CCTV is being looked into.
Cllr Marie-Clair Munro - Morningside ward - facebook
'Update; What happened in Morningside
today!
There was a significant emergency services response on Morningside Road this afternoon, with police and fire crews attending and part of the road being closed while the situation was investigated.
Police Scotland confirmed that emergency services were called to Morningside Road at around 2pm after a report that an unknown substance had been found on a lamppost. The road was closed to allow enquiries to take place, and the substance was tested.
Thankfully, police have now confirmed that the substance posed no threat to the public and the road has since reopened.
Speaking to people locally this evening, there are also unconfirmed reports that coloured tape has been appearing around the area, particularly on the lamppost in the middle of the road opposite Matto Pizza. There is speculation locally that the individual or individuals responsible for putting up the tape and graffiti elsewhere in the area may have subsequently put some form of substance or chemical over the tape, potentially making it more difficult for council workers to remove.
It is important to stress that this part has NOT been confirmed by police or emergency services and should be treated as local speculation only.
What is clear, though, is that this was treated as a potentially serious hazardous-materials incident. When an unknown chemical or substance is reported in a busy residential area, emergency services have to assume there could be a risk until it has been properly identified and assessed. That can mean closing roads, keeping members of the public away and bringing in specialist personnel and equipment to establish exactly what they are dealing with.
Thankfully, the testing established that there was no threat to the public, but the fact that emergency services had to respond and assess the substance shows why reports like this have to be taken extremely seriously.
A huge thank you to Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and all the emergency service personnel involved today for responding quickly, securing the area and making sure the situation was properly assessed before the road was reopened.
It does, however, raise questions about how the substance came to be there in the first place and whether there is any connection to the tape and graffiti that residents say have been appearing elsewhere around Morningside.
Hopefully the full circumstances will become clearer as enquiries continue.'
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'Following the incidents on Morningside Road yesterday, I will be asking the Council to look at whether CCTV could be introduced in the area where the incidents have occurred.
Yesterday’s events were a reminder of how important it is that residents and businesses feel safe in their own community. CCTV isn’t the answer to everything, but it can be an important tool in helping deter crime and antisocial behaviour, supporting Police Scotland with investigations and giving reassurance to local residents.
I want to work constructively with the Council, Police Scotland and local residents to see what practical measures can be put in place to improve safety in the area.
Our communities should be places where people feel safe, confident and reassured, and I’ll continue to push for sensible measures that can help achieve that.'