A 35-year-old man has been sentenced to eight years in prison following a serious sexual assault in Edinburgh.
Ali Chikane attacked his female victim on Monday, 5 February, 2024 in the Murieston Crescent Lane area of Dalry, leaving her with serious injuries.
He appeared at the High Court in Edinburgh on Wednesday, 19 November, after being convicted at the same court last month.
Detective Inspector Keith Taylor said: “I would like to commend the strength of the victim during this investigation after such a traumatic and frightening incident.
“Chikane is a dangerous and violent individual. I am glad he will now face the consequences of his despicable actions in prison.
“We would encourage anyone who has experienced any form of violent or sexual offence, regardless of when it happened, to report it to us. We will investigate thoroughly and have specially trained officers and partner agencies who will support you throughout.”
A man has been charged in connection with the distribution of illegal fireworks in Edinburgh.
Prior to Bonfire Night 2025, Edinburgh Division CID conducted local inquiries into individuals linked with possessing and selling fireworks, which intelligence suggested were intended for use in disorder offences.
Over 1200 kilos of illegal fireworks were subsequently seized during this time, including one tonne recovered in Rosyth on 27 October.
Further investigation was carried out jointly with Merseyside Police and yesterday (Tuesday, 18 November) a 28-year-old man was arrested by officers from both Police Scotland and Merseyside Police and was charged with Conspiracy (aid, abet and incite disorder).
Detective Inspector Stevie Dick from Edinburgh CID said: “This arrest is testament to the outstanding collaboration between Police Scotland and Merseyside Police and our joint commitment to removing illicit and harmful items, such as illegal fireworks, from our communities.
“A number of lines of inquiry remain ongoing into offences identified prior to, and during the Bonfire Night period and we will utilise all resources at our disposal, working alongside key partners, to bring offenders to justice.”
Liverpool Local Policing Sergeant Ken Blundell from Merseyside Police said: “It is pleasing to see this investigation progressing, and as always it a pleasure to work alongside our colleagues in Police Scotland.
“When police forces work in partnership, we stand stronger to remove obstacles reduce risks to our communities.”
POLICE in Edinburgh are appealing for the help of the public after two males were seriously injured in a hit and run by a quad bike.
The incident happened around 3pm yesterday (Saturday, 15 November) in the Niddrie Mains Road area, near to the Jack Kane Community Centre.
The males, aged 15 and 20, were taken to hospital for treatment.
Detective Sergeant Alex Johnston said: “Our enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.
“I am keen to hear from anyone who was in the Niddrie area on the afternoon of Saturday and saw a quad bike being driven around, or who witnessed the crash, to get in touch with us by contacting 101 and quoting incident 2026 of the 15 November.
“Similarly, anyone with dashcam footage or private CCTV which may have captured what happened should contact us.”
POLICE in Edinburgh have launched Operation Winter City 2025 – the annual policing campaign to keep the public safe as they visit the city centre over the festive period.
There will be an enhanced presence of officers out on patrol to engage with people and offer reassurance and crime prevention advice, as well as to respond to any incidents that may arise.
Chief Inspector Craig Rogerson, Gold Commander for Operation Winter City, said yesterday: “Anyone who’s ever visited Edinburgh over the festive period knows just how amazing the city is at this time of year.
“That’s why it’s important that our policing response is appropriate and proportionate to meet the demand of the additional visitors to the Capital, but to also reflect the very special atmosphere that is generated during Christmas and New Year.
“Local officers will be supported by colleagues from neighbouring divisions during patrols throughout the city-centre and anyone requiring assistance is welcome to come and speak to them, whether it’s to report a crime, or request information.
“On behalf of everyone within Edinburgh Division, I wish you all a safe, secure, and Merry Christmas.”
Two people have been arrested and charged in connection with robberies and attempted robberies in Edinburgh city centre.
Between Wednesday, 12 November and Thursday, 13 November, 2025, three people were approached in the city centre and asked to hand over belongings.
A 53-year-old man and a 36-year-old woman are due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Friday, 14 November, in connection.
Detectives believe there was another attempted robbery on Nicolson Street 3.55am on Wednesday, 12 November, 2025, and this has not yet been reported. Officers are appealing for the couple, and the member of the public who intervened in this attempted robbery, to come forward.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting reference 0320 of 12 November 2025.
Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Police are appealing for information following a robbery in Edinburgh.
Around 4.10am on Wednesday, 12 November, 2025, a woman approached another woman on Crichton Street and threatened her with a knife before making off with the victim’s handbag.
Further CCTV enquiry traced the female suspect with a man on Nicolson Street. The pair are then seen to approach a couple on Nicolson Street, where it’s believed an attempted robbery occurred.
The second incident has not yet been reported to police and officers are appealing for the couple, and a member of the public who intervened, to come forward.
Detective Sergeant Mike Campbell said: “Although the victim of the robbery on Crichton Street was not injured, this was a frightening incident and we’re following a positive line of enquiry in identifying the suspects.
“We’re aware from enquiries carried out, the suspect met with a man and may have gone on to commit a further attempted robbery. I’d appeal to the victims of that incident to come forward. I’d also ask the member of the public who stepped in to help to contact police, as they may have vital information.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting reference 0320 of 12 November 2025.
POLICE are appealing for information following a robbery at a premises on Slateford Road.
The incident happened around 6.15am on Sunday (9 November), when a man entered a store and threatened a staff member and demanded money.
He made off in the direction of Gorgie Park Road with a four-figure sum of cash and cigarettes. No one was injured.
The suspect is described as around 5ft 10ins, of slim build and spoke with an English accent.
He was wearing a royal blue fleece with grey side panels and grey cuffs and a black hoodie underneath, black Nike jogging bottoms with a double white stripe on the legs and dark-coloured trainers with a white sole and red flashes on the heel. His face was covered.
Detective Inspector Alan Sharp said: “Fortunately the staff member was not injured but he was left very upset by what happened.
“Enquiries are ongoing and we are asking anyone who saw what happened, saw the suspect or knows who he is to get in touch.
“Please also check any private CTV or dash-cam you might have and contact us if anything has been captured that could assist with our investigation.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on101, quoting incident number 0929 of Sunday, 9 November, 2025, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
Thousands of premises have been targeted in the second iteration of Operation Machinize, a national initiative targeting the criminal exploitation of high street businesses.
Operation Machinize 2, led by the National Crime Agency (NCA) and conducted in cooperation with the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), ran throughout October and involved every UK police force and Regional Organised Crime Unit, Home Office Immigration Enforcement, Trading Standards, HM Revenue & Customs and Companies House.
During the operation, the partnership delivered:
2734 premises visited and raided
924 individuals arrested
Over £10.7m of suspected criminal proceeds seized
Over £2.7m worth of illicit commodities destroyed
These figures include the removal of 70Kg of cannabis from our streets, 111,000 harmful, illegal vapes, 4.5m illegal cigarettes and 622Kg of illegal tobacco (equalling £3.5m of duty taxes evaded). Furthermore, 341 Referral Notices for illegal working and renting were issued meaning businesses could face fines of up to £60,000 per worker with landlords facing fines of up to £20,000 per tenant if found liable, and over 450 companies have been referred to Companies House for further investigation.
This is the largest operation of its kind focused on rooting out the economic crime and grey economy that makes our high streets less safe and prosperous.
The NCA estimates that at least £12bn of criminal cash is generated in the UK each year, which is typically smuggled out of the country or integrated into financial systems, often to be recycled back into criminality.
High street businesses such as mini-marts, barbershops, vape shops, nail bars, and car washes are used to make the proceeds of crime appear like the legitimate profits of a trade or service. High street businesses are also being used to sell illicit products and evade tax, and are often linked to other types of criminality such as drugs supply and the serious violence it causes.
Earlier this year, the NCA established Operation Machinize after identifying the criminal exploitation of high street businesses was beyond the scope of any one organisation. Working in partnership with the NPCC, it aims to catalyse a large-scale operational response to a multi-faceted problem.
This approach – coordinated nationally and delivered in our communities – ensures the most effective use of powers and capabilities, capitalising on the strengths and remits of each participating agency.
Machinize was established to target economic crime on the high street with this iteration also focusing on the grey economy. There is a known overlap with the exploitation of high street businesses, illegal working and the evasion of customs and excise duties. This overlap also includes modern slavery and unsuitable living and working conditions, and safeguarding individuals at risk is remains a priority for the partnership.
Rachael Herbert, Director of the National Economic Crime Centre at the NCA, said:“Operation Machinize targets businesses on our high street that are being used as cover for a wide range of criminality, making our communities less safe and less prosperous.
“This second phase of Operation Machinize has set a new standard for what can be achieved through the coordinated action of UK law enforcement. Thousands of officers have been deployed up and down our country, targeting criminal profits and the means of generating them.
“Hundreds of thousands of harmful and illegal products have been taken off our streets, and over £10m in cash, frozen in bank accounts and criminal assets seized.
“Depriving criminals of their source of income has a real impact, limiting the amount of funds they can reinvest in further offending and deterring them from taking spaces on our high street that could be used by legitimate businesses.
“These excellent results demonstrate what can be achieved in partnership and show the determination of UK law enforcement to keep our communities safe. We ask for the public’s support as we move forward and to continue to report suspected criminality to the police.”
Sal Melki, Senior Lead for Machinize 2 at the NCA, said:“Machinize 2 has pioneered a whole-system approach to addressing this problem, with the NCA hosting a joint operational cell where our partners could bring their powers, expertise, and energy to tackling an issue the British public care about.
“Over the course of the month, we have learnt a lot about the threat, the different types of offending occurring on our high street and what tactics are effective in combatting it. We have also learnt that this type of offending is not restricted to any one area, type of shop or demographic.
“The scale of this challenge is significant, but it is also important to remember that the majority of shops on our high streets are not considered suspicious.
“While there is organised crime occurring at the top of the pyramid, we do not underestimate the aggregated effect that thousands of shops engaged in so-called lower level criminality is having on our communities and the criminal supply chains that profit from them. The Machinize model therefore relies on local knowledge and delivery just as much as national coordination and intelligence.
“This phase of the operation has been a big success and is one of the largest operations of its kind. We acknowledge the problem won’t be solved overnight or through disruptive action alone – today’s high street is subject to many socio-economic factors beyond the scope of a law enforcement partnership.
“We are therefore working closely with government to use the learning from this operation to build on and develop long-term solutions.”
Security Minster, Dan Jarvis said:“Criminals are using these dodgy shops as fronts for serious organised crime, money laundering and illegal working, risking the future of the British high street.
“We have intensified our joint efforts with law enforcement to dismantle criminal networks and relentlessly pursue those who use dirty money for personal gain.
“Together we have seized millions in criminal assets, removed harmful drugs from our streets and arrested hundreds of criminals who are undercutting honest business owners. I want to thank every officer who took part in this operation.”
Deputy Commissioner Nik Adams, NPCC Lead Financial Investigation:“This action has seen a huge collective effort from UK law enforcement agencies, working together to tackle organised gangs who exploit cash intensive businesses for criminal gain.
“We’ve seen every force in England and Wales working to build intelligence pictures, ensuring we are targeting people who are laundering illicit cash through businesses. We know this money will have links with other forms of criminality such as the exploitation of workers, people trafficking and the sale of illicit goods.
“Not only are we tackling this activity but through this action, we are gaining information and forming a wider picture on high harm offending. Our message is clear, we are alive to the activity happening and we are identifying and bringing to justice those who misuse businesses on our high streets for illegal gain.”
Kevin Hubbard, Director of Individual and Small Business Compliance at HM Revenue and Customs, said:“We are determined to allow honest businesses to thrive which is why it’s crucial we work closely with our law enforcement partners to take action against any business that we suspect are undermining the tax system.
“The majority pay the tax that is due, but we will pursue those who refuse to play by the rules.”
Hourglass Charity Warns of 2.6 Million Victim-Survivors with numbers set to increase, as National Summit Convenes
The UK’s older people are losing more money to abuse than was stolen in the largest ever cash heist, with projections showing over 1.5 million people could become victim-survivors annually by 2030, the charity Hourglass revealed today.
The Tonbridge Securitas depot robbery of 2006 – which saw armed criminals steal £53 million – has long stood as the UK’s most audacious cash theft. Yet new analysis from Hourglass, the only UK-wide charity dedicated exclusively to ending the abuse of older people, reveals that fraudsters and abusers have stolen that amount from older victims across the UK.
The sobering figures emerge as ministers, safeguarding experts and frontline practitioners prepare to convene virtually for the Safer Ageing Summit 2025 on 12th November, where they will confront what Hourglass describes as “the most under-recognised safeguarding crisis of our time.”
According to Hourglass projections, by 2030, almost 4 million older people across the UK could experience abuse annually – encompassing physical, psychological, sexual, and economic exploitation and neglect. The charity warns that whilst these crimes rival organised heists in scale, they receive only a fraction of the attention, resources, or political priority.
“The reality is stark: abuse of older people is rising, but recognition, resourcing and political attention are still lagging behind,” said Richard Robinson, CEO of Hourglass. “We can’t keep treating older people as an afterthought in safeguarding policy.
“By 2030, almost 4 million older people could be victim-survivors every single year. That should be a national wake-up call.”
Expert panels will tackle critical issues including: Economic abuse and urgent legal reforms to powers of attorney; the intersection of housing, health, and systemic ageism; the sexual abuse of older people – what experts call “one of the last taboos in safeguarding”.
The summit will feature powerful testimony from Laura Johnston-Brand and Karen Lee, founders of the Willie’s Law campaign through their own lived experience, who are championing urgent reforms to prevent the financial exploitation of vulnerable older people through misused powers of attorney.
Hourglass is demanding immediate government action including: Stronger legal protections against economic abuse of older people; mandatory age-disaggregated data collection across all safeguarding services and a coordinated UK-wide strategy to end abuse in later life.
Richard Robinson added: “We hope our Summit will not only remind people of these sobering statistics but drive urgent action to put the abuse of older people at the top of the political agenda where it belongs.”
Release programme includes exclusions and governor vetoes
The Scottish Parliament has approved plans to release more short-term prisoners early due to rising prison numbers.
Following parliamentary approval of the regulations, this means:
Short-term prisoners serving sentences under four years and within 180 days of their scheduled release are eligible for emergency release
Anyone serving a sentence for sexual offences or domestic abuse, and registered sex offenders, is excluded from the release plan
Prison governors can veto an eligible person’s early release if there is evidence they would pose an immediate risk to specific individuals or groups.
Based on the approved criteria, approximately 440 prisoners could be released in the first three fortnightly tranches over November and December 2025.
Around 550 could be released over the remaining four monthly tranches from January to April 2026, with January likely to see the largest release.
Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: “These emergency measures are necessary and proportionate to maintain prison security and good order, as well as the safety and welfare of prisoners and staff.
“Emergency release will reduce the prison population within days, with scheduled releases over six months maintaining this effect.
“These regulations include safeguards: statutory exclusions for sex offenders and those serving sentences for domestic abuse, plus additional exclusions for prisoners with unspent domestic abuse convictions or non-harassment orders.
“In addition, prison governors can veto releases that pose an immediate risk of harm to an identifiable individual or group.
“This is not a decision I take lightly, but action is necessary. The Scottish Prison Service’s (SPS) Assessed Capacity Tolerance has been breached repeatedly, with many establishments at red risk status.
“The SPS risks failing to meet statutory duties and legal obligations.
“I absolutely recognise that the early release of prisoners can be a cause for concern for victims and I would encourage anyone wishing to do so to join the Victim Notification Scheme or contact the SPS direct.
“We are committed to a sustainable prison population long-term, including opening new prisons in Inverness and Glasgow.
“We will consider recommendations from the independent Sentencing and Penal Policy Commission, due by end of 2025, to address Scotland’s disproportionately high prison population compared to other European countries while maintaining a safe, rehabilitative environment.”
