Police have arrested 17 people across Edinburgh and the Lothians for breaches of the government’s lockdown restrictions.
Figures released by Police Scotland covering the period from May 13 - May 20 show one further arrest in the Capital over the seven day period, with an additional five fixed penalty notices handed out to those flouting measures.
A total of 197 people have now been arrested across the country since officers were handed additional powers to enforce guidelines aimed at halting the spread of COVID-19 on March 27.
The release comes at the end of a week in which dozens were moved on from the Capital’s coastline as they flocked to Portobello to soak up the scorching temperatures despite the Scottish government’s message on lockdown remaining in place for at least the next week.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon published her road map for exiting lockdown on Thursday, with the promise a “gradual easing” of restrictions could take place next week - provided the infection rate remains stable.
According to the Police Scotland figures, around 200 people in the capital were ‘dispersed’ when informed they were breaching restrictions in the last week, with officers using “reasonable force” just twice to return people to their homes.
Only four arrests have been made across the Lothians, with two each in the East and Midlothian areas.
Stage one of the easing of lockdown - which could be introduced on May 28 - will allow Scots to use public outdoor spaces for recreational purposes, for example to sit in a public space like a park or beach.
One household will also be allowed to meet up with another household in small numbers as long as it is outdoors, however this can include gardens and social distancing is upheld.
The First Minister added we will also be permitted to travel short distances for outdoor leisure and exercise but advice is to stay within a short distance of your local community and travel by walk, wheel and cycle where possible.
