A 39-year-old man has been arrested and charged following an investigation into an assault on board a bus at Inverleith Gardens, Edinburgh.
The incident took place around 4.20pm on Saturday, 9 December, 2023.
The man has been released on an undertaking and is expected to appear at court at a later date.
Constable Rachael McIntyre said: “I would like to thank the public for their assistance with our enquiries into this incident.”
Police issue CCTV appeal following assault on board bus at Inverleith
Police Scotland have released images of a man they wish to speak to who may be able to assist with enquiries into an assault which took place on board a number 9 bus on Saturday, 9 December, 2023.
The incident on the took place whilst the bus was at Inverleith Gardens at around 4:20pm.
The man is described as white, slim build, brown hair and facial hair and aged between 25 to 30 years old. He was wearing a dark grey suit with a purple tie.
Constable Rachael McIntyre said: “We are keen to speak to this man, who may be able to assist us with our enquiries. I would encourage him or anyone who may recognise him to contact us as soon as possible”.
Anyone who can assist is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 2431 of 9 December, 2023.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.
More than nine in 10 tradespeople say they or someone they know have been victims of theft
Research shows 88% of those surveyed are concerned about the ongoing issue
Almost a third of tradespeople admit the fear of theft contributes to negative mental health
60% in the industry do not believe mental health is spoken about openly
NFU Mutual is a proud supporter of Samaritans, whose volunteers offer emotional support to anyone who is struggling
More than nine in 10 tradespeople have been targeted by criminals as the fear of theft and violence puts a strain on the industry, alarming stats reveal.
New research* from commercial insurer NFU Mutual found that more than nine in 10 tradespeople (92%) say they or someone they know have been a victim of theft.
In the last 12 months alone, 53% of those surveyed said they had experienced tool or equipment theft, just shy of half had materials pinched, almost three in 10 had a vehicle stolen and 23% were victims of organised crime.
And those figures clearly weigh heavily on those in the industry, with almost a third of tradespeople (29%) admitting that the fear of theft and violence on their business contributes towards difficulties with mental health.
The rising cost of living (42%), financial worries (41%), stress of the job (39%), long hours (35%) and a lack of regular work (33%) were the other factors.
With almost nine in 10 tradespeople concerned about the threat of their equipment being stolen, NFU Mutual is urging workers to remain vigilant.
Zoe Knight, Commercial Specialist at NFU Mutual, said: “Theft of tradespeople’s tools or equipment continues to blight the industry and the fact 92% of people surveyed say they – or someone they know – have been a victim speaks volumes.
“Tradespeople rely on this equipment for their income and livelihood, with crime hitting not just their pocket but, as our research shows, also having a huge and negative impact on their mental health.
“To see a third of tradespeople fearing theft or violence in their day-to-day job is worrying and we would urge tradespeople to do all they can to offput the threat of that happening – via security measures and recording serial numbers of equipment.
“We want tradespeople to feel supported and protected should the worst happen and know there is also help available for those struggling.”
A report by Builders Merchants News* revealed in December that texts to a construction charity helpline had seen an increase of 105% after the launch of an initiative to take the mental health message across the UK.
That could pave the way for more open conversations, with NFU Mutual’s survey showing that more than half of respondents believe that mental health isn’t spoken about openly in the trades industry.
While more than three-quarters of tradespeople did say they were confident or fairly confident they would know where to go for support if they were struggling, worryingly, almost four in 10 (36%) said it is unlikely they would seek help if they had mental health problems.
Commercial insurer NFU Mutual is a proud supporter of Samaritans, a charity which offers round the clock emotional support to anyone struggling to cope.
Jason Jaspal, Assistant Director of Business Development at Samaritans, added: “Samaritans offers a listening ear and a safe space to share how you’re feeling 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
“It’s vital that tradespeople reach out for support when they are finding life tough, rather than letting things build up and potentially reaching a crisis point. It doesn’t matter what they’re finding challenging, Samaritans is here so they don’t have to face things alone.”
NFU Mutual Risk Management Services is sharing the following advice to tradespeople:
Minimise storage of tools and equipment in vans: a robust, lockable building is preferable. Consider intruder alarms for high value equipment.
If you have to leave tools and equipment in a van, make sure it’s alarmed and, as a minimum, park against a wall so that doors cannot be opened easily.
Don’t make it easy for thieves to guess that equipment is kept inside (a van or a building) e.g. by leaving items on display and leaving tools around which may assist an intruder.
Store portable items within a robust, lockable store that is fixed in place.
Restrict and control vehicular access to the work site.
Consider video security system (temporary systems and temporary intruder alarm systems are available for site use).
Security mark your tools and equipment (e.g. forensic, engraving or permanent marking) to deter thieves and aid recovery.
Don’t stockpile high value materials such as lead and copper or leave them around for longer than necessary.
For construction vehicles use CESAR marking, tracking and immobilisation to prevent and trace thieves.
Check all locks and security measures before leaving any site e.g. alarms switched on, cameras facing the right direction and security lights working.
A 29-year-old man has been jailed after previously pleading guilty to the murder of a man and the serious assault of a woman in Granton last March.
Sam Atkins (pictured) appeared at the High Court in Glasgow today and was sentenced to 18 years.
Officers were called to a flat in the Granton Crescent area on 25 March, 2023, following a report of a disturbance.
Charles Paul, aged 69, was found with fatal injuries. A 36-year-old woman was found with serious but not life-threatening injuries and taken to hospital for treatment.
Atkins was arrested at the scene and he was charged the following day.
Detective Chief Inspector George Calder said: “We welcome the sentencing and hope that it brings some kind of closure for Charles’s family and friends and that of the woman also.
“These were despicable and callous acts carried out by Atkins, who showed an utter disregard for the life of Charles Paul or for the woman he seriously assaulted.
“I would like to thank all officers involved for their dedication and commitment throughout the investigation as well as those members of the public who assisted with our enquiries.”
Tracker’s total recovery value for the month was £1,161,252.
We made 58 Tracker recoveries which resulted in:
13 arrests
5 chop shops uncovered
27 other non-Tracker fitted vehicles recovered as result of Tracker activations.
To date we have recovered over £596m worth of vehicles.
Theft highlights:
Toyota C-HR Sport – Worth £28,183, recovered from a chop shop in Romford in under 6 hours with 15 other non-Tracker fitted vehicles and 4 arrests made.
Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG – Worth £12,000, stolen from Cambridge, recovered in under 6 hours, 3 arrests made.
Citroen C3 – Worth £16,000, stolen from Hertfordshire, recovered in under an hour, 2 arrests made.
Lexus 250H – Worth £24,925, recovered from Wishaw in under 4 hours with 2 other non-Tracker fitted vehicles.
Toyota RAV4 – Worth 18,000, recovered from London Gateway Docks in under 48 hours with 4 other non-Tracker fitted vehicles .
Kawasaki MULE Pro DX – Worth £22,000, stolen from Radstock, recovered in under 2 hours.
Porsche 911 Carrera – Worth £26,000, recovered from Harpenden in under an hour with 1 other non-Tracker fitted vehicle.
Peugeot 2008 GT – Worth £9,000, stolen from South Yorkshire, recovered in under 7 hours.
Fiat Roller Team Motorhome – Worth £50,000, stolen from Sittingbourne, recovered in under an hour.
Maxus Deliver 9 – Worth £27,000, stolen from Slough, recovered in less than 30 minutes from Tracker activation!
Police in Edinburgh have released CCTV images of three women who they believe may be able to assist them in relation to a missing defibrillator.
The defibrillator was taken from St Leonard’s Police Station, 14 St Leonard’s Street, Edinburgh around 7pm on Monday, 30 October, 2023.
Police Constable Stephen Neilson, Howdenhall Police Station, said: “We believe these women may have information that could assist our enquiries. I would ask anyone who recognises them or has any information to come forward.
“You can contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 3168 of 30 October, 2023. Alternatively Crime stoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
Drugs worth a six-figure sum have been recovered by police in Edinburgh.
Around 11.40 am on Thursday, 11 January 2024, police acting under warrant recovered a quantity of controlled drugs whilst searching addresses in Lochend Quadrant and Lochend Road South, Edinburgh.
The drugs, believed to be diamorphine, crack cocaine and cannabis, have a combined estimated street value of £247,500. A five-figure sum of cash was also recovered.
Two men, aged 57 and 30 years, have been arrested and charged following the find. They are due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today (Friday, 12 January ). A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.
Detective Inspector Gavin Howat, Edinburgh Pro-active CID, said: “Officers will continue to disrupt the supply and possession of drugs in our area.
“This work often relies on the support of the public, so if you have any information or concerns about drug misuse, please call Police Scotland on 101 or report this anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
A third person has been arrested and charged in connection with the death of a 38-year-old local man in Granton on Hogmanay.
The 33-year-old woman was arrested yesterday (Monday, 8 January) and has now been charged. She is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court tomorrow (Wednesday, 10 January).
Emergency services were called around 11.50pm on Sunday, 31 December, 2023, after a firearm was discharged outside the Anchor Inn in West Granton Road.
Two men, aged 38 and 39, were taken to hospital . The 38-year-old man, Marc Webley, was pronounced dead a short time later. The other man remains in hospital.
A 32-year-old man and 25-year-old woman have already been arrested and charged in connection with the incident.
Both appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday (Monday, 8 January). Grant Hunter and Emma McVie made no plea and have been remanded in custody.
Two people – a 32-year-old man and 25-year-old woman – have been arrested and charged in connection with the death of a 38-year-old man in Granton. They are due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday (8 January).
Emergency services were called around 11.50pm on Sunday, 31 December, 2023, after a firearm was discharged in West Granton Road, seriously injuring two men.
Both men, aged 38 and 39, were taken to hospital, where the 38-year-old man – named locally as Marc Webley – was pronounced dead a short time later. The other man remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition.
Enquiries are ongoing and a report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal.
A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.
Two people have been arrested in connection with the death of a 38-year-old man in West Granton.A 32-year-old man and 25-year-old woman have been arrested in connection with the shooting.
Emergency services were called around 11.50pm on Sunday, 31 December, 2023, after a firearm was discharged in West Granton Road, seriously injuring two men.
Both men, aged 38 and 39, were taken to hospital, where the 38-year-old man was pronounced dead a short time later. The dead man has been named locally as Marc Webley.
Enquiries are ongoing and police continue to appeal for information.
Detective Superintendent Graham Grant, Major Investigation Team, said: “We’d like to thank the local community for their support and patience while enquiries are ongoing.
“There will continue to be an increased police presence in the area and anyone with further concerns should speak to officers, call 101, or in the case of an emergency, 999.”
Organisations that support victims of crime have been awarded a total of £405,451 from a fund financed by penalties imposed on offenders who received a court fine.
Eight organisations – including Victim Support Scotland, Dumbarton District Women’s Aid, Migrant Help, The Moira Fund, The Manda Centre, Survivors of Human Trafficking in Scotland (SOHTiS), Action Against Stalking and Dundee Women’s Aid – will share the funding to provide practical help directly to victims.
This is the fourth round of payments from the Victim Surcharge Fund, which was established in November 2019, and takes the latest funding to £1,322,437.
Victims and Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown said: “I am pleased the fund has provided support to so many people.
“Since financial awards were first made in January 2021, 14 different victim support organisations have benefited from this fund – all of which have used the money to help people impacted by crime.
“It is only right that the people who commit crimes should pay towards helping those impacted to recover from the trauma and move on with their lives.”
Kate Wallace, Chief Executive of Victim Support Scotland, said: “Funding to VSS Emergency Assistance Fund made it possible to reach more than 1,400 victims of crime and their families with awards last year totalling over £400,000.
“Too many people face financial hardship as a result of crime, and this funding allows us to cover the costs of essential items such as food vouchers, rent, property repairs, alarms and funeral costs.”
The following organisations are set to benefit from the Victim Surcharge Fund in this round:
Victim Support Scotland (VSS) £300,000
Dumbarton District Women’s Aid £11,750
Migrant Help £28,540
The Moira Fund £14,500
The Manda Centre £10,000
Survivors of Human Trafficking in Scotland (SOHTIS) £20,661
