, who fended off an attacker at the Longstone Road underpass in February, now refuses to go near the road.

Inspector Andrew Gilhooley recently wrote to residents after concerns were raised at a local community partnership meeting in May.

He said: "A problem profile has been carried out on the number and types of incidents that have occurred in and around the six underpasses that traverse the Calder Road, covering from Calder View to Saughton Road. The result of this is that 15 incidents are recorded over the past calendar year.

"These figures are broken down to ten incidents involving violence and five of antisocial behaviour. In direct response to the incident at Sighthill, high-visibility patrols have been carried out aimed at public reassurance and CCTV cameras installed.

"Police are committed to tackling all crime, particularly violent crime in a robust manner in all our communities."