Officers in Edinburgh have been leading more stringent patrols across the south west area of the city, following reports of fire-raising and anti-social behaviour in the neighbourhood.
A group of Edinburgh vandals were described as "senseless" after destroying a number of green spaces in Sighthill.
Taking place over the last week, the incidents have seen significant damage in Sighthill Park, as well as the local woodlands and rugby pitches.
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And yet another fire had to be put out by emergency services in Edinburgh on Tuesday night.
Emergency services attended Sighthill Park in the neighbourhood of Broomhouse in Edinburgh on February 1, after a pile of rubbish was set alight at approximately 7:30pm.
Firefighters extinguished the blaze, but had to be protected by police as there was a large presence of youths in the area, following the attack last week.
From January 28 to January 30, police received upwards of 15 calls in relation to anti-social behaviour in the same area, and firefighters had stones thrown at them.
Police said that “matters escalated” at around 6.55pm on Friday, January 28, when Scottish Fire and Rescue Service crews had stones thrown at them.
The police confirmed that no one was injured, but said that “enquiries into the matter are continuing”.
And now, the south west Edinburgh cops posted an update on their Twitter, stating: "After more reports of fires in the Sighthill Park area, local community officers were out on foot last night engaging with @scotfire_Edin & local residents. Setting fires is dangerous.
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"If the young people in your care come home smelling of smoke - intervene #WhereTheresSmoke."
A reply to this tweet read: "It's getting out of hand: fire raising, out of control gangs, constant break-ins of outhouses, car thefts, vandalism of everything, vulnerable people attacks and robberies, house invasions, rife graffiti, the list is relentless. Used to be a safer place to live."
Councillor Ashley Graczyk of the Sighthill and Gorgie area said: "It is just awful to see these acts of vandalism happen in our well-loved and public owned park.
"This is immensely upsetting and disheartening for the local community who love and use this beautiful green space."It is also disappointing for council officers, and other stakeholders who have put so much work into this community asset for the enjoyment of all.
"The Council is looking to deploy CCTV cameras asap and the police now working to identify the individuals and take appropriate action.
"I have liaised with the police to increase community police patrols in the area to try to prevent further damage and that they continue with their prevention and intervention work within the vicinity.
"I encourage anyone who has seen, or heard anything to please contact the police as soon as possible."
