A man has been charged after a quantity of herbal cannabis and plants with a combined street value of more than £28,000 were discovered at a property off Ferry Road yesterday (January 31). More than £2000 in cash was also seized during a search of the flat in West Ferryfield.
The 37-year-old is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today (February 1).
Police are looking for help to trace a masked thief who made a knifepoint robbery at a shop in Pilton last night (Sunday). The incident happened at about 20:40 at the Day Today shop in Boswall Parkway.
A 23-year-old man was working behind the counter when the thief demanded money, jumped over the counter and stole a plastic box containing a three-figure sum of cash and international telephone cards worth £200.
The thief is white 20 to 30-years-old, between 5ft 2ins and 5ft 5ins tall and of stocky build. He was wearing a black hooded top with the hood up, light-coloured trousers, black Converse-style trainers with a black balaclava covering his face.
Constable Alistair McLeod, of Lothian and Borders Police, said: “This was a frightening experience for everyone within the store and we are conducting local enquiries to identify the suspect. A male matching his description was then seen within a garden in Pilton Avenue at about 21:00 before making off.
“We are now asking anyone who remembers seeing anything suspicious in either Boswall Parkway or Pilton Avenue on Sunday evening to contact police immediately. Similarly, anyone with any other information that can assist with our investigation is also urged to come forward.”
Last night’s incident follows another knifepoint robbery at St Mark’s Park last Friday.
Lothian and Borders Police are appealing for witnesses following a knifepoint robbery near St Mark’s Park in Warriston this morning (Friday).
The incident happened at around 7.30am. A 42-year-old man was walking near the entrance of St Mark’s Park when a male on a red motor scooter and another male who was on foot approached him. The male who was on foot then presented a knife and both demanded the man hand over his possessions.
After the victim gave his phone, he fled from the suspects and contacted police. Detectives are now keen to speak with anyone who was in or around the park this morning and can assist with their enquiries.
The first suspect is described as having a slight build and wearing a motorcycle helmet and dark clothing.
The second suspect is described as white, around 18-years-old, 5ft 9ins tall with a slight build. He was wearing a dark hooded top with the hood up, light trousers and a white chequered bandanna covering most of his face.
Both men spoke with local accents.
Detective Constable Graham McIlwraith said: “At no time during this incident was the man assaulted with the knife. Nevertheless, it was a frightening ordeal and resulted in the theft of his phone. We are conducting local enquiries in the area and would urge anyone who remembers seeing the distinctive red Vespa-style scooter, or the suspects to come forward.
“The victim spoke with a man walking his two dogs just after the robbery and this individual may have witnessed the incident. He is asked to contact police immediately. Similarly, anyone who can help us trace those responsible is asked to come forward.”
Those with information can contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or the charity Crimestoppers in complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.
Police have confirmed a male has been arrested in connection with the mugging of a 73 year old woman in Drylaw thins morning. The incident happened near the entrance to Rowanfield School on Groathill Loan. Its believed the male pushed the woman over before running off with her handbag towards Telford Road.
Police used sniffer dogs to search for the suspect and its understood he was caught nearby on Groathill Road North.
Local Councillor Gavin Barrie said “This type of outrageous attack is unacceptable on any age of person but to mug a lady of this age is disgusting in the extreme, I look forward to hearing that the full weight of the legal system is brought to bear on them.’
The NEN understands the 73 year old victim is a dinner lady at the school.
Glasgow crime writer Alex Gray received a warm welcome when she visited Muirhouse Library as part of Scottish Book Week events last night. The award-winning author discussed her love of books, how she gets ideas for her stories and read extracts from her latest novel, A Pound of Flesh.
Alex has had a love of books and reading from her earliest years – as a child she was lucky enough to have had an older sister at secondary school, so she grew up with Greek myths and legends, Scheherazade and the Arabian Nights! The author also recalled one particularly prophetic primary school teacher who told Alex – who was then eight years old – she was convinced that she would become a writer when she grew up!
It was actually some years later that the teacher’s prophesy finally came true – Alex turned to writing when illness forced her to quit her job as an English teacher, and decided to write crime novels because she enjoyed reading them! She’s since gone on to write six best-selling novels.
The writer said that she has always been very interested in people and what motivates them, and that the initial inspiration behind her ideas is inquisitiveness and curiosity: wondering ‘what if …?’ Alex remains an enthusiastic member of a local writer’s group and offers advice to aspiring authors when dealing with publishers: ‘Three Ps – politeness, patience and perseverance.’
A Pound of Flesh will be published by Sphere Paperbacks on 6 December
Recorded crime is falling in North Edinburgh. Statistics compiled for a community policing event held at Craigroyston High School last night show that overall crime in Forth has fallen by 10% over the first seven months of this year, while in Inverleith the figure is an impressive 31% – a reduction of almost one-third over the same period.
For the year to date in INVERLEITH Ward:
Housebreaking (homes) – down 42% (24 fewer houses broken into)
Housebreaking (businesses) – down 42% (10 less businesses broken into)
Robbery – down 86% (6 fewer victims)
Break-in to cars – down 46% (23 fewer cars)
Vandalism – down 55% (136 fewer victims)
Overall crime down 31%
In FORTH Ward:
Housebreaking (homes) – down 13% (8 fewer homes broken into)
Housebreaking (business) – down 58% (11 fewer businesses broken into)
Break-ins to cars – down 40% (32 lfewer cars)
Vandalism – down 27% (156 fewer victims)
Fire-raising – down 40% (17 fewer dangerous fires).
Overall crime down 10%
Commenting on the figures, Drylaw Police Inspector Mark Rennie said: “These are an excellent set of figures for the area for the first part of the year (April to October). To achieve such significant reductions in vandalism in both the Inverleith and Forth wards is really important – it means less damage, a better environment and an improvement in the behaviour of young people who predominantly commit this type of crime. Vandalism is a crime which always causes a great deal of concern locally, and it often provides a guide as to the overall amount of antisocial behaviour being experienced within communities”.
“To have 292 fewer crimes (156 Forth, 136 Inverleith) in a fairly short period is good news by any measure and gives an indication that the approach taken by the local Police Safer Neighbourhood Team and the Council Community Safety Team produces results. What we have to do now is continue that focus to ensure we maintain the improvements made and seek further reductions.”
The Craigroyston event was one of a series to allow communities in Edinburgh to have their say on how local policing should be delivered in their area. Staffed by police, fire service and council officers the drop-in session gave local residents an opportunity to discuss safety issues and to suggest local priorities ahead of the introduction of the single Police Service of Scotland next April.
Chief Superintendent Malcolm Graham, Commander of the City of Edinburgh Division, said: “We know that the key to policing communities effectively is to listen to local people and then deliver in partnership with them. These consultations are crucial to how we plan and set objectives. I am very much looking forward to hearing the feedback.”
The aim of the consultations is to make the 2013/14 Police Plan more responsive to public opinion and requirements at a ward level, with meetings being held in each of the six different Council neighbourhood areas.
Councillor Michael Bridgman, newly appointed Convenor of the future city Emergency Services Committee, said: “These meetings are a great opportunity for local communities to share their views with the police and council as to what they see as their policing priorities for the future. We would like to hear about the issues that really matter when it comes to delivering a first class police service. I would urge people to come along to any of the planned meetings, have your say and make a real difference.”
A twelve year old boy was attacked a gang of youths in West Pilton last night. The boy was walking in Ferry Road Place at around 7pm when he was approached by six or seven youths and assaulted. The boy managed to make it to a local shop and was taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, where he was treated for injuris to his face and body before being discharged.
The attackers are descibed only as being male, white and wearing hooded tops, but despite that general description police are hopeful that members of the public will come forward with information.
Safer Neighbourhood Team Sergeant David Happs said: “This was an unprovoked assault on a young boy and a terrifying experience for him. Fortunately he was able to flee his attackers and sought assistance at a nearby shop. We are conducting various lines of local enquiries to identify those responsible and will have a high-visibility police presence in the area to offer reassurance to the local community. Anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious in the area on Monday evening is asked to contact police immediately.”
Those with information can contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or the charity Crimestoppers in complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.
Best-selling Scottish crime writer Alex Gray will visit Muirhouse Library on Monday 26 November at 6.30pm. The Glaswegian author, who has nine published crime novels, will be reading from her new paperback A Pound of Flesh and answering audience questions about her writing and the Lorimer series.
The event is free – contact Muirhouse Library on 529 5528 for further details.
Lothian and Borders Police are appealing for witnesses after a disabled man was assaulted and robbed at his home in Broughton Road. The incident happened at around 12.50pm on Thursday (15 November).
The 39-year-old, who is blind and requires the use of crutches and a wheelchair, received a knock at his door and went to answer. When he opened the door a male forced his way in and presented a sharp object before robbing the man of his possessions. A struggle ensued during which time the victim suffered a cut to his face and was knocked to the ground before the male made off from the property.
Police are now keen to speak with anyone who can assist with their enquiries.
The suspect is described as being around 5ft 10ins tall with a slim build. He had a local accent, is believed to be in his mid twenties or early thirties and smelled strongly of stale body odour, smoke and alcohol.
Detective Sergeant Dave Pinkney said: “This was a despicable and opportunistic theft, which targeted a vulnerable man who was virtually unable to defend himself. Despite his visual impairment, the victim has provided us with a fairly detailed description of the suspect and we are carrying out enquiries within the local community to identify him. Anyone who was in the Broughton Road area on Wednesday afternoon and remembers seeing anything suspicious, or who can help us trace the man responsible for this crime is asked to contact police immediately.”
Those with information can contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131
or the charity Crimestoppers in complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.
