POLICE in Edinburgh have issued images of a woman they believe may be able to assist with their investigation into a serious assault that took place in Leith on Monday, 5 December, 2022.
The serious assault took place around 1.25am within the Spey Lounge on Leith Walk.
The woman is described as white, 40-50 years-old, around 5 ft 6ins in height and of slim build with long, dark-coloured hair that was tied in a ponytail. She was wearing a black padded coat and white trousers.
Detective Constable Lyndsey Singer of Gayfield Police Station said: “We are keen to talk to the woman in these images in connection with this incident and would urge anyone who may recognise her to get in touch as soon as possible.”
Any witnesses to the incident can contact officers via 101. Please quote incident number 0143 of 5 December 2022. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
The 18-year-old, who can be named as Lewis McCartney, was found with serious injuries on Viewcraig Street around 3.45am on Sunday, 12 February. He was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh but died a short time later.
A 19-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with the death. He is expected to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today (Wednesday, 15 February).
Detective Inspector George Calder, of the Major Investigation Team, said: “Our thoughts are very much with Lewis’ family and friends. They’ve asked their privacy be respected at this very difficult time.
“I would like to thank the public for their assistance with our investigations.”
An urgent case review into the management of a transgender person in custody has found that at no point were any women in the care of the prison service at risk of harm.
The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) review also confirmed the person did not come into contact with any other prisoners during their time at HMP&YOI Cornton Vale and that SPS policy was followed during each decision making process and risk assessment.
The review makes four key recommendations into the management of transgender individuals:
the creation of a shared justice process for admitting transgender people to prisons in Scotland – to help improve decision making at admission and subsequent case conferences
better communication between justice partners to ensure a clearer approach to the transfer of transgender people from court to custody
for the wider SPS Gender Identity and Gender Reassignment (GIGR) Policy Review to consider improvements to ‘admission’ and ‘placement and management’ and for SPS to consider the weight of a person’s previous offending history to be considered as part of the case conference process
to strengthen the balance around the risk of harm with an individualised approach as part of the admissions process to prison, allowing for someone to be located in secure isolation for the sole purpose of a risk assessment based on known and unknown risks
In addition to the recommendations, SPS is also undertaking a full multi-disciplinary case review for each transgender person in custody. The Service is also continuing to progress, in dialogue with the Scottish Government and other stakeholders, a review of the management of trans prisoners as part of its GIGR Policy Review.
Until these reviews are complete any transgender person in custody who has a history of violence against women – including sexual offences will not be relocated from the male to female estate. Additionally, any newly convicted or remanded transgender prisoner will initially be placed in an establishment commensurate with their birth gender.
Justice Secretary Keith Brown welcomed the findings in a letter to the Scottish Parliament’s Criminal Justice Committee.
The Justice Secretary said: “Firstly, I want to acknowledge my concern for victims of crime and the distress caused to them. It is important that consideration of issues relating to the management of prisoners is measured and does not retraumatise victims or risk unintended consequences for transgender people or individuals in the care of SPS.
“All recommendations from the review have been accepted by Ms Medhurst as Chief Executive and will be progressed by SPS in collaboration with others as needed. As confirmed in the letter, SPS will factor the learning identified from this review into its Gender Identity and Gender Reassignment (GIGR) Policy Review, which is ongoing.
“Pending the outcome of the GIGR Policy Review, measures to provide reassurance as set out in Ms Medhurst’s letter will remain in place.
“I would like to acknowledge the work SPS has done in continuing to fulfil its operational responsibilities while completing the lessons learned review. SPS has considerable expertise in managing complex, high-profile and challenging individuals within their care and keeping people safe; and I commend their professionalism.”
In her letter, the SPS Chief Executive Teresa Medhurst reiterated that the SPS remained firmly committed to providing person-centred care to their entire population, including managing and identifying risks, which are not exclusive to transgender people in their care.
She added: “Staff in our establishments have demonstrated their long-standing expertise and strong track record in the management and care of an increasingly complex prison population.
“My priority remains the health, safety, and wellbeing of all people in our care, many of whom are the most marginalised in our society, and that of staff.”
POLICE are appealing for information following a high-value house breaking in the Liberton area on Thursday, 2 February 2023.
Between 5pm and 5.30pm a house on Greenpark was broken into and a five-figure sum of cash and a four-figure sum of jewellery stolen.
There was no one in the house at the time of the break-in and officers are keen to trace two men seen at the time. They left on foot in the direction of Burdiehouse Burn.
The first suspect is described as white, aged in his 40s, with grey hair. He was wearing glasses, a dark coloured jacket, blue jeans and dark trainers.
The second is described as white, aged in his 20s. He was wearing a baseball cap, black Puffa style jacket, black jeans, black trainers and was carrying a dark coloured rucksack.
Detective Constable Scott Lynas, of Corstorphine CID, said: “Officers have been carrying out extensive enquiries, including checking CCTV.
“We believe the property was targeted and we are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen these men, or anyone else acting suspiciously before and after the break-in. It is near an area popular with dog walkers so anyone with information is asked to get in touch.
“In addition, if you have private CCTV or dash-cam footage that could assist with our investigation then please also contact us.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police via 101, quoting reference number 3009 of Thursday, 2 February 2023. Alternatively, details can be passed anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Scotland’s trust in Crimestoppers sees anonymous information play vital role in catching murderers, fugitives & drug dealers
Over the past year (1st April 2021-31st March 2022,) independent charity Crimestoppers Scotland and their youth programme Fearless received over 16,000 contacts from the Scottish public.
As a result of anonymous information from communities across Scotland, over 350 (357) people were arrested and charged, including five with murder. Contacts about drug supply, manufacture and dealing continue to rise and the charity passed on information to the police which helped recover a ‘street value’ of drugs worth over half a million.
Fearless, the youth programme of Crimestoppers, saw over 58,000 young people from all across Scotland visit the charity’s youth website Fearless.org and reported crime – 100% anonymously – more than ever before.
Information from the public has achieved the following:
16,328 pieces of anonymous information were sent to Police Scotland & Law Enforcement. Whilst the headline figure is slightly below last years (a small decrease of 1%), this followed a record high year. 2020-21 saw the most disseminations (16,515) from the charity to Police Scotland in 34 years of Crimestoppers.
Dangerous criminals and wanted offenders were thwarted. Over 350 (357) criminals were arrested and charged by police due to Crimestoppers information in Scotland. This was a fall of 35% on previous year.
Five people were arrested and charged with murder/unlawful killings
Three people, who were on the wanted list, were caught and charged
Nearly 50 (48) disqualified and uninsured drivers were arrested and charged
54 drink/drug drivers were arrested and charged
Over a dozen (13) charged with hate crime
Firearms: Two were arrested for firearms offences, with one firearm and three hauls of ammunition were recovered
‘Street’ value of drugs recovered over half a million: £541,901
Value of property and cash recovered: £192,856
Over the past year, 12,709 pieces of information were recorded as `actionable intelligence’ by law enforcement. This means that 78% of all Crimestoppers anonymous information sent to Police Scotland was high-quality information.
Thanks to police action after receiving Crimestoppers reports, nearly a thousand positive outcomes followed (935). This was a 20% increase on the previous year and included 163 vulnerable and safeguarding issues.
Angela Parker, National Manager for Crimestoppers Scotland, said: ‘We are continually grateful for people across Scotland who come forward and trust us with their information.
“From drug dealing to child harm and neglect, we heard from thousands of people concerned about crime in their communities. We are so encouraged and grateful to those who contacted our charity – thanks to you, life is better for many and communities across Scotland are safer.”
Police Scotland’s Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie said: “The annual report makes it clear that our communities remain confident in using the service provided by Crimestoppers. The information provided anonymously helps Police Scotland’s officers tackle crimes that affect our citizens.
“We also want to acknowledge the support that Fearless provides to our young people, in schools and our communities which undoubtedly helped their resilience during the past few difficult years and understand that we can also play a part in keeping everyone safe.”
“We continue to work in partnership with Crimestoppers to encourage those who may be concerned about getting in touch with us directly to call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit its website to make a report anonymously.”
Minister for Community Safety Elena Whitham said: “The clear, significant impact that the information provided to Crimestoppers has had on tackling crime shows the power we all have to help keep our communities safe.
“It is extremely encouraging to see so many young people through the Fearless campaign play their part to help tackle crime. The information they have provided along with many thousands of others who have come forward has resulted in more than 300 less criminals on our streets last year.
“I would like to thank Crimestoppers, Police Scotland and members of the public for their support and efforts. The Scottish Government is backing this with £3.4 billion for justice system in the next financial year to fund vital front-line services, provide continued support for victims and witnesses, and to tackle the causes of offending.”
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a man was found seriously injured in the Granton Mains East area.
Around 7.35pm on Friday, 3 February, 2023, a 40-year-old man was found seriously injured and was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment.
Detective Sergeant Will Dickson, of Corstorphine CID, said: “Our enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of this incident. We believe someone assisted the injured man and we would urge that person to contact police.
“Anyone who may have witnessed what happened or has any information that may assist our investigation should contact police via 101, quoting incident number 3368 of 3 February. Alternatively, details can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Detectives in Edinburgh are appealing for information after a man was assaulted and robbed by three youths in Seafield.
Around 5.30pm on Tuesday (24 January 2023) the man sustained minor injuries after three males struck him on the head with a weapon and stole his rucksack and laptop as he made his way along the cycle path between Seafield Street and Pirniefield.
The suspects are described as:
The first was around 14-years-old, with a Scottish accent, slim build, wearing a snood, dressed in black and riding a black scooter.
The second, with the weapon, was about 16/17-years-old, stocky build, 5ft 9, Scottish accent, wearing a dark hoodie with the hood tied tight, red snood, black jogging bottoms and black trainers.
The third was around 14/15-years-old, wearing dark clothing and silver trainers. Both were on electric bikes.
Detective Sergeant Keith Taylor, Violence Reduction Unit, said: “Extensive enquiries are ongoing to trace the people responsible, and we encourage anyone with information about this attack to contact police.
“Think back, did you see these three youths in the area around this time?
“We are also appealing for anyone who may have relevant dash-cam footage from the Seafield Road area around 5.30pm on Tuesday to get in touch.
“Please contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting reference number 3094 of Tuesday, 24 January, 2023.”
In joint operations, Tracker Network (UK) and the UK police force uncovered 32 illegal chop shops during 2022 – over a 300% increase on the number of chop shop closures recorded by Tracker since 2021.
Alongside vehicles recovered that were fitted with Tracker units, it has helped return 100’s of other non-Tracker fitted vehicles to their rightful owners as well as seize valuable vehicle parts worth millions of pounds.
With the popularity of chop shops amongst organised crime gangs significantly on the rise, the stolen vehicle recovery (SVR) expert, Tracker, is warning vehicle owners to be extra vigilant.
Clive Wain, Head of Police Liaison at Tracker said, “We have seen a record number of chop shops being discovered and closed down in the UK last year.
“Essex has always been and continues to be the UK’s chop shop prime hot spot. Only recently, Essex police and Tracker found a number of stolen vehicles at a Tilbury chop shop site, which had been stolen over the weekend from the Met Police area. Other key regions for chop shops being found include, London, Kent, Bedfordshire, Manchester and the West Midlands.
“The lack of parts for new car manufacturing in recent years has driven a surge of sales in the second-hand car market, which in turn, generated a higher demand and price for used car spare parts, especially in 2022.
“This resulted in creating a perfect opportunity for thieves. Inside the illegal shops, batteries, engines, and steering wheels are stripped from cars ready to be sold for cash or on the black market. Criminals are working 24/7 to steal cars for their parts to then sell-on to criminal networks, not only in the UK but also in Europe, Middle East and Africa.
“We work very closely with UK police forces recovering stolen cars in ‘chop shops’ nationwide. A large percentage of vehicles that are stolen to order, are taken to ‘chop shops’ where the criminals strip the parts and try to mask their identities, which can often happen within just a few hours of them being taken. Given the current cost of living crisis this industry is booming adding demand for high-value parts being removed for re-sale.”
Tracker is the only SVR provider offering vehicle tracking systems that are supported nationwide by UK police forces.
Tracker’s SVR solutions work like an electronic homing device. A covert transmitter is hidden in one of several dozen places around the vehicle. There is no visible aerial, so the thief won’t know it’s there. The combination of VHF with GPS/GSM technology unique to Tracker, confirms its SVR devices as a superior security defence against determined thieves.
Tracker’s top tips for vehicle security
Protect your key fob: Keyless car theft works through a relay-style electronic device tricking your key fob signal into thinking the key is near to the car and then the device can assume all key fob power. To prevent this, keep the key – and the spare too – away from where the vehicle is kept when not in use, and block the signal by keeping the key fob in a closed tin or faraday bag.
Switch off and lock up: Never leave your car running idle and unattended, even when defrosting windscreens and windows on a cold morning.
Make life difficult: Fit security posts or a substantial gate if parking on your drive, physical barriers will make thieves think twice.
Don’t advertise your stuff: Never leave your belongings on show, lock them in the boot or take them with you.
Keep paperwork indoors – Don’t store car documents or spare keys inside the car as it makes it easier for thieves to sell it on.
Plan for the worst: Take car security measures to protect your car from being stolen in the first place, such as installing security lighting where you park your car and using a steering wheel lock. If criminals find a way to steal your car, having a vehicle tracker fitted can help the authorities to recover your vehicle.
Detectives in Edinburgh have released images of a woman who may be able to assist an investigation into an assault which occurred on Lothian Road on Saturday 19 November 2022, around 3.30am.
The woman is described as white, 5’4″ – 5’6″, of medium build, in her mid to late 20’s, with long shoulder length blonde hair.
She was wearing a beige/cream shirt-dress and white boots with a black handbag.
Detective Constable Neill Watt said: “Our enquiries into the incident are ongoing and we would urge the woman or anyone who recognises her, or anyone with any other information to please get in touch.
“You can call 101, quoting reference 0570 of 19 November, 2022, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
A 16-year-old male has been arrested and charged with culpable and reckless conduct. It follows a report of objects thrown during the recent Edinburgh football derby at Tynecastle Park on Monday, 2 January, 2023.
The male has been released on an undertaking and is expected to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court at a later date.
Chief Inspector David Happs said: “This type of behaviour is unacceptable and I hope this latest arrest sends a clear message that any such conduct will not be tolerated.
“We have the full support of both clubs as we continue with our investigation.”
Hibs and Hearts meet again in a Scottish Cup tie at Easter Road this weekend.
