Police have released images of a man who they believe may be able to assist with their investigation into a serious assault in the city centre on Sunday, 7 July
The assault on the 32-year-old man took place around 3.25am on Frederick Street. The victim was was taken to hospital for treatment.
The man police want to trace is described as a white male, in his early 20’s and of slim build with short dark hair.
He was wearing a white t-shirt with a grey jumper tied round his waist, light blue jeans and white trainers.
Detective Constable Rebecca Curtis said: “We encourage this man, anyone who may recognise him, or anyone with information about this incident to get in touch.”
Anyone who can assist is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101, quoting reference number 0669 of 7 July. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.
Around 1.15pm yesterday (Sunday, 28 July), two cars which had been stolen from the Trinity area were seen by officers on Maybury Road.
The occupants of the vehicles made off from the scene on foot and were traced nearby by officers a short time later in possession of a number of weapons.
Four males aged 16, 17, 19 and 20 have been arrested in connection and enquiries are ongoing.
Police would like to thank the public for their help with this investigation.
Police Scotland Air Support Unit launched their drone in South Queensferry this week as part of an operation tackling antisocial vehicle use in the Hawes Pier area.
Community officers were joined by Cllr Lewis Younie and assisted by colleagues from our Roads Policing Team to raise awareness of the issue and engage with those involved.
Two men have been convicted of the rape and murder of a 24-year-old man in Fife that happened in November 2021.
Dylan Brister, aged 27, and Cameron Allan (pictured below), aged 20, were found guilty yesterday (Friday, 19 July, 2024), following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh. They will be sentenced on a later date.
The body of Calum Simpson was found within a property on Herriot Crescent in Methil on 3 November, 2021.
He had been drugged and subjected to a serious sexual assault. Enquiries were carried out and the two men were arrested and charged in connection with the assault and his death.
Detective Inspector Scott Roxburgh, Senior Investigating Officer, said: “Our thoughts are very much with Calum’s family and friends and I hope that the conviction brings them some kind of closure.
“This was a particularly horrific and sickening attack on a young man who died after being drugged and sexually attacked. Both men will now face the consequences of their actions.
“I would like to thank officers who carried out enquiries as this was a complex and harrowing investigation.
“Violence has no place in our communities and Police Scotland is committed to bringing those responsible for such crimes to justice.”
More than £22 million worth of drugs have been removed from Scotland’s streets so far this year.
This follows a number of significant seizures across the country.
In January, officers recovered cannabis valued at £3,600,000 in Greenock and £2,250,000 in Dundee.
Cannabis worth £1,700,000 was recovered in Falkirk in February, and £2,300,000 worth was located in Galashiels in March.
In Glasgow, cocaine worth £1,800,000 was seized in June.
There were also large recoveries in Ayrshire, Aberdeen, Dumfries and Galloway, Lothian and Borders, Fife and Lanarkshire.
Arrests have been made in connection with the majority and enquiries remain ongoing into the other cases.
Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ferry said: “These seizures highlight our dedication to tackling drug crime in Scotland.
“Controlled substances are dangerous and cause real harm to individuals, families and communities. They are illegal for that very reason.
“Working closely with our partners, we remain focused on targeting individuals and organised crime groups, who selfishly exploit vulnerable people solely for their own financial gain.
“This shows our commitment to the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce and the country’s Serious Organised Crime Strategy.
“Results like these rely on the public and anyone with information or concerns about drugs should contact Police Scotland on 101 or make a call anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
POLICE are appealing for information following a serious assault at TRNSMT festival on Glasgow Green.
The incident happened in front of the ferris wheel around 3.10pm on Saturday, 13 July, 2024.
A 16-year-old male suffered serious injuries and was taken to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital for treatment.
Officers are working to identify two males as part of the ongoing investigation.
The first male is described as being around 6ft in height, of slim build, aged around 19-20 years old, with a dark buzz cut hairstyle and a half sleeve tattoo on his right arm. At the time of the incident, he was wearing a black bucket hat and Scotland saltire flag wrapped around him.
The second male is described as around 6ft 1in in height, of slim build, aged around 19-20 years old, with dark hair. He was wearing a light-coloured top.
Detective Sergeant Stephen Greenshields of Shettleston CID said: “This incident has left the victim with serious injuries, and we are carrying out extensive enquiries to identify the males responsible.
“Numerous people will have witnessed this incident, and we would urge anyone with any information that could assist with our enquiries to come forward.
“If you think you can help, you can contact police via 101, quoting 2222 of 13 July, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
Schools in Scotland are being warned to take precautions amid fears of a spike in crime over the summer holidays.
As many schools across the country close their doors for the summer holidays, specialist insurer Ecclesiastical says schools will be an attractive target for criminals over the coming months.
Ecclesiastical is encouraging Scotland residents who live near local schools to be vigilant this summer and report any unusual or suspicious activity they notice on school grounds.
Ecclesiastical reports schools have been targeted over the summer months including vandalism, arson, break-ins, smashed windows, theft of lead from roofs and stolen laptops.
Amid the high cost of living and more facing economic hardship, there are worries there will be a rise in criminal activity.
Laura Carter, customer segment director at Ecclesiastical Insurance, said: “Schools are more vulnerable during the summer holidays when school buildings are closed and largely unoccupied, tempting opportunists.
“With the high cost of living and more facing economic hardship, it is more important than ever that schools take steps to protect their premises from offenders. There are a number of measures schools can take to better secure school property and assets, which would ideally be a combination of both physical and electronic protection.
“Fencing around the perimeter can often offer a good first line of defence against unwanted visitors, while CCTV can act as a visual deterrent for those not wanting to be caught on camera. Vigilance from the local community can be a huge help. We urge those who live near schools to be vigilant this summer and report any unusual or suspicious activity they notice on school grounds.”
How to protect schools in Scotland this summer
Ensure CCTV systems have remote 24/7 monitoring services. Monitoring and alerting the police is far more effective than tracing criminals after a crime has taken place.
Install remotely monitored intruder alarms and change alarm security codes and passwords on a regular basis.
Install security lighting systems that have motion sensors to detect body movements.
Restrict access to school premises. Well-designed perimeter security such as walls, fences and electric security gates, and anti-climb paint help to prevent people from getting onto school sites.
Restrict vehicular access to the school site. Locate any designated parking as far from the school building as possible. The further thieves have to travel on foot the greater the risk of detection.
Use security marking systems such as SmartWater which can help with successful prosecution of thieves.
Ask the local community near your school to be vigilant and report any unusual or suspicious activity they notice on school grounds.
Inform neighbourhood watch schemes / police liaison officers of planned work over the holidays as thieves might pose as contractors.
Seek advice. Specialist insurers can offer advice and expertise to help schools manage security risks. Insurers can offer a combination of onsite and remote risk management services including security assessments and advice, alongside broader property protection and building valuation services.
Ecclesiastical Insurance offers a range of risk management support and guidance to help schools manage the risks they face.
For more information, visit the Ecclesiastical website for education risk guidance here.
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a serious assault which occurred in Victoria Park last night (Friday, 12 July, 2024).
Around 6.50pm a 19-year-old man was with two friends in Victoria Park, off Newhaven Road, when they were approached by two men on Sur-Ron style motorbikes.
One of the men proceeded to stab the victim in the arm before they both made off on the bikes in the direction of Craighall Road.
Emergency services were called and the victim was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh where medical staff describe his condition as stable.
The first suspect is described as being in his early 20’s, of slim build, 5ft9, and was wearing a balaclava, all black clothing and black trainers.
The second suspect is described as being in his early 20’s, of slim build, 5ft9 and wearing black clothing.
Detective Inspector Gavin Howat said: “This appears to have been a targeted attack on the victim and extensive enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding this attack.
“Victoria Park would have been busy at the time of the incident and we would like to speak to anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious, or may have seen the two suspects on Sur-Ron style motorbikes.
“We would also appeal to anyone with private CCTV or dashcam footage of the surrounding area to check in case they have captured anything which could be of significance to our investigation.
“Anyone with information can contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 3052 of Friday, 12 July, 2024. You can also speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
POLICE have released images of a male officers would like to speak to in connection with a robbery which occurred on Tuesday, 4 June, 2024 at around 1:45pm on Brunswick Street in Leith.
Officers believe the male in the images could assist them in their ongoing enquiries and are appealing for the male himself or anyone who may recognise him, or has information about this incident, to get in touch.
The male (pictured) is described as a white male, aged approximately 17-18-years-old, 5ft 9 tall, slim build, pale skin, local Edinburgh accent and short ginger/brown hair.
He was wearing a black Nike hoody and Nike jogging bottoms.
Anyone who recognises the male pictured or has any information is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101 quoting incident number 1808 of 4 June, 2024.
Alternatively, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where you can give information anonymously.
UPDATE 12.07.24 16:00
A 13-year-old male youth has been arrested and charged in connection with a robbery in Edinburgh. The incident took place on Brunswick Street in Leith around 1.45pm on Tuesday, 4 June, 2024.
Consultation published on changing the point of release
Individuals could spend more time under community supervision as part of their prison sentence, a consultation has proposed.
Views are being sought on changing the point of release under licence conditions for people serving a custodial sentence of four years or more, which would provide a more managed return to the community and be a proportionate way to reduce the pressure on the prison estate.
The proposals, if implemented, would not apply to those who are serving an extended sentence for violent or sexual offences.
Currently most people serving long-term sentences, unless previously recommended for parole at an earlier stage – are released under community supervision six months before the end of their sentence. Consultation proposals suggest this could be done for a third of their sentence.
This would return the position to that prior to 1 February 2016 for most long-term prisoners.
Under the proposals, those released would be subject to licence conditions, supervision, and ultimately recall to custody. The individuals would be subject to individualised risk assessment ahead of release, with licence conditions reflecting the conclusions of that assessment and being set on the recommendations of the Parole Board.
Victims would continue to have the right to receive certain information about a prisoner in their case, including their release dates, and to make representations under the Victim Notification Scheme.
Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: “Supervision is a commonly used element of custodial sentences – as part of efforts to prepare individuals nearing their return to the community to settle and ultimately to not re-offend.
“Our proposals would bring forward the point at which long-term prisoners are released so individuals spend more time under licence conditions in the community before the end of their sentence.
“Individuals would continue to serve their sentence but do so in the community under strict supervision, which can improve reintegration back into society and reduce the risk of re-offending.
“We are considering these measures to find a better balance between the time spent in custody and time supervised in the community, particularly following the recent increase in the prison population when Scotland already has one of the highest in Western Europe.
“Public safety will be paramount. Release under licence conditions means strict community supervision and specific support in place informed by robust individual risk assessments of prisoners. These measures would be introduced through legislation, requiring debate and the approval of Parliament. I invite people to share their views.”
