Cops will step up patrols at the Meadows after violence erupted at the Edinburgh park last weekend.
Police Scotland will provide extra high visibility patrols around the area to avoid a repeat of the chaotic scenes seen at the park during the Easter bank holiday weekend.
Trouble flared as thousands descended on the park while the capital enjoyed warm weather.
It was also the first weekend since the ‘stay at home’ lockdown order came to an end across Scotland.
A police officer was reportedly hospitalised with a facial injury while trying to break up a 'brawl' that broke out at the park on Saturday. A number of people were also arrested and charged at the park that day.
Police Scotland will now provide ‘targeted patrols’ in the area this weekend in response to the incident.
The force said that it is working with Edinburgh City Council to prevent these scenes from happening again.
Chief Superintendent Sean Scott, of Edinburgh Police Division, said: “Following ongoing issues with disorder in areas in Edinburgh, we are planning extra high visibility patrols this weekend.
“This is in direct response to the anti-social behaviour we have seen in recent weeks in our green spaces, but especially the Meadows area, which has been completely unacceptable.
“The operation this weekend will provide targeted patrols in those areas which have become an issue to disrupt anyone intent on causing trouble. I want to make it clear, this behaviour will not be tolerated, and indeed a number of individuals have now been arrested and charged for various offences connected to last weekend’s incidents.
“We are working closely with the council and are committed to tackling these issues together, both in the immediate future and long-term."
Police are also urging people to continue to stick with Covid rules as lockdown restrictions ease up over the coming weeks.
He added: “I would also like to remind people of the current coronavirus legislation following the huge numbers of people seen in the Meadows last weekend.
“The coronavirus regulations have had a significant impact on our lives and I would like to thank the vast majority of people who are sticking to the rules and doing the right thing to avoid the spread of the virus as we move through the easing of restrictions.
“Our approach throughout the pandemic has been to engage with the public, explain the legislation and encourage compliance, but we will not hesitate to use our enforcement powers as a last resort.”
