Emergency services, prosecutors and health colleagues are among those supporting a National Assault Pledge underlining a joint commitment to reduce violence and abuse against workers.
The National Assault Pledge builds upon Chief Constable Sir Iain Livingstone’s Assault Pledge, developed in response to a concerning increase in violence and abuse against Police Scotland officers and staff. The Chief Constable’s Assault Pledge was published in August 2020 with the support of the then Lord Advocate and Cabinet Secretary for Justice.
Since then, local pledges have been developed by services in Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway.
The national partnership group includes British Transport Police, NHS Scotland, Scottish Prison Service, Scottish Ambulance Service and others. The group will share best practice, develop preventative measures and use consistent messaging in their workplace to support and encourage staff to report incidents.
The National Assault Pledge was agreed by signatories at an event at Police Scotland Headquarters, Tulliallan, on Tuesday, 15 November.
Deputy Chief Constable Fiona Taylor QPM has been leading Police Scotland’s drive to reduce the impact violence and abuse has on officers and staff and introduce measures to improve their safety.
DCC Taylor said: “Being the victim of an assault can have a long lasting impact both physically and mentally. It’s not simply part of the job.
“Working in partnership with a number of key organisations highlights our collective approach and united pledge to reduce assaults at work.
“I want our officers and staff to feel supported and this partnership adds to work already ongoing in this area.”
Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC said: “Assaults on front line workers will not be tolerated and Scotland’s prosecutors will help protect their safety through robust action.
“The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service work closely with police to ensure the effective investigation and prosecution of crime.
“Any criminal behaviour that threatens public safety and the safety of front line workers will be taken very seriously.”
In 2021/22, there were 7,858 common assaults against emergency workers – an increase of 12 per cent compared to the previous year. Over 7,000 of these were against police officers and staff.
Improved operational safety training, a Taser uplift programme and partnership with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service to introduce impact statements are some of the work that has been driven within Police Scotland to support officer and staff safety.
Four people were jailed for trafficking offences at the High Court in Glasgow yesterday.
Jagpal Singh (52) was sentenced to 10 years, Donglin Zhang (48) was sentenced to 8 years, Vlassis Ntaoulias (33) was sentenced to 7 years and Boonsong Wannas (62) was sentenced to six years and four months.
All four were previously convicted of human trafficking and brothel keeping offences.
Detective Superintendent Donna Duffy, in charge of Glasgow’s Human Trafficking Unit said: “I welcome the sentencing today. Human trafficking is a despicable crime that has an unmeasurable long term impact on its victims.
“We are committed to working alongside partners to tackle human trafficking and we will work to identify those responsible and protect their victims.
“I would like to thank all our partners including Home Office Immigration Enforcement Criminal and Financial Investigations.
“I would continue to encourage members of the community to contact us if they have any concerns as they are vital to helping us identify those involved.”
POLICE are appealing for information following disorder in Niddrie on Bonfire Night.
Throughout the evening officers responded to numerous calls of reckless behaviour in the area and enquiries are ongoing to identify those responsible.
Around 8.40pm, on Saturday, 5 November, a police vehicle was attacked with bricks in the area resulting in a window being smashed and an officer sustaining a minor cut to their lip.
Chief Inspector Neil Wilson said : “The actions of those responsible could have had much more serious consequences and our investigation is under-way.
“Officers are carrying out door to door-to door enquiries and reviewing CCTV footage in an effort to identify those involved.
“I would appeal to motorists who were in the Niddrie area and who may have dash-cam footage to come forward. You may have captured something that could assist our enquiries.
“I would also appeal to anyone with mobile phone footage of any of the incident to get in touch with Police Scotland as a matter of urgency on 101.”
Two men who died at Greendykes Road in Edinburgh have now been named by police. They were Desmond Rowlings, 66, and Derek Johnston, 37, both from Edinburgh.
The daughters of Desmond Rowlings have issued a picture of their father and described him as: “A loving, happy go lucky man who kept himself to himself.
“He will be forever missed and remembered with love. As a family we ask for respect and privacy whilst we come to terms during this extremely difficult time”
Derek Johnston’s mum and sister have also issued a photograph of Derek and have described him as: “A deeply loved son and brother, my handsome boy who had such a beautiful soul, our hearts will never mend, he will be forever missed and remembered with much love and affection. As a family we ask for respect and privacy during this extremely difficult time”
Detective Chief Inspector Susan Balfour of Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team added: “Our thoughts are with the families and friends of both Desmond and Derek at this incredibly difficult time.
“Specialist officers are continuing to provide both families with support.”
Officers were called to a flat on Greendykes Road around 8.25pm on Tuesday, 1 November.
Both Desmond Rowlings and Derek Johnston were pronounced dead at the scene.
Two men, aged 65 and 40, have been arrested and charged in connection with their deaths.
The 65-year-old appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Friday, 4 November while the 40-year-old is due to appear at the same court today (Monday, 7 November).
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service received 1,025 calls during an eight-hour period this Bonfire Night with Operations Control staff mobilising crews to 356 bonfires.
The 5 November is typically one of the busiest nights of the year for firefighters.
Five attacks on crews have been recorded, however no injuries have been reported at this time.
Assistant Chief Officer David Farries is director of service delivery for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. He said: “It’s been another busy and challenging evening for our crews and Operations Control staff around Scotland and I thank them for their dedication.
“We are disappointed to report five attacks on our firefighters. In the run up to Bonfire Night, we had spoken out about this kind of unacceptable behaviour by a small minority which sadly happens year after year.
“Our staff should be able to carry out their role without being attacked and it is disappointing that people have tried to hurt firefighters and have damaged our appliances and equipment.
“Crews only attend bonfire related incidents when people contact us about concerns over public safety and we extinguish fires that are unsafe.
“We put a huge amount of planning and preparation into this evening with local partners and other emergency services as we work together to protect communities, which is always our top priority.”
Police Scotland’s Public Order trained officers supported local policing colleagues in what proved to be a challenging Bonfire Night for emergency services.
In total, 483 calls were received relating to fireworks offences night. This is a reduction on the 581 incidents recorded the previous year and reflects the positive downward trend in crimes that have occurred over the past five years. Nevertheless, there were still a number of significant crimes arising over the course of the evening.
Twelve people were arrested, and a further 15 were dispersed from Dispersal Zones. Further inquiry to identify more suspects will be taking place over the coming days and weeks.
The majority of serious incidents took place in Edinburgh, where members of the public, firefighters and police officers were all targeted by youths in possession of fireworks.
During a call-out to an illegal bonfire at Langside Street, Clydebank, however, members of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were attacked by twenty youths using fireworks. Police Public Order Officers attended and the group dispersed. One police vehicle sustained very minor damage and one male was arrested for assault and culpable and reckless conduct.
Just before 7pm, approximately 100 youths threw fireworks at members of the public and vehicles at Marischal Road in Niddrie. Public Order Officers attended to support local policing teams and were also targeted. A fire engine that was in attendance sustained a smashed window as a result of the disorder, though, thankfully, no one was injured.
While on patrol at around 7.35pm on Ferry Road Drive, Edinburgh, officers were attacked by a number of individuals throwing bricks at their vehicle. Public Order Officers were called to the scene to support and a Public Order vehicle was subsequently damaged when a brick was thrown at the windscreen.
Further incidents in the Drylaw area were reported between 9 and 10pm when the fire service were initially attacked with fireworks while attempting to extinguish a wheelie bin fire on Ferry Road Drive, and had to withdraw.
Once again, Public Order resources were deployed to support but were subjected to threats and fireworks being thrown by a number of youths, who were also armed with scaffolding poles and a baseball bat.
Further incidents were then reported in the area, after youths began throwing fireworks at members of the public and at Drylaw Police Station. No injuries were reported and no damage was sustained to the building.
Around 8.40pm, a police vehicle was attacked with bricks in the Niddrie area resulting in a window being smashed and an officer sustaining a minor cut to their lip.
Around the same time within Sighthill, Edinburgh, local officers were within their vehicle when it was targeted by youths with bricks who smashed the vehicle’s windows. This resulted in both officers being injured. They were taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. One sustained a head injury that required stitches, while the other needed treatment for glass in their eye.
An hour later, within the Duddingston area, a number of police vehicles had petrol bombs thrown at them by a number of youths. There were also incidents of roads being barricaded by the suspects, which required police to attend and deal with. There were no injuries reported during these incidents.
Around the same time in Glasgow, a male was outside the OVO Hydro, and threw a flare into a crowd of people. He was detained by security staff at the scene. Following police enquiries, two people were arrested in connection with this matter.
Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs, Gold Commander for Operation Moonbeam said: “Our initial analysis of the incidents arising on Bonfire Night show that, for the overwhelming majority of the country, people enjoyed the occasion safely and responsibly.
“However, in some areas, particularly Edinburgh, various individuals have shown blatant disregard for the safety of the public and the emergency services and have actively targeted police officers and firefighters during the course of their duties.
“This behaviour is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated. I want to make it abundantly clear that considerable follow-up inquiry will be conducted in relation to all of these incidents, utilising all resources at our disposal to identify those responsible and bring them to justice. Do not think that just because you evaded police on the night, that we won’t be knocking on your door in the near future.
“I would ask anyone who has information relating to the offences observed last night to contact police via 101 so we can investigate appropriately.
“What the events of last night demonstrate to me is the importance of having a robust frontline policing service that can be readily supported by national and specialist colleagues when required. Similarly, working in partnership with other emergency colleagues and local authorities is equally important to ensuring we are deploying the correct level of resource to the right areas at the right time.
“All of those who were on duty during Bonfire Night showed exceptional professionalism and dedication to protecting communities from harm during extremely difficult and challenging circumstances. I am grateful for all of their efforts.”
A 65-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with the deaths of two men on Greendykes Road in Edinburgh. A second man, 40, has been arrested and enquiries remain ongoing.
Officers were called to a flat in the area around 8.25pm on Tuesday, 1 November.
The two men, aged 66 and 37, were pronounced dead at the scene and their next of kin have been made aware.
Their deaths are being treated as suspicious and a murder inquiry is now ongoing, led by officers from Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team.
The 65-year-old man is expected to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today (Friday, 4 November).
Detective Chief Inspector Susan Balfour, of the Major Investigation Team, said: “Our thoughts are very much with the families and friends of both men at what is a very difficult time for them.
“We have a dedicated team of officers in the area working on this investigation. This is likely to continue in the coming days and I would like to thank the local community for their understanding as our work continues.
“We understand that this is an upsetting incident for the local community and I would urge anyone with concerns to speak to one of our officers.”
Police Scotland has released an image of a man they believe may hold information which might assist in relation to an assault in Edinburgh.
The incident happened at around 11.30pm on Tuesday, 18 October, 2022, at Murrayburn Place.
The man (pictured below) is described as 16 to 18-years-old, around 6ft, and was wearing a grey-coloured top, jogging bottoms, sunglasses and black gloves.
One man aged 22 has been charged in connection with the incident.
Detective Sergeant Todd Rutherford said: “I would urge the man or anyone who knows who he is to get in touch with us.
“Anyone with any information is asked to call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 3811 of Tuesday, 18 October, 2022, or make a call anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
UPDATE
A 17-year-old male youth has been arrested and charged in connection with an assault in Edinburgh on Tuesday, 18 October, 2022.
The incident happened on Murrayburn Place around 11.30pm.
He appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Thursday, 3 November, 2022.
A 22-year-old man was also charged in connection with the incident. He appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, 24 October, 2022.
POLICE are appealing for information after a 16-year-old male youth was robbed on Burdiehouse Road last Saturday (22 October, 2022).
Around 12.10am, the victim was approached by three males who assaulted him and stole his jacket. The males left the scene in the direction of Frogston Road.
The three suspects are described as black males, aged 18-20 and were wearing black tracksuits.
Detective Sergeant Keith Taylor, of Gayfied CID, said: “This was a particularly distressing incident for the victim, who sustained a minor injury.
“If you were in the area around the time of the robbery, either before or after, and witnessed anything suspicious or recognise the description of the men, please get in touch.
“Similarly, if you have dash-cam footage that may help with our investigation then please contact us.
“Anyone who can help is asked to call 101, quoting incident number 0149 of 22 October, 2022, or make a call anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Fireworks and bonfires can be very distressing and dangerous for many people and animals across the country.
Please be aware that it is illegal for the general public to set fireworks off before 6pm and after 11pm in the evening. This extends to midnight on 5 November and 1am on New Year’s Eve, Chinese New Year and Diwali.
The Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022 includes the prohibition of supplying fireworks or pyrotechnic articles, such as flares, to anyone under the age of 18 and will take effect from this year.
– You can enjoy fireworks safely by only attending organised public displays.
Be Kind
– Be mindful of the negative effect firework misuse can have on those around you, your neighbours, your community, animals in the area and the environment.
– Respect and support those who are there to help you like the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Police Scotland and the NHS.
Be Smart
– If it feels wrong or dangerous, walk away.
– Know what to do if someone gets hurt or you see something that worries you.
– You can report fireworks misuse or deliberate fire raising to Police Scotland by calling 101 or if you’re 11+ you can #BeFearless in speaking up about WHO is responsible for crime 100% anonymously at Fearless.org.
In an emergency ALWAYS dial 999.
Not following our #FireworkSafety guidance could end in tragic consequences.
Be Safe