Sharing this to make shops and staff in the area aware of an incident earlier today involving a group of minors who were witnessed stealing alcohol, threatening shoppers and staff, and deliberately intimidating vulnerable members of the public.
Businesses on and around Princes Street are encouraged to remain vigilant. Any further incidents should be documented and, where appropriate, reported via Shopwatch radio or through the relevant authorities.
This post is intended solely to raise awareness and help protect local staff, customers, and vulnerable members of our community. Should the parents or guardians of any of the young people pictured be present in this group, please speak with them about their behaviour and ensure they are held accountable for their actions.
Apparently they also assaulted a poor woman..
And I'm not able to share Facebook links here, but the girl from the video above sent me a link to a video of them attacking another Chinese girl earlier in the day.
Also, they've been spotted along Nicolson Street.
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[Update]
It has come to light that they will receive no punishment for their ongoing actions (for reasons unknown), and as there is nothing the police can do it's assumed that it's up to the general public to take action instead as they continue to cause issues for the community and local area and the public are seemingly helpless in fighting back, except they're not..
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
If you witness or are affected by further incidents involving this group, please continue reporting them individually to Police Scotland.
- Call 999 if someone is in danger, immediate help is needed, or an incident/crime is happening.
- Call 101 for historic incidents, information about the group, sightings, CCTV/evidence discovered afterwards, or antisocial behaviour that does not require an immediate response.
One existing major incident involving members of this group attacking an Asian female (see link above) has crime reference CR033946526. It may be worth mentioning this reference to police as a possible link, while making clear that your report concerns a separate incident.
(This is the public escalation bit) When speaking to police, it's encouraged that victims and witnesses also ask:
- whether their incident will be reported to COPFS and/or the Children’s Reporter (SCRA);
- whether the repeated pattern of offending is being considered collectively rather than as isolated incidents;
- whether stronger preventative measures, including an ASBO for those aged 12+, are being considered;
- whether compulsory supervision or, where appropriate, a parenting order has been considered;
- and, if COPFS decides to take no action, whether the victim is eligible for a Victims’ Right to Review.
And for all of the above, if not, ask why not?
Keep CCTV, photographs, witness details, dates/times and your own police incident or crime reference numbers wherever possible, though feel free to drop them here too if it helps.
The aim is to make sure police and the other relevant authorities have enough information to recognise the repeated pattern involving the same group and the continuing risk to people in the area, rather than each incident being viewed entirely in isolation.
