Police appeal following hit and run on Gilmerton Road

POLICE are appealing for information following a hit and run on Gilmerton Road on Tuesday, 27 February, 2024. The incident happened around 4pm between Walter Scott Avenue and Redgauntlet Terrace.

A 12-year-old boy was struck by a small silver or grey coloured car that stopped initially but then made off. The boy was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment.

Police Constable Claire Mitchell said: “Our enquiries are ongoing to trace the car involved in this incident and we are asking anyone with information to come forward.

“The area was busy at the time with both traffic and pedestrians so anyone with information is asked to call us.”

“In particular, if you have dash-cam or private CCTV footage that could assist officers with their enquiries then please get in touch.

Anyone who can assist should call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 2551 of Tuesday, 27 February, 2024.

Police renew appeal for help to trace Khasha Smith

POLICE are continuing enquiries to locate Khasha Smith, 35, who is missing from the Calder area of Edinburgh.

Extensive enquiries are ongoing and police we have established that the last known confirmed sighting of Khasha was Tuesday, 10 October, 2023.

Her family is extremely concerned for her and are today appealing to the public for any information which could help trace Khasha.

Khasha’s mum Nicola Neil said: “Khasha, we love you so much and just need to know you are safe. We need you home with us. If anyone, anywhere, knows where Khasha is – please tell us. Please don’t let us go on like this.

“Khasha is a brilliant mum to her three children and is loved by all our very close family. We are all sick with worry. Khasha is my friend as well as my daughter and we are living a nightmare. 

“It’s hard to find the words to explain the “not knowing” where she is and if anything has happened to her. These past few weeks have been horrendous and painful for us all. I would ask anyone out there – even if we don’t know you – please come forward if you know anything at all.

“Please help us bring Khasha home. This waiting is unbearable. I’m begging you from the bottom of my heart – please get in touch. I miss her so much and we need to find her.”

Khasha’s daughter Calley Smith said: “I recently had my 18th birthday and didn’t hear anything from my mum. She would never miss my birthday, my sisters’ birthdays, or Christmas.

“It’s just not her. We miss her so much. We want nothing more than my mum to walk through the door and to be able to give her a massive hug. It feels like I’m living the worst dream I could ever imagine. 

“I can’t express what it would mean to have my mum home. Even the smallest piece of information might be all we need to find her.

“So I’m asking anyone with any information – please come forward and help the police bring my mum home for me, my sisters and the rest of the family.”


Khasha is around 5ft tall, with a slim build. She has blue eyes and long, blonde hair. She also has tattoos, one which is visible on her right wrist and says ‘Forever’.

She is known to visit the Gorgie, Broomhouse and Wester Hailes areas.

Khasha always maintains contact with her family. However, none of her relatives or her friends have seen, or heard from her, and this is very distressing for them.
  
Specialist officers are supporting and keeping in close contact with Khasha’s family.  

A number of national resources have been used in the search for Khasha including the dog branch, underwater unit and specialist search officers.

Enquiries are ongoing and officers are again appealing for anyone with any information to come forward.


Detective Chief Inspector Bob Williamson said: “Khasha’s family are understandably extremely worried about her.

“We have a dedicated team of officers who are working around the clock to find her and get answers for her family.

“While we are keeping an open mind, and continue to hope Khasha will be found safe and well, we have to consider the possibility that she may have to come to harm. We must consider all possibilities.

“Our enquiries are ongoing and a key focus of our investigation is continuing to build up a picture of Khasha’s life in the months prior to her disappearance.

“We are keen to speak to any of Khasha’s friends who may have information about her whereabouts before the last known confirmed sighting of her on Tuesday, 10 October, 2023.



Police have also set up an online portal to encourage members of the public to submit information, including any recorded footage.

The Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) is a website that gives the public access to a form so they can send information directly to the major investigation team.

“It is absolutely vital that we find Khasha and I would again ask anyone with information – no matter how small or insignificant it may seem – to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 3915 of 5 January, 2024.”

The MIPP can be accessed here: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/SCOT24S01-PO1

John O’Flaherty jailed for non-recent sexual assaults in Edinburgh

A man who committed a number of sexual assaults on women and girls in the 1980s and 1990s has been jailed.

At the High Court in Livingston yesterday (Tuesday, 27 February), John O’Flaherty (67) was sentenced to an Order of Lifelong Restriction with a minimum punishment part of five-years in prison for the offences, which took place in the North and South West of Edinburgh.

He was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.

The survivors were aged between 7 and 32 and after reporting the crimes to police in 2018, officers from Edinburgh’s Public Protection Unit spent more than two years gathering evidence against O’Flaherty.

He was initially arrested in June 2020, with further charges added over the following months.

Chief Inspector Jonny Wright said: “Our response to sexual crime is victim centred, with the safety and wellbeing of victims at the heart of what we do. I hope the conviction and sentencing of John O’Flaherty highlights that time is no barrier to investigating offences and we will respond to all reports we receive.

“I wish to thank the women he targeted for coming forward and reporting the attacks to police.

“Their continued support of our investigation and their testimony during the trial ultimately led to O’Flaherty’s conviction.”

Police seek witnesses to Pilrig Park stabbing

POLICE are appealing for information after a 25-year-old man was seriously assaulted on Pilrig Street, yesterday (Tuesday, 27 February, 2024).

Around 2.05pm, police were called to the entrance to Pilrig Park. The injured man was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh where is being treated for stab wounds. Hospital staff describe his condition as serious.

Detective Inspector Dougal Begg said: “We would urge anyone who was in the area at the time who witnessed this serious assault take place, or who has any information that may assist our investigation to come forward.

“Enquiries are continuing and officers are gathering and viewing CCTV footage for more information. I would also urge any drivers with dash-cam footage or those with personal footage to contact us as soon as possible.”

Information can be passed to 101 quoting reference number 1698 of 27 February. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.

Pedestrian death: Police seek witnesses to Oxgangs accident

The pedestrian involved in a collision with a bus on Oxgangs Road North, Edinburgh on Friday, 16 February, 2024 has died.

Officers were called to the crash, near the junction with Oxgangs Avenue, around 8.50pm.

The 74-year-old male pedestrian was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh with serious injuries and died on Thursday, 22 February.

He’s been named as Andrew Grant from Edinburgh. Andrew’s family have released the following statement via Police Scotland:

Devastatingly, and after a week of fighting for his life in the Intensive Care Unit at Edinburgh’s Royal Infirmary, our Dad, Husband, Brother, Uncle, Papa, passed away at 7:03pm last night.

We, as a family, have had the most tragic and heartbreaking week, so please live today like it’s your last, because tomorrow may never come. We ask that our privacy is respected.”

Officers are continuing to appeal for information and are particularly keen to trace members of the public who provided assistance before emergency services arrived.

Road Policing Sergeant Louise Birrell said: “Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Mr Grant at this difficult time. We will continue to offer them support as our investigations progress.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has come forward with information so far. There are a number of people we’re still keen to trace who witnessed what happened. Particularly those who provided first aid to Andrew at the scene. It’s believed they were wearing military uniforms. I’d urge them to get in touch with us.

“Anyone who saw what happened or has dashcam footage of the Oxgangs Road North area around the time is asked to contact police.”

Anyone with information should call Police Scotland on 101 quoting reference 3657 of 16 February.

All Change? Chief Constable announces plans for ‘service transformation’

Chief Constable Jo Farrell gave a wide ranging update on how Police Scotland is delivering for the public during a meeting of the Scottish Police Authority Board yesterday (Thursday 22 February).

The Chief outlined the implications of policing’s budget allocation and discussed necessary criminal justice reform and the need to reset the parameters around Police Scotland’s role in responding to mental health incidents.

CC Farrell also shone a light on policing’s response to serious offences and securing important court outcomes; seizing illegal drugs; road traffic enforcement or picking out the unsung proactive community policing and prevention we know the public values.

The Chief also discussed joint work with the Authority to progress a programme of change across policing in Scotland.

CC Farrell said: “Change can be unsettling but we are building Police Scotland from a position of strength and we must clearly explain the changes to the public – and our officers and staff – so they can be confident in their police service.

“I have asked Deputy Chief Constable Jane Connors to lead our programme of change, focused on delivering service transformation at pace, prioritising the frontline, removing back-office duplication, and creating capacity to deal with new and increasing threats.

“The change programme will inform how we shape, train, enable, equip and deploy our greatest asset – that is our workforce, our officers and staff – to best meet the evolving needs and complexities of our diverse communities at best value.

“Our primary investment will always be in police officers. As Chief Constable, entrusted with significant public funding, I have a duty to ensure I maximise the number of experienced officers available to the frontline through the right investment in non-warranted support.

“So we will carefully examine which roles can and should be done by police staff, enabling a wider range of people access to a policing career and allowing even more of our officers to return to frontline and operational policing roles.

“Our aim is – must be – to bring the frontline of Scottish policing to the strongest position possible within the resources available.

“I think that’s my duty as Chief Constable, I think it is what the Authority would expect and demand. Providing the highest possible level of safety and security with the funding available is what the people and communities of Scotland deserve and would expect.”

WATCH the meeting here

Police appeal following serious assault in Hunter Square

Officers are appealing for information following the serious assault of a man in Edinburgh’s city centre.

The incident happened around 3.40pm yesterday (Tuesday, 20 February) at Hunter Square. A 36-year-old man was assaulted. He was taken to hospital for treatment where he remains in a critical condition.

A 46-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with the incident.

Detective Inspector Steven Gray said: “Our enquiries into this incident are ongoing and I would urge anyone who may have information which could help to get in touch.

“I would ask that anyone who witnessed the incident or was in the area around that time to contact us.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact 101 quoting reference 2335 of 20 February, 2024.

Witness appeal following Lanark Road road incident

POLICE are appealing for witnesses following a crash on Lanark Road involving a van and a pedestrian.

The incident happened around 3.55pm yesterday (Monday, 19 February,) near the Water of Leith Visitor Centre.

Emergency services attended and the pedestrian, a 41-year-old man, was taken to hospital for treatment.

The driver, a 55-year-old man, has been charged in connection and a report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal.

Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances and anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 2373 of Monday, 19 February, 2024.

Pedestrian seriously injured in Oxgangs collision

Road policing officers are appealing for information after a pedestrian was struck by a bus in Edinburgh. The incident happened on Oxgangs Road North, near the junction with Oxgangs Avenue, around 8.50pm last night. (Friday 16 February).

The 74-year-old male pedestrian was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment to serious injuries.

No one on the bus was injured.

The road was closed until around 3.25am this morning (Saturday, 17 February) to allow for an investigation at the scene.

Sergeant Grant Hastie, of the Road Policing Unit in Edinburgh, said: “Our enquiries are ongoing and I would urge anyone who may have information to get in touch.

“We would be keen to speak to anyone who was on the bus who hasn’t yet spoken to an officer, or anyone who may have dashcam footage from the area around the time of the collision.

“Anyone who can help is asked to call 101, quoting reference 3657 of 16 February.”

Police appeal following attempted dog robbery in Balerno

KNIFE ATTACK ON DOG WALKER

Detectives in Edinburgh are appealing for information after two men tried to steal a dog from a man before assaulting him in Balerno.

The 43-year-old was walking in a field near to National Cycle Route 75 and Lanark Road West between 5.15pm and 5.30pm on Tuesday, 13 February, 2024. One of the men tried to take the dog and the other assaulted the owner with a knife.

He was later taken by ambulance to Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment.

Officers are keen to trace the two men. The first is described as: white, around 50, stocky build, 5’ 6”, ginger greying beard, wearing a black thermal beanie hat, black puffer jacket and with a local accent.

The second is described as: white, slim build, 5’ 10”, 20-to-30-years old, clean shaven, wearing a hat, a black jacket with green writing, pale blue denim jeans, tan coloured boots.

They made off towards Ravelrig Road and were lost to sight.

Detective Inspector Martin Smith, of Edinburgh CID, said: “This appears to be an attempt to rob the man of his dog, and it is vital that we establish the full circumstances of what happened and trace the men responsible.

“I would like to speak to anyone who was in the area between 5pm and 6pm on Tuesday who saw or heard anything suspicious. Similarly, anyone with private CCTV, doorbell footage or dashcam of the area is urged to review the footage and bring anything significant to our attention.

“Officers will be carrying out additional patrols in the area and anyone with any concerns can approach these officers.”

Anyone with any information can call 101, quoting incident 2591 of Tuesday, 13 February, 2024.