TRACY Gilbert MP has highlighted increased rates of crime in Leith due to the UK Government’s newly proposed Crime and Policing Bill 2024-25.
The MP spoke in the House of Commons yesterday, referencing “baby gangs” made up of teenagers, who have been responsible for increased rates of youth crime in Leith and north Edinburgh.
The UK Government is planning to introduce a new Crime and Policing Bill, which would support their “safer streets” mission with aims to halve knife crime and violence against women and girls within one decade.
Gilbert also said she is pleased that the bill will protect shop workers, a measure that has already been in place in Scotland since being introduced by Daniel Johnson MSP in 2021, making it an offence to abuse or assault shop workers.
Gilbert shared snippets of her speech in the House of Commons yesterday, saying: “I have had many constituents tell me fearful stories of the ‘baby gangs’ within Leith.
“I am so pleased to see that the Crime and Policing Bill will help tackle this issue and includes provisions to the misuse of off-road bikes and motorbikes.
“That is why, although devolved, I took the chance to highlight this issue in the House of Commons.
“No one should be in fear of groups of young people, especially those on motorbikes in parks and community areas.”
In her speech she said: “Over the past few months, constituents have relayed to me their concerns over a group of young people who have been dubbed the baby gang.
“Their name may seem non-threatening but their actions are.
“Madam deputy speaker, the actions of the baby gang have alarmed my constituents and made them afraid.
“The tragedy is that many of these gang members are only in their mid-teens.
“During the general election, constituents told me repeatedly how they are fed up of offroad bikes being used in parks and pavements.
“That’s why I am so pleased to see that the bill will not only include provisions to tackle anti-social behaviour, but also the use of motorbikes used in this manner”.
Just last month, multiple parks in Edinburgh were torn up by off-road vehicles, in areas such as Bruntsfield, Saughton, Sighthill and Liberton.
MP for Edinburgh South Ian Murray commented on the destruction at the time and anti-social behaviour in The Meadows, confirming: “Over the past few months, officers have seized eight e-bikes and dirt bikes from individuals riding irresponsibly, and they have assured me that patrols in The Meadows will be considered within their patrol matrix.
“However, due to the huge strain on police resources, they are struggling to cover all areas experiencing similar issues.”
Last week, Police Scotland for Edinburgh issued a statement saying: “Over the weekend, a number of business premises in Edinburgh were broken into and items were stolen.
“Police Scotland are asking business owners to be mindful of the attached advice and to ensure their properties are adequately secured.”
This follows multiple armed robberies in Edinburgh in the past months including one where a pole was used and another where shop owners were punched and throttled by assailants.
MSP for Edinburgh North and Leith, Ben Macpherson condemned youth crime in Parliament earlier this year calling it a “very serious problem”.
A spokesperson for Ben has confirmed that since then, improvements have been seen locally, and Ben has engaged a number of times with local police, youth work organisations, and schools to discuss the work they are doing to tackle this issue. He will continue to engage with all key parties, as well as represent his constituents’ concerns.
