The Edinburgh neighbourhoods under 'dispersal zones' ahead of bonfire night
Edinburgh police have announced number of neighbourhoods will be under 'dispersal zones'.
13 areas in the city are going to be under the watchful eye of police officers ahead of bonfire night. In a statement, Police Scotland said they believe groups of people may cause alarm or distress to members of the public.
The dispersal zones will be in place within Gorgie, Saughton, Oxgangs, Liberton, Gilmerton, Gracemount, Portobello, Niddrie, Moredun, Muirhouse, Craigentinny, Pilton and Edinburgh City Centre. It will be enforceable from 2pm on November 1 to midnight on November 5.
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Police Scotland Edinburgh adds: 'We use this power where we have reasonable grounds to believe that the presence or behaviour of a group of two or more people in any public place is causing, or likely to cause, alarm or distress to any members of the public.
"An officer utilising Dispersal Zone powers may give:
1. A direction requiring persons in the group to disperse.
2. A direction requiring any of those persons whose place of residence is not within the relevant locality to leave the relevant locality.
3. A direction prohibiting any of those persons whose place of residence is not within the relevant locality from returning to the relevant locality or any part of it during such period (not exceeding 24 hours) from giving of the direction as the constable may specify.
"If you knowingly contravene a direction given by an officer within a Dispersal Zone under these powers, you can be subject to an arrest without warrant."
This comes nearly a year after Niddrie was locked down by police after a gang of around 100 youths attacked firefighters and ambulance staff with fireworks and petrol bombs.
Sighthill also suffered a similar disorder.
Some neighbourhoods in Edinburgh have also been placed under 'firework control zones' ahead of Guy Fawkes night.
The new rules make it a criminal offence to use a firework in such zones on specific dates, unless as part of a display licensed by the local authority.
Those who commit an offence could face imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or a fine not exceeding of up to £10,000 (or both).