Not my usual Saturday night....

Im the co-chair of the Independant Working Group on Anti-social Behaviour. With my co-chair, Fiona Dyer, and other group members, we have been taking evidence from a whole cast of characters - all with skin in the game - on how we can understand and prevent ASB.

https://www.gov.scot/publications/reviewing-scotlands-approach-antisocial-behaviour/documents/

That's why I found myself being blue lit through the streets of Edinburgh on saturday night, in the company of 2 of Alan B. 's best officers! Edinburgh Police are keen to enable transparency and openess to their work and invited me to ride-a-long and see, 1st hand, how they respond to anti social bevahiour and other activity, on the ground.

I won't say too much about what we saw/did for obvious reasons, but its fair to say that it exposed me to some of the challenges and solutions involved in keeping our local communities safe.

One of our call outs involved #youngpeople #bonfires and #fireworks - imagine how interesting that is to a former member of the Fireworks Review group! Facinating to see that work playing out. On the ground. In communities. https://www.gov.scot/publications/firework-review-group-report-scottish-government/

Chatting to Charlie and Suze, gave me a real sense of how our local officers view what's happening in our communities and what potential solutions could be. Having the opportunity to listen in to their conversations with local people, many of whom were already known to them, gave me an understanding of the level of knowledge and relationships our police officers have in their own communituies. Not funny to have fireworks shot over our heads though!

I'm left with so much to think about. But holding to to my unshakeable views that we can and must do more to PREVENT ASB in our communities and lots of thoughts about how we can.

I'm interested to hear your thoughts - send to [email protected]

Huge thanks to Police Scotland Westerhailes Police, Charlie and Suze.