By Naomi Mills
ALMOST 40 people have been arrested in an Edinburgh police operation targeting the city’s housebreakers.
Operation Accessible, which has carried out 37 arrests, ended its efforts on Friday after a three day crackdown that saw the Lothian and Borders Police carry out a number of early morning raids across the capital.
Chief Superintendent Gill Imery, A Division Commander, said: “Over three days our officers targeted suspected serial offenders, and sent a strong message that Lothian and Borders Police will take decisive action to protect our communities from harm.
“Operation Accessible has delivered a major blow against alleged housebreakers and other criminals whose activities cause so much misery in our local communities.
“We want the public to play their part by helping us identify criminals in their community in order that we can take the kind of action seen under Operation Accessible – rest assured any information received will be acted on, and treated in the strictest confidence.”
Lothian and Borders police have recovered £200,000 worth of stolen property and £3,000 worth of drugs in the seven months of the operations life.
Alan Boyter, Director of Human Resources and Organisational Development at NHS Lothian, said: “The success of Operation Accessible is to be applauded. The impact of drugs on our local communities is an important social issue as it causes grave harm to individuals and families.
Councillor Paul Edie, Community Safety Leader for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “The 37 arrests during this operation have shown the police’s commitment to bringing to justice lawbreakers who cause upset and misery in the very heart of our communities. Many families will now be able to enjoy the festive season without the trauma of having their home broken into.
“The public have played an important role in this operation and I would urge everyone to continue contacting the police with any information about criminal activity. Together we can all makeEdinburgh a safer place to live and work in.
“The message ringing out loud and clear is a simple one: ‘There is no hiding place for you in Edinburgh.’”
