Dog’s life for wrongdoers as Zico strikes twice!

Six men have been detained in connection with alleged housebreaking and thefts following excellent work by police dogs and handlers with the Lothian and Borders Police Specialist Support Unit.

At around 4.25am this morning (Wednesday 11 July), police were called to Craigcrook Road in Blackhall after two men were spotted acting suspiciously in the area. Officers detained one man within a white Transit van but another male made off into nearby woodland. He was tracked by Police Dog Zico, a German Shepherd, who immediately picked up the scent and the man was very quickly traced hiding within foliage.

It’s been a busy old morning’s work for Zico – an hour earlier police responded to an address in Clovenstone Drive after receiving reports of men trying to steal a car. On arrival, a group of men made off from the scene and were pursued by officers. Police dogs Ellie and Zico were deployed and within a short time all four men had been traced in and around garden areas of Clovenstone Gardens.

The men detained during both these incidents are all currently assisting police with their investigations.

Police are also following a positive line of enquiry following the theft of a quad bike at Ransfield Farm in Ratho around 6am yesterday (Tuesday 10 July 2012). PD Ellie, who was deployed to assist with the search for two men seen stealing the vehicle, soon after recovered a balaclava believed to belong to one of the suspects. The item is now being analysed by police, who are warning would-be thieves to think twice before becoming involved in acquisitive crime.

Chief Superintendent Derek Robertson, Operations Division Commander said: “Lothian and Borders Police are committed to promoting preventative policing and regularly engage with our local communities to offer advice and guidance on how to keep properties and valuables safe from criminals. However, whenever a crime does occur, we will use all the resources at our disposal to identify and trace those responsible and bring them to justice.”

He continued: “Our police dogs are trained to an extremely high standard and are regularly used with great success during the various operations and day-to-day policing duties the Force undertakes. As these recent incidents have shown, those who flee the scene of a crime can and will still be brought to justice based on the competent work carried out by the our dogs, their handlers and the other specialist resources Lothian and Borders Police can utilise during an investigation.”

Minister welcomes crime rate fall

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill yesterday welcomed official statistics which show that recorded crime fell again last year to its lowest level since 1975. Tuesday’s Recorded Crime statistics show that the number of crimes recorded by the police in 2011/12 fell by three per cent compared to the previous year – a decrease of around 9,000.

The figures also showed that the number of crimes involving handling offensive weapons have fallen by 10 per cent since 2010/11, and by 44 per cent since 2006/7. The number of crimes involving handling an offensive weapon is now at its lowest level in 18 years.

Mr MacAskill said: “These figures are further good news for Scotland and underline that our communities are becoming increasingly safer and stronger. This is the fifth year in a row where recorded crime has fallen – to a 37-year low – and with police numbers remaining well above our pledge to put 1,000 extra officers on our streets.

“I congratulate every one of the more than 17,000 police officers across Scotland for their excellent work to prevent and detect crime and catch criminals. What we are seeing is that recorded crime continues to fall at a time when police officer numbers are strong.

“Next year will see the introduction of a single police service which will strengthen local policing. Reform will protect the frontline and strip costly and unnecessary duplication out of the current structures, delivering estimated savings of £1.7 billion over 15 years.

“There are many pleasing aspects to today’s statistics. I am particularly pleased to see a 10 per cent reduction in crimes involving handling an offensive weapon, an area where we’ve seen crimes fall by 44 per cent since 2006/7.

“We have invested heavily in this area, specifically in our efforts to reduce knife crime. We have rolled out our highly successful No Knives, Better Lives education campaign across the country to get the message across to young people about the dangers and consequences of carrying a knife, and encourage more positive life choices.

“I am pleased we are seeing positive results, and will continue to spread that message and work to reduce knife crime even further.

“However, there is no room for complacency. We take the safety of our communities very seriously, and we will continue to support the outstanding work of our police, prosecutors and courts to bring those responsible for crime to justice.”

Witnesses sought to West Granton assault

Lothian and Borders Police are appealing for witnesses after a disabled woman was assaulted and robbed in West Granton Road yesterday.

The 52-year-old, who suffers from Huntingdon’s Disease, was walking southwards along West Granton Road towards the Morrison store between 10.30am and 11.20am on Thursday when someone approached her from behind.

The suspect grabbed hold of the woman’s handbag strap and pulled on it violently, causing her to fall to the ground before making off with the bag, which contained cash and other personal possessions, towards Pennywell Road.

Two passers-by then came to the victim’s aid and she was taken to the ERI where she is currently being treated for a dislocated shoulder.

Detectives are now keen to speak with anyone who was in the area yesterday morning and remembers seeing anything suspicious.

The suspect is described as white, around 5ft tall with a skinny build, wearing a dark hooded top with the hood worn up concealing their face and dark trousers.

A police spokesman said: “This was a sickening and opportunistic assault and robbery on a clearly vulnerable woman and we are carrying out enquiries in the local area to identify the person responsible. As the victim did not get a good look at the suspect we are unable to say at this time if they were male or female and would urge anyone who witnessed this incident to come forward and assist with our enquiries. We believe a number of cars may have been driving past during the time of the attack and these motorists are asked to contact police immediately.”

Anyone with any information can contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or the charity Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.

Be alert to bike theft

Lothian and Borders Police are appealing for witnesses following a recent spate of bike thefts in the North of Edinburgh. Between 16 May and Tuesday 5 June five bicycles were stolen from addresses in Inverleith Terrace, Comely Bank Avenue and Rodney Street. The combined value of the stolen cycles is around £1500.

Prior to each theft, individuals claiming to be delivering takeaway menus were allowed entry to the common stairs. Police believe these recent incidents are linked and are urging those who live within flat blocks to be vigilant when allowing people access to the building.

A police spokesman said: “The stolen bikes were used for recreation or for essential transport and the victims are all deeply upset and frustrated by these thefts. Officers have made enquiries with all local takeaways in the area and none of these businesses are currently leafleting. Residents within common stairs should always be wary of who they permit entry to and report any suspicious activity they witness to police.”

He continued: “Anyone who can assist us with our enquiries to identify those responsible for these recent thefts is also asked to come forward immediately. Members of our communities who would like crime prevention advice and information on protecting their possessions can contact their local policing team or visit our website at www.lbp.police.uk.”

Anyone with any information can contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or the charity Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.

Man stabbed in disturbance at Muirhouse flat

A 21-year old man has been stabbed following a disturbance at a flat in Muirhouse in the early hours of Saturday.

Police were called to Fidra Court at around 04:30 and found the man with serious injuries.

He was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

A spokesperson for Lothian & Borders Police said they are following a positive line of inquiry but are still keen to speak to anyone with information who was in the area at the time.

If you have information you can call the Police on 0131 311 3131.

Thief caught using mugged Evelyn’s bus pass is jailed

A THIEF caught using a pensioner’s bus pass to travel to court the morning after she was brutally assaulted and left for dead has been jailed for a year.

Police cordened off the area around the area — Police cordon off the area around the entrance to Ferryhill primary School where Mrs Crawford was attached. (Picture: Thomas Brown)

Alexander DeVries was accused of attacking 75-year-old church elder Evelyn Crawford in Drylaw after detectives found him with her property, including the pass.

However, a sheriff has ruled that there was not enough evidence linking the 36-year-old – who has previous convictions for theft, wilful fire-raising and assault – to the crime.

Instead, DeVries has pleaded guilty to charges of “theft by finding” and fraudulent use of the pass.

A trial at Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard that Mrs Crawford’s mobile phone was used to call DeVries’ ex-partner three hours after the robbery on January 15. DeVries admitted using Mrs Crawford’s pensioner’s bus pass the next day to travel to the court for a hearing.

Following the ruling, police chiefs said they were “not looking for anyone else in connection” with the robbery.

Mrs Crawford was unable to identify the man who tore her handbag from her grip, sending her sprawling to the ground and suffering from injuries to her head, broken fingers and broken ribs, which punctured her lung. She needed an operation to remove fluid from her lung.

The court heard detectives recovered CCTV footage from a Lothian bus in the days after the attack, which showed a man using Mrs Crawford’s bus pass. Detectives were able to trace the man as DeVries and a search of his home recovered the victim’s mobile phone, bus pass, wallet and her glasses and case.

Interviewed by officers on January 26, DeVries claimed he had found the mobile phone on a bus while the other items were lying on the ground in West Pilton Rise.

During the interview, which was played to the jury, one of the detectives said: “Everything you found in the last few days belonged to the elderly victim of a robbery. What are the chances of that?”

DeVries replied: “I didn’t rob anyone. It’s not in my nature to rob or steal from anyone. You can say what you want, but I didn’t rob anyone.” DeVries also told the officers: “I really, really sincerely didn’t rob the old lady. Picking up stuff from the ground, I’ll do. Robbery, theft, not my cup of tea.”

Detective Constable James Philp, one of the detectives on the inquiry, said that Mrs Crawford’s phone showed a call to DeVries’ ex-partner at 9.48pm on January 15. Mrs Crawford was attacked and robbed at around 6pm.

DeVries had claimed to police that the phone, which he said he found on a number 37 Lothian bus, was out of battery and he was unable to use it.

Told during the interview that the phone was taken during the robbery, DeVries said: “No danger. Check the cameras on the bus and you’ll see.”

Sheriff Paul Arthurson QC ruled yesterday that the charge of assault and robbery against DeVries – who has been on remand since his arrest on January 26 – could not be heard by the jury. he sheriff said: “There was not sufficient identification of the accused as being the robber. The overwhelming evidence of possession could not correct that defect in the case”.

A police spokesman said: “While we recognise the decision, we are not looking for anyone else in connection with this crime.”

In July 2010, DeVries – a father-of-one – was left with a ten-centimetre scar across his face after being slashed with a knife by two muggers in West Pilton Park.

Man pleads guilty to rape of Drylaw pensioner

A TEENAGER today admitted raping and killing a frail pensioner who regarded him as a grandson.

Jay Soso, 19, pleaded guilty to carrying out the horrific sex attack on 63-year-old Marie Reid at her home in Easter Drylaw Way, Edinburgh on November 11, 2010.

policetape — Jay Soso admits having sex with the pensioner.

Mrs Reid’s body was discovered four days later after family and neighbours became worried because they hadn’t heard from her.

She was found lying in the living room in a bloodstained nightie. Pathologists say that the trauma of the rape contributedd to Mrs Reid death.

Initially, police thought that Mrs Reid’s death was not suspicious, but her son Paul, 31, and step-daughter Jacqueline pressed for further investigations to be made.

At this point it was discovered that someone had had sex with Mrs Reid just before her death.

The cause of death was unascertained, but pathologists said that the rape would have put an additional strain on her heart and lungs and could predispose her to sudden death

Prosecutor Leanne Cross told the High Court in Glasgow: “The deceased was raped on the evening of November 11, 2010. She had died at that time and the rape had made, at the least, a material contribution to the death.

Police contacted everyone who knew Mrs Reid and when interviewed Soso said he had not seen her for a couple of months.

However he gave a mouth swab which was a match for DNA found on Mrs Reid.

The court heard Soso and his mother lived next door to Mrs Reid for five years between 2003 and 2008.

He helped Mrs Reid by running errands for her and she was described by Soso’s mother Sharon as treating him “like a grandson.”

Soso’s family moved to England, but he didn’t like it there and moved back to Edinburgh.

By 2010 he had a job in a fishmongers in the city and lived close to Mrs Reid.

He visited her occasionally claiming he was checking to see how she was.

Speaking outside the court, Mrs Reid’s son Paul said he became worried that something terrible had happened to his mother when he noticed the pre-paid meter for her television was missing along with a tin she collecting loose change in and her purse was empty.

Paul and his step-sister Jacqueline Sanderson, 38, and her husband Gordon, 54, asked for the matter to be thoroughly investigated.

He said: “If it wasn’t for us and our persistence it could have been recorded as a natural death.”

Judge Lady Dorrian deferred sentence on Soso of Spring Gardens, Edinburgh, for background reports and an assessment of the risk he poses to the public until later this month and remanded him in custody.

Security RULES for cyclists

Lothian and Borders Police are offering cyclists the opportunity to make their bikes secure at two forthcoming sessions.

At Craigleith Retail Park on Thursday 24 May (12 – 2pm) and at Ocean Terminal on Tuesday 5 June (5 – 7pm) you can have your bike registered and UV marked for £5, or registered, UV marked and electronically tagged for £10. Some lucky cyclists could get this done for free so get there early!

Remember those rules:

UV mark it

Lock it

Electronically tag it

Secure it

Lothian and Borders Police

Witness appeal after Pilton theft

Lothian and Borders Police are appealing for witnesses after a Royal Mail employee had items stolen from his car. The incident happened on Tuesday, sometime between 11.30am and 12.45am in West Pilton Avenue. A 34-year-old postman parked his car in the area and returned to find the vehicle had been broken into and two Royal Mail jackets and a bag of mail were stolen from inside.

Officers have carried out local enquiries to trace the stolen property and have urged anyone who can assist with their investigation to come forward.

A police spokesman said: “These items have no significant financial value. However, the mail could be of a personal nature and the clothing may allow the suspect to pose as a Royal Mail employee. Anyone who witnessed this incident or who saw anything suspicious in the West Pilton Avenue area yesterday morning is asked to contact police immediately. The public is also reminded to ask for identification from anyone requesting access to your property. Always check with the company they claim to represent if you are uncertain and if you’re still not satisfied, then call the police.”

Anyone with any information can contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or the charity Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.

Wig thief hunted by Police

A THIEF who assaulted a woman on New Year’s Day made off with her bag – and her novelty wig.

The 22-year-old woman was walking home from Hogmanay celebrations in the capital on Sunday morning when she was assaulted by the New Year’s reveller.

The incident happened at 1am on January 1, when the student was walking opposite theWestern General Hospital.

A man stopped the woman and said “Happy New Year” before snatching her wig and handbag.

The novelty wig fell off and the thief made off with it and her small silver handbag which contained her keys and mobile phone, which he pulled from her shoulder.

A Lothian and Borders police spokesperson said: “This was a particularly distressing incident for the victim who fortunately was not injured. It was a totally unprovoked attack on an innocent young woman who had been heading home after enjoying a night out. She made her way home before contacting us but was obviously very upset by what had happened.

“This is quite a busy area and there would have been a lot of traffic around that time. We would like to hear from anyone who may have witnessed this and especially appeal to taxi drivers who may have been in the area and seen the suspect.”

The thief is described as being a white man in his 20’s, and is around 5ft 8 in.

He has short ginger hair and was wearing a white T-shirt and dark coloured trousers at the time of the attack.

He was last seen heading in the direction of Orchard Brae.

Anyone who has information about the attack should contact Lothian and Borders police on 0131 311 3131 or the charity Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800555111.