Businesses demand emergency summit over unrest in Edinburgh’s Old Town

The Tron Area Business Group (TABG) allege the core of the Scottish capital is “corroding” as a result of violence, drug and alcohol abuse, and theft, with one of the country’s prime visitor attractions left in a “rot” as a result.

In an open letter to authorities, the group has stressed the need for “urgent attention” to address the issues, which it claims is blighting swathes of the Old Town and the broader Tron area.

The correspondence, which has been sent to First Minister Humza Yousaf and the city’s MSPs, claims that despite making representations last year to the City of Edinburgh Council and Police Scotland, the problems remain, with councillors lacking the authority to “bring about the concrete change” required.

“This state of affairs is in no way acceptable and it is paramount that we resist the urge to allow such behaviours to become normalised,” the businesses wrote. “A fresh approach and pro-active measures are urgently required to prevent the reputation of our historic Old Town and our magnificent city from further degradation.”

In February last year, the group accused the council and Police Scotland of conniving in "a breakdown in the social fabric of the wider Tron and High Street area”, and said the reality for businesses in the area was "unbelievable levels of theft and attempted theft".

Now, in an escalation of their concerns, the group has pinpointed a series of “reprehensible activities” it says are blighting the Royal Mile, High Street, and South and North Bridge, as well as other thoroughfares, including Chamber Street, Infirmary Street, St Mary’s Street, Jeffrey Street, and George IV Bridge.

“We find ourselves once again compelled to shed light on these same issues, as the situation has yet to improve,” the group explained. “The lawlessness and extreme anti-social behaviour, including public indecency, intimidation, and threatening behaviour towards residents, business staff, and visitors to our beautiful capital city, have reached unprecedented and totally unacceptable levels.”

Specific issues flagged by the group include “commonplace” break-ins and attempted break-ins in the Tron area, “rowdy” and “abusive” groups congregating on South Bridge, and reports of staff in pubs and retail outlets being attacked or threatened.

Miles Briggs, the Scottish Conservative MSP for the Lothian region, said the disruption and abuse faced by Edinburgh residents and businesses in the Tron area was “completely unacceptable” and that he “wholeheartedly sympathised” with the aims of TABG.

A spokeswoman for the Edinburgh City Council said: “We’re committed to continuing to work with Police Scotland and other partners to address issues of anti-social behaviour in the capital. We take incidents around Hunter Square, The Tron and Royal Mile very seriously as the area is a prime public space in the centre of our beautiful city and we want to make sure it’s accessible and inviting to all.

"For example CCTV colleagues have installed a new digital camera within the area that has a pan tilt and zoom camera with an additional four static cameras, which are monitored 24/7.”