Police appeal for info following Ratcliffe Terrace crash

POLICE are appealing for information following a crash on Ratcliffe Terrace.

The incident happened around 8.45am last Thursday (26 January), and involved a cyclist and a blue Vauxhall Corsa.

The cyclist, a 27-year-old man, was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment.

No one else was injured and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.

Police Constable John Smith said: “I am appealing for anyone who saw what happened or who has dash-cam that could assist with our enquiries to get in touch.”

Anyone who can help is asked to call us on 101, quoting incident number 0654 of Thursday, 26 January, 2023.

Police seek witnesses to fatal road accident on Oswald Road

A 52-year-old man has died following a one-vehicle road crash on Oswald Road, Edinburgh, at the junction with South Oswald Road.

The crash involved a silver Ford Focus Zetec and took place around 5.10pm on Sunday, 29 January, 2023. The driver was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, where he was pronounced dead.

The road was closed until 8.55pm.

Sergeant Jill Kirkpatrick, from the Edinburgh Road Policing Unit, said: “Our thoughts are very much with the deceased’s family and friends at this time.

“Our enquiries into this incident remain ongoing and we continue to appeal to anyone who was in the Oswald Road area, or who believes they saw the Ford Focus nearby prior to the crash, to please come forward.

“We are also keen to speak to anyone in the area who may have dashcam or private CCTV footage, as we carry out enquiries into this incident.

“Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting incident 2466 of 29 January, 2023.”

Appeal for information following assault and robbery in Seafield

Detectives in Edinburgh are appealing for information after a man was assaulted and robbed by three youths in Seafield.

Around 5.30pm on Tuesday (24 January 2023) the man sustained minor injuries after three males struck him on the head with a weapon and stole his rucksack and laptop as he made his way along the cycle path between Seafield Street and Pirniefield.

The suspects are described as:

The first was around 14-years-old, with a Scottish accent, slim build, wearing a snood, dressed in black and riding a black scooter.

The second, with the weapon, was about 16/17-years-old, stocky build, 5ft 9, Scottish accent, wearing a dark hoodie with the hood tied tight, red snood, black jogging bottoms and black trainers.

The third was around 14/15-years-old, wearing dark clothing and silver trainers. Both were on electric bikes.

Detective Sergeant Keith Taylor, Violence Reduction Unit, said: “Extensive enquiries are ongoing to trace the people responsible, and we encourage anyone with information about this attack to contact police.

“Think back, did you see these three youths in the area around this time?

“We are also appealing for anyone who may have relevant dash-cam footage from the Seafield Road area around 5.30pm on Tuesday to get in touch.

“Please contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting reference number 3094 of Tuesday, 24 January, 2023.”

Read more – http://ow.ly/mVPk50MB1Qz

MAJOR FIRE AT JENNERS

We are currently in attendance at a commercial building fire on Rose Street in Edinburgh

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 11.29am on Monday, January 23 to reports of a building fire at Rose Street.

“Operations Control immediately mobilised two appliances to the scene and on arrival firefighters found a building well alight.

“A further eight appliances, including a high reach, were mobilised and crews remain on scene as they work to extinguish the fire.  No casualties have been reported.”

South St David Street and a number of surrounding roads, have been closed to traffic and pedestrians following the building fire.

Please avoid the area if possible and follow directions regarding alternative routes.

PICTURES: Gillian Webster, Connal Hughes, Anthony Brown, Whacko TM.

UPDATE at 7pm

Ross Haggart is the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s Interim Chief Officer. He said: “The fire at the Jenners building in Edinburgh is a very serious and complex incident and regrettably I can confirm that five of our colleagues were taken to hospital for treatment. Four have now been discharged however one remains in a critical condition.

“The families of all those affected have been made aware. We currently remain at the scene with a total of 11 appliances and other specialist resources in attendance.”

Police Scotland statement on vetting checks of officers and staff

Deputy Chief Constable Fiona Taylor QPM said: “Officers and staff work day in, day out, right across Scotland to protect the vulnerable and keep people safe.

“We are resolute in our determination to address sexism, misogyny and violence against women, within our organisation and across society.

“Police Scotland has already strengthened vetting measures, introducing an additional check for new recruits just before they are sworn into office and we will commence a rolling programme to review vetting decisions this year.

“We have recently invested in our vetting team and take relevant action where concerns emerge.

“To further enhance our ability to safeguard our values and standards, all officers and staff will be checked against national systems, in line with work being taken forward in England and Wales.

 “It is right policing is held to high standards. We will always support officers and staff acting with our values and standards at heart.

“Those who reject what we stand for don’t belong in Police Scotland.”

Youth arrested and charged following Edinburgh New Year derby disorder

A 16-year-old male has been arrested and charged with culpable and reckless conduct. It follows a report of objects thrown during the recent Edinburgh football derby at Tynecastle Park on Monday, 2 January, 2023.

The male has been released on an undertaking and is expected to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court at a later date.

Chief Inspector David Happs said: “This type of behaviour is unacceptable and I hope this latest arrest sends a clear message that any such conduct will not be tolerated.

We have the full support of both clubs as we continue with our investigation.”

Hibs and Hearts meet again in a Scottish Cup tie at Easter Road this weekend.

Illegal tobacco factory smashed

One of Scotland’s biggest ever illegal tobacco factories has been dismantled after a raid in West Lothian. 

The state-of-the-art factory, capable of evading millions of pounds of duty per year, was uncovered in an operation by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and Police Scotland. 

The sophisticated set up included expensive machinery and insulation to hide noise and smells. 

Four tonnes of tobacco was recovered, worth an estimated £1 million in unpaid duty. Suspected counterfeit tobacco pouches were also found and seized. 

Joe Hendry, Assistant Director, Fraud Investigation Service, HMRC, said: “This was one of the largest and most sophisticated tobacco factories we have ever uncovered in Scotland.

“We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to target anyone we suspect as being involved in the illicit tobacco trade. 

“The illicit tobacco trade steals money from our vital public services, undercuts legitimate businesses and can fund other crimes that harm our communities.

“We encourage anyone with information about the illegal sale of tobacco or alcohol to report it to HMRC online.”  

Detective Sergeant John Irvine, Police Scotland, said: “We will continue to work closely with our partners to disrupt, detect and deter anyone involved in the illicit trade of illegal or counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco.

“We know that due to perceived higher profit margins, criminals can turn to the illicit trade in tobacco, which in turn can lead to other forms of criminality.   

“If you have any information or concerns about illegal or counterfeit cigarettes or tobacco within the local community, please get in touch with HMRC or Police Scotland. Alternatively calls can be made to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where anonymity can be maintained.”

Five people have been arrested and charged. Investigations are ongoing.

Appeal to trace vehicle following attempted murder of police officer

Detectives in Edinburgh are appealing for information to help trace a car involved in the attempted murder of a police motorcyclist two days after it failed to stop for officers at another incident.

The vehicle involved is described as a black Audi A1 (K3 OXK).

Around 4.50pm on Monday, 9 January, 2023, it was flagged down by officers on Ravenswood Avenue in connection with a suspected road traffic offence. As officers tried to engage with the male driver, the car sped from the scene in the direction of Walter Scott Avenue, causing one constable to need to jump to safety.

On Wednesday, 11 January, at around 4.15pm, the same car was seen by motorcycle officers in the Lindsay Road area of the city. On being signalled to stop in the Bathfield area, the driver drove directly at the officers, injuring one in the collision, before heading in the Granton direction.

The driver of the vehicle is described as being a white man, aged 18-22, slim build, with short brown curly hair. At the time of the first incident, there was a passenger described as a white man, of a similar age.

Detective Inspector Gordon Couper, from Corstorphine CID, said: “Violence against our people is not tolerated and we can be incredibly thankful that none of the officers involved in these two incidents were seriously injured as a result of this individual’s unacceptable and dangerous actions.

“We are appealing for anyone with information to come forward. If you witnessed these incidents, were driving in the areas at the times in question, or believe you’ve seen the vehicle involved, please come forward and contact police on 101, quoting incident 1853 of 17 January, 2023.”

Police seek witnesses to fatal crash

POLICE are appealing for information following a fatal crash on the A702 at Boghall, near Penicuik, yesterday.

The incident happened around 1.25pm on Thursday, 12 January, and involved a black Suzuki GSF 650 motorbike and a white Kia Sportage car.

Emergency services attended and the motorcyclist, a man aged 40, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The road was closed in both directions for crash investigation work to take place and re-opened around 6pm.

Sergeant Iain McIntrye said: “Our thoughts are with the family of the man who has died and our enquiries into the circumstances of what happened are ongoing.

“I am appealing to anyone who saw what happened and anyone driving in the area who has dash-cam footage that could assist with our investigation to please get in touch.”

Anyone who can assist is asked to call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 1488 of Thursday, 12 January, 2023.

Appeal following serious crash in Nicolson Street

Road policing officers are appealing for information following a serious crash in Nicolson Street involving a pedestrian and a bus.

The incident happened around 8pm last night (Wednesday, 11 January, 2023).

Emergency services attended and the pedestrian, a 51-year-old man, was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh where his conditions is described as critical. No one else was injured.

The road was closed for crash investigation work to be carried out and re-opened around 4am this morning (Thursday, 12 January, 2023).

Sergeant Jill Kirkpatrick said: “Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of what happened and we are asking anyone who can assist to get in touch.

“If you were in the area at the time and saw what happened or were driving and have dash-cam footage that could help with our enquiries then please make contact.”

Anyone who can help is asked to call Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 3101 of Wednesday, 11 December, 2023.