Edinburgh City Council has touted international approval of its steps to reduce crime after it was confirmed that officials from The Hague are to visit the capital to pick up tips on how to reduce criminal offences.

The visit comes following a 20 per cent fall in group 1-5 crimes in the capital over the past 6 months.

The delegation from the Netherland’s third largest city, including its mayor Jozias van Aartsen, are to be shown the work of Edinburgh City Council’s community safety division this week, as well as visiting important community safety facilities throughout the city centre.

Speaking of the visit, Councillor Paul Edie, community safety leader said: “we are pleased to host this visit, so we can show how the model used by Lothian and Borders Police and the Council is producing results and cutting crime. I look forward to discussing our approach with Mayor van Aartsten and other members of the delegation.”

The drop in group 1-5 crimes, which include vandalism and violence, has been attributed by many at the council and police to the introduction of neighbourhood action units, and subsequent action on antisocial behaviour based on intelligence from local communities.

As reported in The Journal on 15 October there has also been a 21 per cent fall in nightclub crime in the city centre following the first year of the Unight scheme, established to create a database of known troublemakers to Edinburgh venues.

The delegations trip to the capital has received praise from Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill, who will meet the delegates during their visit. He said: “there is some excellent work to tackle violence in Edinburgh and it’s great to see officials from the Hague taking the time to come and find out more about it.

"We know that communities across Scotland are blighted by violent crime, much of it fuelled by alcohol. That’s why we’re working with our police forces and the national Violence Reduction Unit on a twin track approach of tough enforcement and educational work to change the culture.”

He added: “in Edinburgh, specific initiatives, such as neighbourhood action units and the Edinburgh violence reduction unit are making a real difference in local communities. I hope this combination of local and national work can make Scotland safer and stronger.”

The visit is likely to further ease the minds of those who fear that city centre crime is becoming endemic, and certainly suggests that these measures are tackling the problems.

A spokesperson for Lothian and Borders police echoed Mr MacAskill’s sentiments, offering an explanation of what had brought about the fall in city centre crime.

“The neighbourhood action units, launched in February 2008, have had a significant impact on vandalism and anti-social behaviour across Edinburgh and the central policing team, part funded by the City of Edinburgh Council, has a clear remit to provide public reassurance in the heart of Scotland’s capital.”

He continued “The Edinburgh Violence Reduction Programme, a multi-agency programme, focuses on a series of measures to tackle violence against women, street violence and alcohol abuse with the message that violence is not acceptable across Edinburgh.”