City hails success of crime crackdown

Police in Edinburgh have hailed the success of an operation targeting drug dealers and serious and organised criminals in the Capital. Operation Amend has resulted in the arrests of 25 people, along with the seizure of around £300,000 worth of drugs and almost £250,000 in cash.

The seizures included quantities of cocaine, crack cocaine and heroin, as well as a cannabis cultivation. Over £200,000 in cash was recovered from one address in Musselburgh alone.

Police Scotland’s Detective Superintendent Gareth Blair said: “There is no doubt that Operation Amend has struck a serious blow against drug dealers and serious and organised criminals operating in Edinburgh. We have arrested and charged a number of individuals with alleged drugs offences, and removed a significant quantity of drugs from the streets of the Capital.

“Police Scotland is committed to keeping people safe, and we will relentlessly pursue all those who we suspect of involvement in drug dealing and serious and organised crime. At the same time we will continue to work closely with our community partners in order to make our communities safer and secure.

“We would ask the public to play their part by providing us with information on drug dealers and serious and organised criminals operating in their community. Anyone with any information should contact Police Scotland on 101, or make an anonymous report though Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: “While honest, hard-working members of the public struggle in these challenging financial times, it is galling and distressing to see drug dealers and those involved in serious organised crime flouting their ill-gotten wealth.

“It is thanks to vital information supplied by the public and the hard work of police that serious and organised criminals across Scotland are being identified and brought to justice. Ultimately, it shows that the combined efforts of communities, police, and enforcement agencies all contributes to making Scotland a safer and stronger place to live.”

Councillor Cammy Day, Community Safety Leader, said: “I am very pleased that Operation Amend has been such a success and believe this demonstrates how strengthening community links with the police can make our neighbourhoods safer. It sends a clear signal that drug-related crime will not be tolerated and I would like to thank all members of the community for their support of this very worthwhile initiative.”

Professor Alison McCallum, Director of Public Health and Health Policy, NHS Lothian, said: “We continue to work closely with Police Scotland, health services and other agencies throughout Lothian by providing a broad range of services to help and support individuals to address the causes and consequences of problematic drug use.”

Police probe vicious assault

Police are investigating after a man in his 30s was the victim of an assault by a group in Wardieburn Place West at around 20:20 tonight

Its understood the male suffered face and head injures and was taken by ambulance to ERI.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said “Police were called to Wardieburn at around 20:20 after reports of a male being assaulted. He was taken by ambulance to ERI and we would ask anyone with information to get in touch with us on the non emergency number 101”

Scotland set for lower drink drive limits

Scotland is on course to adopt stricter drink driving limits than the rest of the UK following a government consultation. The vast majority of people who responded would like to see a lower drink drive limit in Scotland, with almost three quarters (74 per cent) of respondents to Reducing the Drink Driving Limit in Scotland believing that drink drive limits should be reduced.

The analysis also revealed that amongst those who want to see a lower limit, there was widespread agreement (87 per cent) with the Scottish Government’s proposal to lower the blood alcohol limit from 80mg of alcohol in every 100 ml of blood to 50 mg of alcohol in every 100 ml of blood.

The consultation responses suggested the likely benefits of a lower limit would be fewer road accidents and fewer casualties. A number of respondents also called for the Scottish Government to be given further powers to tackle drink driving.

Speaking at an event at Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh to highlight the harm caused by drink driving last week, Justice Secretary cKenny MacAskill confirmed that the Scottish Government will now be taking the necessary steps to bring in a lower drink driving limit in Scotland.

Mr MacAskill said: “Drink driving can shatter families and communities and we must take action to reduce the risk on our roads. On average, 30 families every year have to cope with the loss of a loved one and around 900 people are treated for injuries caused by someone who thought it was acceptable to drink alcohol and get behind the wheel and drive. We cannot let this continue. Lowering the drink drive limit will help make Scotland’s roads safer and save lives. The evidence is clear and the vast majority of those who responded to our consultation support the Scottish Government’s plans for change.

“The consultation now allows us to progress formal discussions with the police and the UK Government on the recalibration and testing of drink drive enforcement devices to ensure prosecutions are as robust as possible. Before a lower limit is introduced we will also consider issues such as how motorists driving into Scotland from England will be made aware of the lower limit. We are exploring options with Transport Scotland, police and justice and road safety partners as we move forward with our plans. Once we have progressed these issues over the next few months, I will be asking the Scottish Parliament to approve regulations to lower the limit.”

Dr Dave Caesar, Clinical Director of Emergency Medicine, NHS Lothian, said: “NHS Lothian runs Scotland’s busiest Emergency Department and we are too often faced with alcohol related emergencies in our hospitals. We welcome the results of the consultation to lower the drink drive limit. Alcohol in your blood stream slows your reaction times and how long it takes to process visual information. A lower drink drive limit would prevent road traffic accidents and deaths on our roads and therefore reduce the number of people who needlessly die each year.”

Kathleen Braidwood, road safety officer for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) in Scotland, added: “Far too many people are being killed on our roads as a result of people who drink and drive, so RoSPA is delighted to see that a clear majority of people are in favour of the Scottish Government’s proposal to reduce the current drink-drive limit. One of RoSPA’s long-standing campaigns is for the drink-drive limit to be lowered from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood to 50mg, not just in Scotland but across the whole of the UK.

“People need to realise that any amount of alcohol impairs a driver’s ability to judge speed and distance while behind the wheel. Alcohol also slows reaction times and can make drivers over-confident and more likely to take risks. Lowering the drink-drive limit will not only contribute to making our roads safer but also have a wider social impact.”

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.”

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.”

Investigation after male found with injuries

An investigation has been launched after a male was found with injuries at Northview Court on Pennywell Road this morning.

Police guard the outside of Northview Court. (Picture: Robert pearson)

Scottish Ambulance Service has confirmed that a 46 year old male was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary with injuries which included a nail lodged in his face.

More to follow.

Police seek witnesses following Marine Drive incidents

Police in Edinburgh are appealing for witnesses following two bogus caller incidents in Marine Drive yesterday (Wednesday 27 February).

The first incident happened around 12.45am, when the suspect called at an address in Marine Drive and asked for a drink of water. She pushed her way into the premises and was given a drink, before leaving empty-handed.

The next incident happened ten minutes later, at another address in Marine Drive. This time, the suspect asked to use a phone to call a taxi, and was allowed into the premises. She appeared to use the phone, and then made her way to the homeowner’s bedroom where she began looking through several trinket boxes before leaving, again empty-handed.

The suspect is described as white, 28 to 35-years-old, 5ft 5ins tall, stocky build, with light brown hair, wearing a dark jacket with hood, and carrying a tan coloured handbag. She spoke with a local accent.

Detective Constable Gavin Watson, from Lothian and Borders Police, said: “While no items were stolen in these incidents, it is likely that the suspect had called at these addresses with the intention of stealing any items of value that she could. We want anyone who received a similar call at their home address yesterday to contact police, and if anyone recognises the description of the suspect then they should also get in touch.

“At this time we would urge anyone who receives an unsolicited call at their home address by anyone asking for access to the property to refuse, unless they are completely satisfied that the caller is genuine. Anyone who has any suspicions over the intentions of any cold caller should contact police immediately.”

Anyone with any information should contact Lothian and Borders Police on 101, or Crimestoppers and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.

Man charged over Gumtree assaults

An eighteen year old man has been arrested and charged in connection with alleged robberies from people who posted items for sale online.

The man was held by police investigating a series of alleged incidents at McDonald’s car park off Telford Road, where three people have had electrical goods stolen after arranging to meet a “buyer”.

The man will appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court tomorrow.

Public warned over Gumtree scam

Police in Edinburgh are investigating a series of robberies and assaults on people selling electronics online. Two of the thefts involved computers and a third involved a mobile phone – which had been advertised on the Gumtree website – and the robberies took place after sellers agreed to meet potential buyers in McDonald’s car park on Telford Road.

The most recent incident happened on Monday (18 February) when a 24-year-old man was threatened and robbed of an Apple computer he was attempting to sell. The other two incidents happened on Sunday 20 January and Monday 21 January.

Inspector Mark Rennie, from Lothian and Borders Police, said: “While no victims were injured, all were understandably distressed as a result of their respective ordeals, and we are carrying out inquiries in order to establish whether these incidents are linked. At the same time we are warning anyone conducting any transaction over Gumtree, or any similar website, to take precautions to ensure their safety.”

Lothian and Borders Police have issued advice for anyone who sells goods online, including to meet in a well-lit public place and get full contact details for any potential buyer you agree to meet.

Anyone with any information about these crimes should contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Positive public response to Made From Crime? campaign

A police campaign tackling people making money from crime has led to a significant increase in information about suspected criminals across the East of Scotland. The independent charity Crimestoppers has reported a 30% increase in intelligence reports since the “Made From Crime?” campaign launched across the area on 21 January.

Lothian and Borders Police, Central Scotland Police, and Fife Constabulary are all taking part in this phase of the campaign, which is designed to make specific use of the Proceeds of Crime legislation (POCA).

It asks members of the public to come forward and report their suspicions about people making money illegally. People are able to report information through a number of ways including telephone, online, and through specific facebook advertising that police forces are using to target communities throughout the East of Scotland.

The biggest rise in information came from the Fife Constabulary area, where there was an 80% rise in intelligence reports following the launch of the campaign.

The information has now been passed to police forces to investigate further.

A similar campaign that ran in the Lothian and Borders area in 2011 saw a 17% rise in information to Crimestoppers and allowed officers to target criminals in a series of raids across two days. During this period, over £6.4 million worth of assets were identified for seizure from criminals and 44 people were arrested.

Detective Superintendent David Gordon, Head of the Serious and Organised Crime Unit at Lothian and Borders Police, said: “Police forces across the East of Scotland are committed to targeting criminals who fund their lifestyles through crime. I am delighted that members of the public have come forward to tell Crimestoppers about their suspicions, and that they in turn have been able to provide us with vital intelligence to help us in our efforts to rid communities of crime. I know people can be scared to tell us about those who are making their lives a misery by peddling crime in their area, however please be reassured that all information will be treated in the strictest confidence.”

Kate Jackson, national manager for Crimestoppers Scotland, said: “The public response speaks for itself and clearly people are not prepared to put up with criminality so have contacted us with information. I would urge anyone else who has information about crime to contact us on 0800 555 111 where we guarantee their anonymity. No-one will ever know that they have contacted us, but they can be assured that their actions will assist in making their communities better places.”