Tag: Police Scotland

Festive Home Security Advice

Police Scotland: Festive Home Security Advice

Try and make your house look occupied.

Make friends with your neighbours. Ask them to take your bins in and out, gather up mail from behind the door regularly and collect any parcels that may have been left on your doorstep.

Allow them to park on the drive if you have one.

Fit timer switches on lights and set them to come on before it gets dark.

If you have a home smart device consider using smart plugs.

Ensure your locks meet BS3621 (http://ow.ly/5Q1E50LXb0a)

Keep car keys secure and hidden at all times.

If on holiday, take the keys with you.

Fit and use outside security lights.

Window locks should be fitted where appropriate and used all the time.

Do not leave the key in the lock.

Electronics are favourite housebreaking targets. These should be locked away or removed from view.

Add tracking software or security marks to electronics to make them harder to sell and aid in recovery if stolen.

Consider automatic curtain closers.

Consider an intruder alarm system. More information on alarm systems and monitoring at:

http://ow.ly/OWIN50LXb09 or http://ow.ly/ZZwq50LXb0c.

If you have an alarm, use it!

Consider a CCTV system to allow you to monitor your property remotely.

Secure your shed and all tools that could be used to force entry to your home.

Consider the use of a shed alarm.

Consider joining Neighbourhood Watch Scotland or setting up residents’ social media groups.

If you see anyone acting suspiciously near your premises, please contact the police immediately with a detailed description of any person or vehicle involved.

For further advice http://ow.ly/stC450LXb0b

Police hunt violent skateboarder

Detectives at Gayfield Police Station have released images of a man they believe may hold information which could assist the investigation into a serious assault which occurred in the Cowgate.

In the early hours of Friday, 14 October, 2022, between the Cowgate and Candlemaker Row, a 43-year-old man was pushed over following a verbal altercation. The man sustained serious injuries and was later treated at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.

The man who may have information is described as aged between 18 and 25-years-old, thin build, short hair, carrying a skateboard and wearing a grey and black hooded top, dark trousers and grey trainers.

Detective Constable Kieran Keddie, of Edinburgh CID, said: “The victim sustained serious injuries as a result of the incident and our enquiries are ongoing.

“It is believed the male pictured will be able to assist the investigation and anyone who recognises him is asked to come forward.”

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has any information which could assist the investigation should contact Police Scotland via 101, quoting reference number 0350 of 14 October, 2022.

Alternatively, a call can be made anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police appeal following attempted robbery in city centre

Police are appealing for information following an attempted robbery in the city centre. The incident happened around 4.15pm on Saturday, 3 December, on Mound Place.

A 44-year-old man was on his KTM motorbike travelling on Mound Place towards Princes Street stopped in traffic next to a stationary Lothian Bus when he was knocked off by a man.

The suspect tried to take the motorbike but an unknown member of the public came to the aid of the motorcyclist. The suspect then made off with three other males who had come from the direction of the galleries on the Mound.

The motorcyclist was not injured. Officers are keen to trace the suspects, the member of the public who helped at the scene, and anyone either on the bus or passing by who may have seen what happened.

The first suspect, who attempted to steal the motorbike, is described as aged around 16 to 20, around 5ft 9ins and of slim build. He was wearing a black and grey Nike hoodie, dark grey joggers, black Nike trainers and a black balaclava.

The second suspect is also described as aged 16 to 20, around 5ft 7ins, and of slim build. He was wearing similar clothes to the first suspect with white trainers and a balaclava.

The third suspect is described as around 10-years-old, around 5ft and of slim build with blonde, mousey brown hair. He was wearing a light grey track suit.

The fourth suspect is described as 16 to 20-years-old, around 5ft 9ins and stockier than the others. He was wearing a red and blue puffer style jacket, light grey joggers and no socks.

Detective Inspector Kevin Tait said: “Fortunately no one was injured but this was a dangerous and foolhardy act in busy traffic in an area at a time of day when a lot of people were around.

“We are keen to trace the member of the public who helped the motorcyclist as they are likely to have vital information that could assist with our investigation.

“We are asking anyone in the area at the time which was busy with people shopping, travelling and going to the Christmas market to get in touch if they saw what happened or saw the suspects before or after the incident.

“Likewise, anyone who was on the stationary bus who can help is also asked to contact us.”

Anyone who can help should contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 2424 of Saturday, 3 December, 2022, or make a call anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Drylaw housebreaker appears in court

On Wednesday, 30 November, officers from Musselburgh and Edinburgh carried out a pre-planned operation in the Drylaw area of Edinburgh, resulting in the arrest of a 16-year-old male youth.

He was charged with a number of offences, including a series of housebreakings, theft of motor vehicles and drug offences.

The offences took place across East Lothian, West Lothian, Edinburgh and Falkirk areas between September and November 2022.

He was due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday (Thursday, 1 December).

Detective Inspector Laura White, Lothian and Scottish Borders CID, said “You may be aware of appeals we have issued locally over the past few weeks about housebreakings and thefts of high-performance vehicles.

“We are grateful for the support we have had from members of the public that has assisted us in our investigations. Housebreaking is a particularly upsetting crime for the families involved, and the subsequent misuse of the stolen vehicles on our roads places us in danger.

“We are committed to working together to identify those responsible and bring them to justice as part of our ongoing commitment to tackling acquisitive crime.”

If anyone wishes to report any suspicious activity in the local community to Police, please contact us via 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Seven youths charged following fireworks offences in Oxgangs

Seven youths aged between 13 and 16 years have been charged in connection with offences including breach of the peace, shoplifting, assault and theft following a disturbance at a shop in Oxgangs Road, Edinburgh on Saturday, 5 November, 2022.

A report will be sent to the relevant authorities.

Chief Inspector Neil Wilson said: “Our investigation into incidents of disorder on Bonfire Night is ongoing. Officers are continuing to carry out extensive enquiries, including a wide-ranging review of CCTV footage from throughout the city, to identify those involved and ensure that they are brought to justice.

“I would appeal to anyone with information that may assist our enquiries to contact officers through 101. Alternatively Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.”

Appeal for information following serious assault in Sighthill

Police are appealing for information in connection with a serious assault which took place in the Sighthill area on Saturday (26 November, 2022).

Officers received a report that a 23-year-old woman was assaulted on the Calder Road flyover of the City of Edinburgh bypass at around 8pm.

Detective Inspector Barry McDaid said: “Despite the late hour this area was busy with traffic and is well-lit. It is likely someone will have seen this incident or may have captured it on a dashcam.

“I urge people to contact us with any information they believe may assist our investigation by calling 101, quoting reference number 3265 of Saturday, 26 November 2022. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be called anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Police appeal for information following fatal crash

POLICE are appealing for information following a fatal road crash on the A7 between Galashiels and Selkirk.

The crash happened around 3.25pm on Saturday, 26 November, 2022 at the junction with the B7060 and involved a blue Ford Fiesta and a silver Honda Jazz.

A 90-year-old man and a 79-year-old woman were pronounced dead at the scene.

The road was closed for crash investigation and reopened around 6.25pm.

Sergeant Iain McIntyre said: “Our thoughts are with the families of the man and woman who died and our enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.

“We are asking anyone who witnessed the crash to get in touch. Anyone with dash-cam footage that could assist with our investigation is also asked to contact us.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident 2079 of Saturday, 26 November, 2022.

Appeal for information following serious crash on Calder Road

Road Policing officers in Edinburgh are appealing for information following a serious crash involving a pedestrian, which took place on Calder Road.

The incident happened around 7.35am this morning (Thursday, 24 November) involving a white Ford Transit van and a 19-year-old woman.

The woman was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh with serious, but not life-threatening injuries. The male driver of the van was uninjured.

The road was closed until around 11.45am as an investigation was carried out. Further enquiries into the incident remain ongoing and officers are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

Sergeant Jill Kirkpatrick, from the Edinburgh Road Policing Team, said: “If you witnessed this incident, have any potential dashcam footage, or were in the area and have any information which may assist our enquiries, please call police on 101, quoting incident 0489 of 24 November, 2022.”

Have you seen Martin?

Missing person – Martin Moran, Balerno

POLICE are appealing for the help of the public to trace a 26-year-old man reported missing from Balerno.

Martin Moran was last seen around 6am on Friday, 18 November, near Larch Grove House in Balerno and it is believed he has walked in the direction of Bridge Road, Balerno.

He is described as white, around 6ft, of slim build, with short fair hair. When last seen he was wearing a beige trench coat, black trousers, black shoes and a black hat.

Sergeant Gary Stout said: “Martin’s family are growing increasingly concerned for his welfare and I am asking anyone who may have seen him or knows where he is to get in touch.

“If you can help please call us on 101, quoting reference number 1479 of Friday, 18 November, 2022.”

Appeal for info after pedestrian struck by taxi in Hanover Street

POLICE are appealing for information after a male pedestrian was struck by a black Peugeot private taxi on Hanover St, near Princes Street, at around 2.25 am this morning (Thursday 17 November 2022).

Sergeant Ross Drummond, Road Policing Unit, Edinburgh, said: “There were four male passengers in the taxi at the time of the crash.

“Unfortunately, they’d left prior to the arrival of police so we are keen to speak to them and the occupants of a white van travelling behind the taxi as they could have information that may assist our inquiry.

“Any information can be passed to officers via 101. Please quote reference number 0248 of Thursday, 17 November 2022.”

Info to officers via 101 quoting ref no 0248/17/11.