Tag: Crime

Trinity housebreaker snared during Operation RAC

police (2)Police in Edinburgh have arrested 20 people in the past week in connection with over 50 acquisitive crime offences, including housebreaking as part of the ongoing Operation RAC.

Since Tuesday 7 January 37 housebreaking offences, which took place in the Trinity, Murrayfield, Kirkliston , Grange and city centre areas have been solved and those responsible have been charged or reported to the Procurator Fiscal.

These arrests equate to a 52 per cent solvency rate for all reported housebreakings in Edinburgh over the course of that week.

One of the detected offences relates to the arrest of a 47-year-old man, who was apprehended on Friday 10 January in connection with three break-ins and thefts from addresses in Trinity. A large quantity of jewellery worth £10,000 was recovered and has been returned to its rightful owners.

The man was scheduled to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday.

Detective Inspector John Kavanagh said: “Officers across Edinburgh have been carrying out various lines of enquiry of the past week to identify those responsible for housebreaking and acquisitive crime throughout the Capital.

“As a result, 20 people have since been subject to police action and we continue to investigate further to bring more offenders to justice as part of Operation RAC.

“While we are delighted with the number of arrests being made in relation to housebreaking, we are committed to stopping the public falling victim in the first instance and we have taken a proactive approach to providing our communities with crime prevention advice if and when it is required.

“Since Operation RAC began, officers in Edinburgh have issued three times as many crime prevention surveys, which help us identify potentially vulnerable areas and in turn provide those within these areas with information and guidance on safeguarding their homes, businesses and possessions.

“Anyone wishing to complete a crime prevention survey, or who would like more information on crime prevention can contact their local policing team.”

Witnesses appeal following Granton Ladbrokes robbery

A police investigation is ongoing following a robbery at a Ladbrokes bookmakers on West Granton Road on Thursday evening.

The incident took place just before 9.30pm when two men walked into the bookmakers and demanded that staff hand over money. A three-figure sum was taken during the incident.

A third suspect is believed to have been in the vicinity at the time of the robbery.

The first suspect is described as white, male, 5ft 9in tall, skinny build, late teens to early 20s, local accent, wearing a dark hooded top, dark scarf covering his face, dark tracksuit bottoms.

The second suspect is described as white, male, 5ft 9in, skinny build, late teens to early 20s, dark clothing with his face covered.

The third suspect is described as white male, 5ft 9in, medium build, wearing a black hooded top with the hood up and grey joggers.

Detective Constable Alison Wyllie said: “This was a terrifying incident for the staff member who was working alone in the premises, and we are keen for anyone who was in the area at the time, or who recognises the description of the suspects to get in touch with police immediately.”

Enquiries are ongoing and anyone with any information should contact Police Scotland on 101, or Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.

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Witnesses sought to Ferry Road assault

Local police are investigating an assault and robbery which took place on Ferry Road near the Ferry Road Drive junction at around 11.25pm last Friday (20 December).

Detective Constable Sam Gillies, from Edinburgh CID, said: “A 39-year-old man got off a number 37 bus at Ferry Road and crossed towards Ferry Road Drive, where two men were loitering.

“As he approached to pass them one of them demanded his wallet before punching him on the face knocking him to the ground. They both then kicked and punched him on the head and body before stealing money from his pocket.

“The man was left very shaken by the assault but fortunately was not seriously hurt.

“The two suspects are described as white men with Scottish accents aged in their late twenties. One of them was of large build with short hair and the other was of skinny build wearing a grey woollen hat.”

Police would like to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time or who saw anyone matching these descriptions loitering there earlier in the night.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101

or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

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Police launch national campaign to target housebreaking

Police Scotland has today launched a national campaign to tackle housebreaking across the country. Operation RAC will be implemented in various areas throughout Scotland to identify those responsible for break-ins and thefts and bring them to justice.

Since 1 April Police Scotland has provided dedicated resources to communities to tackle crimes of violence, sexual assaults and domestic abuse and as a result, greater numbers of these offences are being reported and solved. During this time, the Force has observed an overall increase of around 4% in housebreaking, with a number of areas reporting greater levels of crime than the national average.

As part of Police Scotland’s commitment to community engagement, housebreaking has been identified as a local priority for certain regions and these divisions will now be provided with additional resources and support to address the issue.

The operation will initially run within Edinburgh, Forth Valley, the Lothians and Scottish Borders, Fife, Highlands and Islands, Aberdeenshire and Moray, Aberdeen city and Lanarkshire. In each location, dedicated policing teams have been created to exclusively investigate housebreakings within homes, outbuildings and businesses and apprehend the individuals responsible.

Housebreaking offences will continue to be monitored throughout Scotland and extra support can be provided to any area requiring a more robust response to tackle this issue.

Throughout Operation RAC, Police Scotland will work closely with partners at COPFS to ensure housebreakers are being appropriately dealt with and removed from communities where possible.

Assistant Chief Constable Wayne Mawson said: “Police Scotland remains committed to keeping people safe and I am delighted with the professionalism and dedication our officers have shown as part of our continued focus towards violence reduction.

“We recently launched our local policing campaign, which provides us with the opportunity to speak with individual communities and identify the issues or concerns specifically affecting their area. As a result, housebreaking has been highlighted as a priority for a number of our divisions and officers in these areas will be taking targeted action to detect anyone involved and deter further offences from occurring.

“We are keen to work not only with our partner agencies, but with our communities to address the issue of housebreaking and crime prevention advice for safeguarding your home, shed, outbuildings and businesses can be found on our website – www.scotland.police.uk

“I say this message directly to those intent on committing housebreakings in Scotland – if you engage in this invasive and distressing form of crime, we will use every resource at our disposal to remove you from our communities and ensure you spend time behind bars.”

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Bogus workmen alert

Police in North Edinburgh are appealing for witnesses following two bogus caller incidents in the area this week.

An 84-year-old woman was within her home on Bellevue Road on Monday (9 December) at around 10am when two men called at the door offering to carry out maintenance on the property.

After agreeing a fee with the occupants, one of the men left to get equipment while the other man followed the lady into her back garden to retrieve an item.

On going back into the house the victim stopped to lock the backdoor while the man went out into the front. She realised at that time that her purse had been stolen and both men had disappeared.

Both men are described as white, Scottish, with a local accent, around 50 years old, with an average build and 6ft tall. One of the men had a full beard.

In the second incident, an 85-year-old woman was at her home in Davidson Mains on Tuesday (10 December) at around 3.30pm when a man arrived at her door asking if she needed any gardening done. When she refused, the suspect asked if he could come in while waiting for someone. She agreed and whilst in the kitchen area the suspect is believed to have taken her handbag and gone back outside.

The suspect is described as having a tanned complexion, aged late 20’s to early 30’s, possibly sporting a moustache or facial stubble and spoke with a local accent. He was  wearing a dark winter hat, dark jacket and dark trousers.

Detective Inspector Stuart Harkness from Police Scotland said: “The elderly occupants have been left very upset after having their belongings stolen from within their house. Anyone who remembers seeing anything suspicious in the Belleview or Davidson Mains area of the city is asked to contact police immediately.

“Bogus workmen normally prey on the most vulnerable members of the community, particular the elderly and our communities are asked to be vigilant for people calling at the doors of neighbours, friends and loved ones.

“Similarly, all members of the public are advised to check the identification of anyone attending at their address seeking to carry out work. If they are not happy with the callers they should refuse them entry and phone the police”.

Anyone with any information should contact Police Scotland 101, or the charity Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.

Young mother robbed in her Pilton home

Police are appealing for witnesses after two men burst into the home of a young mother in West Pilton and made off with money on Friday night.

The 23-year-old woman was with her toddler son at an address in West Pilton Green when two men – one of whom was armed with a knife – entered her house at about 11pm on Friday.

Police Scotland said they fled with a small amount of money when the family dog started barking.

The pair were said to be about 16-19 years old and wearing hooded tops.

One was wearing a dark tracksuit with a hooded top and the other was wearing grey tracksuit bottoms, a grey hooded top with a dark band over the shoulders and three white stripes on the sleeves.

Det Sgt Gary Harrison said: “We are appealing for information to help trace the two men who were responsible for this. Neither the mother nor her child were injured during this incident but it was very frightening for them and they are shocked.”

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Police appeal following local bogus workman incidents

Police in Edinburgh are appealing for witnesses following bogus workman incidents in Drylaw, Craigleith and Pilton.

The most recent incident happened around 10.30am last Thursday (7 November).  The 78-year-old victim was in her Queens Road home when the male suspect called there offering to carry out gardening work.  The offer was repeatedly declined, however the suspect managed to gain entry to the house where he was later disturbed and fled the scene empty handed.

The other incidents happened the previous day (Wednesday 6 November) in the Drylaw area.  The first two incidents happened around 1pm in Easter Drylaw Avenue and Easter Drylaw Gardens respectively, when again gardening work was offered.  The residents who were approached declined the offer, but during one attempt the suspect falsely told the victim that their gardening work, which is carried out by the council, had been withdrawn.

The later incident happened around 3.15pm at West Pilton Drive.

The suspect is described as white, late-thirties or early-forties, around 5ft 10inches, tall, slim build, short dark hair, of tidy appearance with an Irish accent.  He was wearing a white sweatshirt with navy horizontal stripes, navy coloured jeans, carrying a dark brown shoulder bag.

Detective Constable Ben Leathes from Operation Aristotle, which tackles bogus callers in the Capital said: “The elderly victim has been left very upset that the man had entered her home. Bogus workmen target vulnerable members of our community and utilise various methods of deception to do so.

“Members of the public are reminded never to allow a caller into their home unless entirely certain of their identity.  If you have any doubts, do not let them in and contact police immediately.

“Similarly, anyone requiring maintenance or repair work for their home should only use a company or individual whom they trust and never hand over money to anyone who cold-calls at your door.

“Neighbours and family of vulnerable people are also asked to be vigilant for suspicious people in their area and report any concerns for a member of the community to police immediately.

“Anyone wishing advice on crime prevention can dial 101 or contact their local policing team.”

Anyone with information can contact Police Scotland on 101, or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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Scotland and the UK: safer together?

Threats to Scotland and the UK from organised crime gangs, cyber criminals and global terrorism are best confronted with Scotland inside the UK, Home Secretary Theresa May claimed today. However ‘Yes’ campaigners have been quick to challenge the Home Secretary’s analysis and say that Scotland will continue to work closely with international partners on security issues.

The Home Secretary (pictured below) was in Edinburgh to launch ‘Scotland analysis: Security’, the seventh in a series of UK government papers to inform the debate ahead of next year’s independence referendum.

The paper examines how the UK and Scotland derive mutual benefit from an integrated approach to security, cyber, justice and policing, as well as from security exports and our international alliances and relationships.

The possible consequences for both Scotland and the continuing UK of a vote for independence are subject to analysis in the paper. It stresses that while the UK does work with other countries, such as the Republic of Ireland, to improve security and fight organised crime, there is a significant difference between these relationships and Scotland’s current position as a privileged and influential part of the UK.

The analysis concludes that independence could disturb the united protection provided to Scotland by the UK’s security and intelligence architecture. The report suggests:

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  • Scotland facing a technically complex and expensive requirement to establish its security infrastructure. In the meantime, there would be a risk to both Scotland and the continuing UK of diminished security.
  • Scotland no longer being covered by the UK’s National Cyber Security Programme, which strengthens the services the public rely on and makes the UK a safer place for businesses to operate.
  • Co-operation between Police Scotland and other UK forces may not be as straightforward as it is now. Long established UK-wide laws make it easier to pursue justice across borders despite different legal systems and police jurisdictions.
  • A limit to the amount of information the continuing UK would be able to share with Scotland. Under the “Control Principle”, the UK could not share the kind of information used to fight and counter terrorism with Scotland, passed to it by another country, unless the UK had that country’s consent.

Home Secretary Theresa May said:

“This report sets out in plain terms the security consequences of independence, not just for Scotland but for the UK as a whole. Undoubtedly we are stronger and safer together.

“The national security risks the UK faces are complex and changing. Terrorists and organised criminals will seek new ways to exploit any weakness in our justice and policing capabilities, and the scale of emerging threats, such as cyber crime, demands a comprehensively resourced response.

Now is the time to work more closely together for the security of all citizens of the UK.”

The UK government believes that Scotland is better off as part of the UK, and that the UK is stronger, safer and more secure with Scotland as part of it.

In the event of a vote in favour of leaving the UK, Scotland would become an entirely new state and would have to establish its own security arrangements.

However, supporters of independence have been quick to refute the Home Secretary’s claims. The Scottish government said that, in the event of independence, Scotland would work closely with the rest of the UK and international partners on security and intelligence matters.

KennyMacAskillJustice Secretary Kenny MacAskill (pictured above) told the BBC: “These claims are wrong – not least because Scotland is already an independent jurisdiction when it comes to policing and justice issues, and current cross-border cooperation shows how well that can work to combat terrorism and other threats.

“An independent Scotland will have first-rate security arrangements to counter any threats we may face. And we will continue to work in very close collaboration with the rest of the UK and international partners on security and intelligence matters, which is in everyone’s interests.”

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Local police initative tackles stolen vehicle crime

DSCF6437Police in North Edinburgh are carrying out an initiative to prevent youths riding stolen motorcycles and cars in the area. The four-week operation involves a team of police and council officers working in the Muirhouse, Pilton and waterfront areas to prevent the theft of motorcycles and youths riding around local estates.

As well as an increase in foot patrols, officers have been utilising hand held cameras to capture potential evidence and to identify offenders. The police helicopter – a regular sight (and sound!) over North Edinburgh recently – is also being utilised to provide a bird’s eye view of the problem, enabling officers to get to the right locations quickly to ensure they can recover stolen vehicles.

The police have also enlisted the support of the City of Edinburgh Council’s local Environmental Wardens who have been checking likely disposal areas as part of their patrols and specialist Roads Policing resources have also been drafted in to assist.

Inspector Mark Rennie of Drylaw Police Station said: “There has been a significant amount of concern in the local community over this problem and we’ve been working hard over the summer to ensure we can provide additional resources into the area to prevent it.

“Since the beginning of August we have recovered 40 stolen vehicles and charged 20 youths with related offences but our aim is to prevent this type of risk taking behaviour over the longer term. As well as talking with young people at local schools about the risks, we will be speaking with local youth groups and agencies with a view to making every effort to divert those involved into positive activities in their community.

“We’ve had great support from our community groups and elected representatives who can see the efforts being made and how the use of the helicopter is often quickly preventing any escalation on the evenings when the problems occur.

“I’d like to thank residents who have already called us with information and would ask anyone to call us immediately if they see what they believe to be a stolen motorcycle being used or hidden by youths in the area.

“To keep local people up to date we are putting out regular updates of our progress on our local twitter account and I’d encourage residents to follow it for additional information: @EdinNorthPolice.”

The City of Edinburgh Council’s Community Safety Leader, Councillor Cammy Day, said: “The theft of motorbikes and cars by young people has become a real problem in the north of Edinburgh and one that I know is a matter of great concern to the local community.  I am very glad to see additional Police resources being used to tackle this extremely serious issue and by working with local people I am confident that the initiative will be a great success. I would urge anyone with suspicions that a vehicle that might be stolen to contact the Police so that they can respond quickly and hopefully stop this worrying trend.”

Anyone with information should contact Police Scotland on 101, or make an anonymous report through the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police appeal following Wardie Park assault

Police in Edinburgh are appealing for witnesses following an assault that happened in Wardie Park on Tuesday night (20 August).

The 70-year-old victim is believed to have flagged a taxi on Broughton Street or London Street and then traveled in a silver London Hackney Cab to Wardie Park.

Police are looking to trace the driver of the taxi who may be able to assist with enquiries.

Detective Constable Richard Johnston of Police Scotland said: “This assault was on a vulnerable, elderly man with a medical condition and if anyone has any information they should contact police.

“We are keen to trace the driver of a taxi who may have picked up the victim around the Broughton Street area.”

Police are appealing to anyone with information that can assist their inquiries to contact Police Scotland on 101, or Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111.

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