'Shock and Dismay' over speeding figures

Speeding drivers caught every two minutes during police campaign

Police chiefs are ‘shocked and dismayed’ following a three-day crackdown on speeding drivers. A total of 1837 drivers were detected breaking the speed limit during the 20 -22 July campaign across Scotland – equivalent to one every two minutes.

In addition a further 62 drivers were reported for driving dangerously or carelessly during the campaign organised by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland.

Among the worst offenders were a 21-year-old man travelling at 114mph in Aberdeenshire, a woman travelling in Edinburgh at 71mph in a 40mph limit with three children in the vehicle, and a man detected at 95mph through road works on the M90 in Fife.

About 12.37pm, Friday 20 July, Road Policing officers stopped a Mercedes ML300 on Cultins Road, Edinburgh as the driver was driving whilst using her hand held mobile telephone. Enquiry revealed that the driver’s driving licence had been revoked earlier this year for an accumulation of 12 penalty points. The vehicle was seized under the terms of section 165 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the driver reported to the Procurator Fiscal. The current value of the vehicle is in excess of £30,000. About 9.50pm on 22 July, Road Policing Officers stopped a 17-year-old from Tranent on the A1 near to Wallyford for speeding. The speed was recorded at 101mph, the driver was reported to the Procurator Fiscal.

Chief Superintendent Derek Robertson from Lothian and Borders Police, who is the ACPOS lead on Casualty Reduction, said: “I am shocked and dismayed at the level of speeding and inappropriate driving which my fellow officers have dealt with during the three days of the campaign. The links between excessive speed and collisions causing death or serious injury are clear and those who flout the speed limits put themselves and others at risk.

“Almost 115,000 speeding offences were recorded in Scotland in 2010/11 which represents over a third of all motor vehicle offences. Speeding is dangerous, costly and unacceptable. This has only reaffirmed the intention to continue our focus on irresponsible drivers, to make sure speed limits are acknowledged and the roads are made safer for everyone in Scotland”.

“Remember that speeding carries a minimum penalty of a £60 fine and three penalty points on your driving licence however, if you are convicted of dangerous driving, you will lose your licence for at least 12 months and you may be ordered to re-sit your driving test.”

Police renew appeal following Pilrig attack

Lothian and Borders Police are appealing for witnesses after a woman was seriously assaulted during the early hours of Sunday morning. The woman was found by members of the public in Pilrig Park.

The 23-year-old had been out with friends in the city centre and left the Picturehouse nightclub around 3am on Sunday 22 July 2012 to return home. CCTV enquires have shown that she made her way onto the West End of Princes Street before walking east.

Members of the public then found the woman within a play area of Pilrig Park at around 6am and contacted the emergency services. The victim suffered serious facial injuries and was taken to hospital, where she continues to be treated. Officers believe the attack was sexually motivated and have urged anyone who can assist with their enquiries to come forward.

Detective Inspector Scott Cunningham, who is leading the investigation said: “This has been a brutal and unprovoked attack on a lone woman as she made her way home. Her injuries could only have been caused through significant and violent force and a major investigation has now been launched.

“Anyone who remembers seeing any suspicious activity in or around the Pilrig Park area in the early ours of Sunday morning is also asked to contact police immediately. We are particularly keen to trace any rickshaw drivers, who may have been on Pilrig Street at around 3.30am. They are urged to get in touch as soon as possible to assist with our enquiries.”

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.

Police appeal for witnesses after woman injured

Police are tonight appealing for witnesses after a 23 year old woman was discovered in Pilrig Park at 6.00am this morning with serious facial injuries.

A Police Spokesperson said “A woman aged 23 was found this morning in Pilrig Park with serious facial injuries. She was taken to the ERI for further treatment and our enquiries are ongoing. We would ask anyone who was in the ae at the time or has any information to contact us on 0131 311 3131 or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Family plea for return of Elizabeth's bench

Elizabeth Maginnis memorial bench stolen

A bench dedicated to the memory of local councillor Elizabeth Maginnis has been stolen from Elizabeth Maginnis Court in Royston Mains, and the Maginnis family have issued a plea for information that could lead to it’s return.

Dunedin Canmore Housing Association opened the new care home complex in Royston Mains Crescent last November, and the building was named after the late Granton councillor who died in September 2008. The Maginnis family sited the engraved hardwood bench there, where it provided both a quiet and peaceful pspot for residents and visitors and also a place where Maginnis family members could remember a much-loved wife, daughter and mum.

However the bench was stolen last weekend and the family are now desperate for it’s return.

Elizabeth’s husband Michael said: “On Saturday morning Elizabeth’s mother Betty received a call from her friend Ella, who is a resident at Elizabeth Maginnis Court, to say that the bench had gone. She said the bench was definitely there at 10pm on Friday night but it had gone by 8am on Saturday morning”.

He continued: “It’s absolutely awful for the family, deeply upsetting and we’d like to hear from anyone who has any information that could lead to it’s recovery. It’s a unique bench, heavily engraved, and really it’s of no use to anyone other than our family. For us, the bench has been a focus for our family – it was touching when Elizabeth Maginnis Court was named after Elizabeth, but that’s not quite so intimate as having the bench itself. We’re devastated”.

Among the engravings on the bench are the words: ‘In loving memory of Elizabeth Maginnis. A wonderful wife,fantastic mum and great Councilllor’.

There are some indications of how the bench was removed and there are CCTV cameras in the area, but Michael hopes that local people will also come forward with information.

“We are not really interested in who took it or why, we just want the bench back and would be so grateful if local residents would get in touch if they have any information at all. Many local people knew Elizabeth and I think many people will be disgusted with what has happened. If anyone knows anything, however small, please come forward”.

If you have any information that could lead to the recovery of the bench, please telephone Drylaw Police Station on 343 3171, Fettes HQ on 311 3131 or the concierge at Dunedin Canmore on 478 8888. Alternatively you can also call Crimestoppers in complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.

Family plea for return of Elizabeth’s bench

Elizabeth Maginnis memorial bench stolen

However the bench was stolen last weekend and the family are now desperate for it’s return.

Among the engravings on the bench are the words: ‘In loving memory of Elizabeth Maginnis. A wonderful wife,fantastic mum and great Councilllor’.

There are some indications of how the bench was removed and there are CCTV cameras in the area, but Michael hopes that local people will also come forward with information.

Terror suspect arrested in Leith

A fugitive alleged to be part of the Basque separatist group, Eta, has been arrested in the Leith area – more than 10 years after he went on the run. Lothian and Borders Police arrested Benat Atorrasagasti Ordonez – who has been on Spain’s ‘most wanted’ list since 2008 – in a Friday night raid.

A spokesman for Lothian and Borders Police said: “A 36-year-old man has been arrested in Edinburgh on two European warrants, in connection with historical crimes committed in Spain and France.

“We can confirm that no armed officers were involved and at no time was any member of the public at risk. The man will appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday under the terms of the Extradition Act.”

The Basque separatist organisation ETA was formed in 1959, waging a campaign of terror that has included bombings, shootings and kidnappings costing hundreds of lives. The group declared a ‘permanent ceasefire’ in October last year – but it’s only the latest of many.

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.”

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.

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

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.