Police seize tartan tat in raids

POLICE have helped seize "tartan tat" and advertisements from shops on the Royal Mile to help de-clutter the famous street.

Kilts, souvenir T-shirts and kilt towels are among a haul of more than 40 items taken in the raids on gift shops.

The confiscated items, including ten advertising boards, were judged by the council's city centre roads staff to be blocking the pavement.

Traders have reacted angrily to the move, accusing the police and council of "stealing" their property.

All goods sitting on the pavement were seized in the sweep and traders have been warned they face fines of up to £1000 before they will be returned.

Shop assistant Michael Wrozek was working in the Heritage of Scotland shop on the High Street when he noticed some of its kilts which had been hanging outside the shop were missing.

At first he thought they had been stolen, until a customer described seeing police and officials taking them.

After contacting the council, he said: "I was told if something was sticking out more than two inches from the wall it needed to be taken down. I don't remember any letter about it."

Whiski Bar owner Anne Still's £300 custom-made sign was seized for being 20cm too tall.

She said: "They didn't even have the courtesy to come in and talk to us. They just took it.

"I have wasted police time now reporting it, and I wasted hours checking my CCTV because I thought someone had pinched it."

Rebecca Staples, general manager, added: "People look at the menu on the big board and decide to come in, so basically now we're going to lose business.

"Some shops had stock lifted. It's like theft."

Council rules introduced last year dictate where exactly advertising boards can be placed, and restrict board sizes to one metre in height and 0.75 metres in width.

The raids were described as a great success by councillor Robert Aldridge, the city's environment leader, who warned they would be repeated elsewhere.

"All affected businesses were pre-warned about this action both verbally and by letter, sent by recorded delivery," he said. "This crackdown went very well, and we were delighted with the high level of compliance shown by the majority of Royal Mile businesses.

"Although some goods were found obstructing the footway, these were predominantly oversized advertising boards, which were removed in line with the council's policy."

He said the crackdown was ordered after some shops ignored repeated warnings.

Old Town Community Council planning secretary Bill Cowan said officials had gone too far.

"There is no need for these A-boards, but when it comes to stock it is a different matter. We are desperate to encourage retail in the Old Town," he said.

"These rules say no stock at all and we don't agree with that. We want to try to encourage individual retailers."


Are the authorities right to seize goods from outside the shops?

Liz Barron, 50, sales assistant, Bingham: "If there's still enough room for shoppers and residents to go past, it shouldn't be a problem. If they've got stuff outside it draws people in."

Margaret Macdonald, 77, retired finance assistant, Baberton Mains Place: "There are parts where I don't think it would be a problem, but there are other parts where the pavement is quite narrow, so it should be discretionary."

Jim Taylor, 54, taxi driver, The Murrays Brae: "That's not a police matter. The police always say they don't have time to do this, that and the other. Why are they doing this?"

THE RESULTS

THE council seized:

• 15 souvenir T-shirts

• 6 assorted kilts

• 7 kilt towels

• 10 advertising boards

• 2 waterproof jackets

• 4 wall brackets