Scottish Government urged to review policing in city after ‘stabbings’
THE Scottish Government has been urged to act after alleged stabbings in Edinburgh.
Three teenage boys were rushed to hospital after an alleged attack near Portobello beach on Saturday.
And a 47-year-old man was hurt in an alleged blade assault in the city's Abbeyhill area on Monday.
Chris Murray, Labour MP for Edinburgh East and Musselburgh, has voiced concerns over the incidents and hit out over "inadequate and insufficient" police resources.
The politician warned that he has been inundated with reports of anti-social behaviour in Portobello and neighbouring areas.
Mr Murray has called on Justice Secretary Angela Constance to carry out an urgent review of the policing capacity in the capital.
Read more Scottish news
Three boys, two aged 18 and one aged 17, were hurt in an alleged blade attack on Bath Street and Mentone Avenue around 10.55pm on Saturday.
A 21-year-old man was later arrested and charged.
Emergency crews rushed to London Road around 6am on Monday after reports of an alleged stabbing.
A 48-year-old man was later arrested and charged.
Most read in The Scottish Sun
In an open letter to Ms Constance, Mr Murray wrote: "I am writing to you to raise my concern that the resources made available to Police Scotland is inadequate and insufficient.
"As I am sure you are aware, in the last 72 hours my constituency of Edinburgh East and Musselburgh has been witness to two separate incidents, leaving four people in hospital and communities across Edinburgh shaken. One in Abbeyhill, the second in Portobello.
"In the last twelve months, you will also be aware of several police stations across Edinburgh being forced to close and reallocate resources across fewer operational bases. One of those stations was located in Portobello, following its closure last year.
"Over recent weeks my inbox has been flooded with report after report of public urination and anti-social behaviour along Portobello promenade and the surrounding areas.
"The reoccurring theme in all correspondence on this topic is a clear concern that the level of crime outweighs the resources at the police force's disposal. Residents see with clarity that patrolling resources available is under strain and unable to cope. This no more obvious than in Portobello.
"I am deeply concerned that incidents across Portobello, and Edinburgh, over the weekend only fuels the anxiety and deepens the concerns my constituents feel. Residents in both communities are in shock following these violent events, they are looking to the Scottish Government for assurances that they are committed to properly funding a police force that will keep them and their families safe.
"It is clear to me, and local residents, the resources available to police are far from adequate. I do not have confidence that enough officers are available to Police Scotland in Edinburgh to prevent and respond to criminal activity in our city.
"Just last month, the chair of the Scottish Police Federation warned of an 'almost invisible policing presence'.
"Please can you as the Justice Secretary responsible for policing in Scotland, reassure me and my constituents that you will immediately review the policing capacity in Edinburgh? Can you confirm that current police resources are fit to face the challenges officers face across Edinburgh day to day?
"Can you explain to my constituents why stations across Edinburgh, like Portobello Police Station, were forced to close despite persistent anti-social behaviour."
Mr Murray added: "Finally, I want to put on record my admiration for individual officers who bravely protect our communities. However, my concern is that they are being let down by politicians. At the UK Budget, the Chancellor ended austerity and gave the Scottish Government a record-breaking budget settlement - the biggest since devolution.
"Will any of that money go to extra policing in Edinburgh, given our clear need? Can you please outline how the Scottish Government will use the largest devolution settlement in history to ensure that my constituents can feel safe in their own community?"
Last month, the Scottish Police Federation warned that parts of Scotland are becoming policing "deserts".
Speaking during the SPF's annual conference, chair David Threadgold warned of "chronic underinvestment" in the force and officers quitting due to a lack of acceptable resources and mounting pressure.
David Kennedy, general secretary of the SPF, said: "Officers put themselves on the line every day to keep communities in Scotland safe, and they deserve the resources and backing needed to do their jobs effectively.
"I share the deep concerns of many residents about the closure of local stations like Portobello Police Station, especially at a time when communities are facing rising levels of anti-social behaviour and violent crime. It is vital that the policing strategy reflects the realities on the ground and ensures visibility, accessibility, and rapid response in every neighbourhood.
"However, that can only be achieved with proper funding, and record-breaking budget settlements provided to the Scottish Government, provides a clear opportunity for them to act which to date hasn’t happened. The Chief Constable has the operational autonomy and responsibility, but government has to provide the money to invest in frontline policing.
Read more on the Scottish Sun
"Our communities deserve to be safe and to feel safe, and our Police officers deserve better."
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We are investing a record £1.62 billion for policing in 2025-26 – an increase of £70 million on 2024-25 – and Police Scotland took on more recruits in 2024-25 than at any time since 2013, with more intakes planned this year. Scotland continues to have more police officers per capita than England and Wales and recorded crime is at one of the lowest levels since 1974.”