Crime cash seized in major police operation

Over £225,000 pounds of cash has been recovered from suspected criminals and £7 million worth of assets have been referred for seizure in one of the largest operations ever undertaken by police in Scotland.

Two vehicles were seized, £316,000 of drugs and £25,440 worth of stolen and counterfeit goods were also seized during the enforcement phase of the “Made From Crime?” campaign.

The initiative aims to target those making money illegally through crime, and for the past three days 400 uniformed and detective officers across the East of Scotland have been actively pursuing suspects.

The campaign was launched in January this year by Lothian and Borders Police, Fife Constabulary and Central Scotland Police and asked members of the public to come forward to the charity Crimestoppers and report their suspicions about people making money illegally.

Marketing materials and a 20 foot long Ad-Trailer were placed in key locations across the East of Scotland and special Facebook adverts that were geo-targeted to people living in the area ran through the six-week ‘intelligence-gathering’ phase.

Throughout the campaign, Crimestoppers reported a 31% percent rise in all calls across the East of Scotland area to the charity.

All of this intelligence was gathered and analysed by officers, before the latest enforcement action this week.

Between 7am on Wednesday 13th to 7am on Friday 15th March, 78 addresses were targeted and 74 people were arrested throughout Central Scotland, Fife and Lothian and Borders area.

The joint working between Central Scotland Police, Fife Constabulary and Lothian and Borders Police comes in advance of the Police Service of Scotland launching on 1st April. These forces will join to form “East Command”, and are already beginning to share services and resources under the Specialist Crime Division, a powerful new division to tackle serious crime.

Today (Friday 15 March) police will host a media conference at Lochend’s Ripple Project, a charity that has benefited from the Scottish Government’s CashBack for Communities Scheme, to discuss the results.

Detective Superintendent David Gordon, Head of Serious Organised Crime for the Specialist Crime Division in the East of Scotland, said: “This campaign was deliberately designed to be ambitious and tenacious and target criminals who believed they could live lavish lifestyles from the proceeds of crime. The response we had from local communities throughout the intelligence gathering phase was fantastic, and showed that they were not prepared to tolerate criminality in their area.

“The months of planning for the enforcement phase have paid off throughout the past few days, and we are delighted with the results, which is a fantastic start for the new Specialist Crime Division. Criminals have no regard for boundaries and borders and the SCD is giving us increased flexibility to go where they go, and target them where they operate in a leaner, meaner and sharper way.

“We will work with our partners in the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service to ensure those arrested in connection with the operation are faced with the full force of the law, and we will also work with the Scottish Government to ensure the money we have seized can be put back into communities.

“This is not the end of our activity and I would appeal to people to continue to come forward with this vital intelligence so that we can actively pursue those living beyond their means. We will not stand for criminality in our communities in Scotland.”

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: “This important initiative has built on the good progress that was made a year ago when it was first launched and the achievements of these past weeks are to be welcomed. The work that has been undertaken by police in Lothian and Borders, Central and Fife has been assisted by members of the public who have provided information. I thank everyone who has assisted the police in this way.

“There should be no hiding place in our neighbourhoods for those who cash in on crime and this will continue to be a top priority for this Government and the new single police service when it goes live shortly.”

Kate Jackson, National Manager for Crimestoppers Scotland, said: “This has been a very successful campaign which has seen a significant and sustained increase in calls to the charity of 31% for the Lothian & Borders, Central and Fife areas of Scotland. Members of the public clearly want to make a difference in their area by reporting criminals and wrongdoing and don’t like to see anyone living off the proceeds of crime. I would urge anyone with information to continue to do this and to report it anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at the Crimestoppers website.”

It’s Yummy Food Festival time!

The Yummmy Food Festival takes place at North Edinburgh Arts today. The fun kicks off at 12.30 then it’s foodie fun and frolics ’til 5pm!

Don’t miss it!

Spring into a healthy Easter!

People living across the Lothians are being encouraged to put a “spring” in their step this Easter by preparing ahead for the holiday period.

The NHS Scotland Be Ready for Easter campaign is advising people to take a few simple steps to look after their health. By making sure they have a supply of over the counter medicines , knowing when their GP surgery is open and checking their repeat prescriptions, they can ensure they make the most of the Easter holiday weekend.

This year many GP surgeries across Scotland will be closed for up to four days from Good Friday (March 29) to Easter Monday (April 1).

NHS 24 Medical Director Professor George Crooks said: “After winter, Easter is the busiest time of year for Scotland’s health services. The Be Ready for Easter campaign wants to remind people of the small steps they can take to ensure illness doesn’t ruin their Easter.

“Being prepared by having enough repeat medication to cover you and having some simple home remedies available can make all the difference if illness strikes. It is also important to plan ahead for any required repeat prescriptions over the Easter break, so please order and collect in good time. We would also remind people of the wide range of health information available at NHS inform.”

Dr Alison McCallum, Director of Public Health and Health Policy, NHS Lothian said: “Although many GP surgeries will be closed at Easter, hundreds of GPs will be working throughout this period supporting out of hours services. Taking a few simple steps to be ready for the break means illness need not spoil the Easter break.”

The four key steps that Be Ready for Easter recommends this Spring are:

Restock your medicine cabinet if needed
Common ailments such as colds can often be effectively treated at home with readily available medicine such as pain relief, cough mixture and cold remedies. Parents are reminded to restock their medicine cabinet with child-friendly remedies.

Use your local pharmacy
Your pharmacist can offer advice or help if you need over-the-counter remedies or have run out of any prescribed medication. You can also pick up plasters and antiseptic creams to prepare for any minor accidents.

Make sure you have enough repeat prescription.
If you or someone you care for requires medicines regularly, make sure you order and collect repeat prescriptions in good time to ensure you have enough medicine to last over the holiday period.

Know when your GP surgery will be open
Your local doctor’s surgery may be closed for up to four days during the Easter weekend from Good Friday to Easter Monday (March 29 – April 1).

General advice and information on how to stay healthy this Easter can be found at www.nhsinform.co.uk or contact NHS inform on 0800 22 44 88.

Local canine theft spate is shaggy dog story!

Local Police have moved to reassure the public over a reported spate of dog thefts in the area.

Stories have spread on social media that dog owners are being targeted and robbed of their pets, but police say these rumours are unfounded and have ‘little basis in fact’ .

Police have investigated the number of such thefts that have taken place across the Force area since the start of the year, and enquiries have confirmed just three reports of dog theft this year.

Two of the stolen dogs have been reunited with their owners, while enquiries are ongoing in the other incident where a dog that was stolen at Marine Drive on February 5. Police hope to trace the stolen animal and reunite it with its owner.

Sergeant Derek Duff said: “Over the past few weeks we have become aware of rumours of a spate of dog thefts in the west of the Capital, centred around the area covering Muirhouse, Silverknowes, and Cramond. These rumours have caused alarm to dog owners in the area, and we are taking this opportunity to reassure people that the rumours have little basis in fact.

“There have only been three reported dog thefts in the Force area since the start of the year, and almost all of the dogs have eventually been reunited with their owners, with the exception of one. We take any reports of dog theft extremely seriously, and we will carry out a full and thorough investigation when any such complaint is made.”