The amount of pupils attending the popular Risk Factory community safety centre in Edinburgh has increased from last year.

Once again, the centre has been extremely busy with 93% of Lothian Primary Schools attending in 2008/09 - an increase of 9% from the last academic year.

From August 2008 to June 2009, over 7,500 pupils visited the centre which is an increase from the last academic year when around 7,000 pupils attended.

The number of sessions booked at the centre has also increased by 12% from 227 in 2007/08 to 255 in 2008/09. And the total number of school booking sessions has increased by 15% from 201 in 2007/08 to 232 in 2008/09.

The Risk Factory has been a success story since it opened in February 2007. When it opened, it was Scotland's first interactive community safety centre with the aim of teaching young people, how to stay safe and to help others do the same.

Inside the building, realistic settings are used to highlight safety messages. Scenarios are set up by a dedicated team of volunteers and sets include a house, road, bus, shops, railway line and a building site to name but a few.

Councillor Paul Edie, Community Safety Leader, said: "It's fantastic to see the Risk Factory go from strength to strength. The centre is a great environment for children to learn about dangerous or anti-social behaviour, reducing incidents and dealing with emergencies in the future. I would like to commend all the volunteers who help make the centre such a roaring success."

Thomas McGrath, Community Safety (Residential and Education) at Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service, said: "Our Fire Education Advisor, seconded to the Risk Factory and responsible for running the house fire scenario, regularly receives excellent feedback from participants.

"We know they take away valuable life lessons which remain memorable because of the stimulating learning environment. It's really good news that the number attending the centre is increasing as more children will benefit from the superb facilities and learn skills which can keep them and those they know safe from harm."

The Risk Factory is funded by the City of Edinburgh Council, East Lothian Council, Midlothian Council, West Lothian Council, Lothian and Borders Police and Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service. It is located in a purpose built unit in Chesser and is staffed by City of Edinburgh Council employees.