Tag: Crime

Motorists warned of surge in car cloning crimes

Motorists are being warned of the rise in car cloning crimes, amid a worrying increase in vehicle identity theft.

Car insurance comparison experts from Quotezone.co.uk have urged drivers to stay alert, avoid posting images of their car online and park in garages when possible to minimise the risk of car cloning.

This comes after an investigation revealed a 64% surge in car cloning in London alone.

The crime is a form of fraud and involves stealing or copying another person’s car registration plates, allowing criminals to run up fines for speeding, driving through low emission zones or to hide the identity of stolen or salvaged vehicles.

Number plates can be physically stolen or purchased through fraudulent suppliers.

Those who have fallen victim to car cloning will start to receive fines for crimes they have not committed, and proving innocence can be difficult, so it’s important to understand ways to prevent cloning.

The car insurance experts also say people can fall victim to car cloning through buying a used cloned vehicle, which can lead to significant legal and financial problems which could see motorists losing the car and the money they paid for it.

Motorists are not able to completely prevent car cloning, but there are some things which can help minimise the risk, including parking in a garage whenever possible, or using a car cover so your number plate is not easily visible.

The experts are advising motorists to be careful with what they post online, as images including number plates can make your vehicle more susceptible to criminals.

Those buying used cars must also be careful and make sure to check all car details beforehand. Make sure all VINs on the vehicle match each other and those in the logbook.

Anyone concerned they may be buying a cloned car should run the registration number, make and model of the car through the DVLAs vehicle enquiry service.

Greg Wilson, CEO and car insurance expert at Quotezone said: “The sharp rise in car cloning across London is very worrying and highlights a need for more awareness around the crime, as all drivers are susceptible to this growing type of fraud.

“Car cloning is not just a minor inconvenience – it can have serious legal and financial consequences for victims, who often find themselves receiving fines or penalty points for offences they had no part in.

“In some cases, people have unknowingly bought cloned vehicles and lost both the car and the money they paid for it.  An increase in penalty points can also increase insurance premiums from 5-25%, depending on the number of points accrued. 

“Unfortunately, there is no way to completely prevent car cloning, but there are ways motorists can minimise the risk. It’s also not sensible to share pictures of your vehicle online where the number plate is clearly visible – social media can be a goldmine for those looking to illegally copy registration details.

“While insurance companies can’t prevent car cloning, some may offer advice and assistance with legal expenses – which may help if you’ve unknowingly purchased a cloned vehicle, just be sure to check the policy details to see what’s included.

“If you suspect your vehicle has been cloned it’s important to report it to the police, DVLA and your insurer immediately and consider getting a new registration number.”

Man remanded following offences in Holyrood Park

POLICE APPEAL FOR INFORMATION

LAST Friday 18th April 2025, officers from Police Scotland charged an individual with a number of offences, including sexual exposure.

He appeared before Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Saturday 19th April 2025 and was remanded in custody.

These offences occurred around the area of Holyrood Park, Edinburgh between the 11th and 17th April.

If you were in the area during this period and have any information you think may be relevant to the enquiry, please contact Police Scotland quoting incident number PS-20250411-1138.

#KeepingPeopleSafe

Two arrests following drugs recovery in Wester Hailes

On Thursday 10th of April 2025, officers in South West recovered an estimated street value of £50,000 class A drugs from an address in Dumbeg Park.

This was in addition to an estimated street value of £3200 class A and class B drugs seized from an address in Stenhouse Drive earlier in the week.

Two males aged 29 and 31 have been arrested in connection with the enquiry which remains ongoing.

Please continue to report drug dealing in the area.

#SWCPT

#CommunityPolicing

Princes Street serious assault: Police release images

Police Scotland have released images of two males they believe may hold information which might assist in relation a serious assault in Edinburgh which occurred around 8.30pm on Saturday 7 December 2024 on Princes Street.

One of the males is described as white, aged approximately 18 years old, slim build, short light, brown hair. He was wearing a grey coloured Nike hooded jumper, a dark coloured cross body bag and dark coloured trousers.

The other male is described as white, aged approximately 20 years old, medium build, short dark hair and dark stubble. He was wearing a black Canada Goose gilet top with a dark top underneath and dark trousers.

Anyone who has any information about the incident or who recognises the males pictured is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 3251 of 07 December 2024. Alternatively, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where you can give your information anonymously.

Drugs and firearms offences: Three arrested in Pilton

Three people have been arrested and charged in connection with drugs and firearms offences in Edinburgh.

Yesterday, Thursday 17 April, 2025, officers executed a warrant at a property on Crewe Road Gardens.

Two men, aged 61 and 41, and a 17-year-old female, were arrested and charged. They are due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Saturday, 19 April.

A number of weapons, including a firearm, and mobile phones were seized.

Detective Chief Superintendent David Ferry, Specialist Crime Division, said: “I want to reassure the community that extensive enquiries are ongoing into this as part of our investigation into recent incidents in the East and West of the country.

“There will be a continued police presence in the area.

“If you have any information that can assist our investigation, please get in touch.”

Man convicted of 2023 murder of teenager in Edinburgh

A 21-year-old man has been convicted of the murder of Lewis McCartney in Edinburgh. 

The 18-year-old was found with serious injuries on Viewcraig Street around 3.45am on Sunday, 12 February, 2023. Lewis was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh where he died a short time later. 

Bailey Dowling was found guilty of murder at the High Court in Edinburgh today (Thursday, 17 April, 2025). He will be sentenced at a later date. 

Police report positive results following day of action

ILLEGAL USE OF OFF-ROAD BIKES TARGETED

On Tuesday (15 April), police officers carried out a day of action targeting the illegal use of off-road and electric bikes in Edinburgh.

Uniformed and officers in plain clothes, road policing officers and specialist support officers, carried out patrols in the Sighthill and Niddrie Mains areas.  

One male rider aged 14 was charged in connection with road traffic offences and his off-road motorbike seized in Calder Drive. A suspected stolen motorbike was also recovered in the same street.

An electric bike was seized in Niddrie Mains Road with further enquiries to be carried out.

Three youths aged 15 were traced in relation to a fire-raising and vandalism in a playing field at a high school. Enquiries are ongoing into this incident.

As a result of enquiries carried out during the day of action, a car stolen from Kirkcaldy in September, 2024, was recovered in the Park Terrace area of Musselburgh.

Detective Sergeant Will Dickson, of the Community Investigation Unit, said: “We regularly receive complaints from our local communities about anti-social behaviour and the illegal use of vehicles.

“We will continue to use all tools available to us to enforce road traffic laws, keep the public safe and deter those intent on causing damage or annoyance through the use of bikes. 

“I would ask anyone who uses an off-road motorbike to use it safely and within the law.”

Anyone with concerns or information regarding this type of anti-social behaviour should contact Police Scotland via 101 or make a call anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Building contractor sentenced for £50,000 Covid loan fraud

Florin-Petrica Bodale, who was a sole trader operating as a building contractor, exaggerated his turnover to obtain the maximum Bounce Back Loan

  • Florin-Petrica Bodale was a building contractor and sole trader, operating in Harrow.  
  • He claimed his business had a turnover of more than £200,000 to claim the maximum Covid Bounce Back loan.  
  • He was sentenced to 13-months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, following a hearing at Snaresbrook Crown Court.  

A building contractor who fraudulently claimed a £50,000 Covid Bounce Back loan has received a 13-month suspended sentence.  

Florin-Petrica Bodale operated as a building contractor offering plumbing, heating and air-conditioning installation and was based in Harrow, London.  

In November 2020, the 34-year-old successfully applied to a bank for a Covid Bounce Back loan of £50,000.  

But an Insolvency Service investigation found that he had falsely claimed the company’s turnover was £240,000 to receive the maximum loan available.  

In reality, the turnover of the company was around £22,000 – meaning he was only entitled to £5,500. 

On 10 April 2025, at Snaresbrook Crown Court, Bodale was sentenced to 13-months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, for one count of fraud by false representation.   

He was also ordered to complete 250 hours of unpaid work.  

Insolvency Service Chief Investigator David Snasdell said: “Florin-Petrica Bodale falsely claimed a much higher turnover for his business and the reality of this is a notable sentence on top of his earlier disqualification as a director.  

“These loans were intended to help keep small businesses afloat, not to take money from the public purse that businesses were not entitled to. 

“We will continue in our efforts to bring those who abuse this scheme to justice.”

In 2022, before the criminal investigation, Bodale signed a ten-year bankruptcy restriction undertaking which also included a ten-year director disqualification following a civil investigation by the Insolvency Service. 

The court noted that he had repaid some money as part of the bankruptcy process. 

Measures were introduced during 2020 to support businesses affected by COVID-19 such as loans, grants and tax allowances. The Bounce Back loan scheme helped small and medium-sized businesses to borrow between £2,000 and £50,000, at a low interest rate, guaranteed by the Government. 

The Bounce Back loans were made on the condition that they were not to be used for personal purposes, but could be used, for example, to purchase a company asset such as a vehicle, if it would provide an economic benefit to the business.  

Foodbank reports devastating break-in

We are saddened to report that, overnight between April 10th and April 11th 2025, Glasgow South West Foodbank’s Cardonald Foodbank Centre was broken into, burgled and vandalised. 

The premises that we operate our Cardonald Foodbank Centre from, Hillington Park Parish Church, was broken into. Our storage area was burgled and vandalised, leading to the loss of thousands of pounds worth of stock and materials. This is the busiest of the five Foodbank Centres we operate.

Glasgow South West Foodbank is a small, independent, local charity. We already have an Urgent Appeal running to try and raise desperately needed funds to allow us to continue operating in the current challenging climate.

We have seen an increase in people needing our support, while food costs have increased and donations have fallen, so this incident has happened at a particularly unfortunate time for us.

Development Manager, Claire McCunnie, says: “Thankfully, no one was here when the break in occurred, and no one was hurt. But clearing up all the mess left behind was very upsetting as, of course, was the loss of stock. It’s honestly devastating.

“We are a small team who work extremely hard helping people in our community who are unable to afford the essentials we all need to get by, like food, bills and toiletries. To experience a break-in like this is heartbreaking, not just for our team, but for the people we support. 

“We would be extremely grateful for any donations the community can give during this difficult time. You can donate money online to Glasgow South West food bank or food at our warehouse or drop off points in local supermarkets.”

Our team was able to open the food bank as planned on Friday despite this distressing situation, and we are determined to keep the food bank at Cardonald open for the foreseeable future.

Since opening in December 2013, we have provided over three quarters of a million meals to Glaswegians who have been unable to put food on the table. Alongside emergency food parcels, we offer a warm welcome, listening ear, and advice and support through our partner agencies.

The incident has been reported to Police Scotland and anyone with any further information can contact them to assist with their inquiries.

Easter theft alert for churches

Ecclesiastical Insurance is encouraging churches to take steps to prevent being a victim of theft as they welcome visitors over the Easter period.

With Easter considered the most important date in the Christian calendar, churches up and down the country will be hosting services and events., bringing together congregations and the wider community.

However, with the extra footfall, there is concern about opportunistic thieves potentially stealing cash and priceless items in the process.

Churches have long been targeted by thieves, often for lead and copper from church roofs, and earlier this year Ecclesiastical revealed more than £500,000 worth of silver was stolen from church premises in 2024.

In February St Andrews Church in Little Steeping, Lincolnshire had paintings removed by thieves, while police are looking for a man caught on CCTV stealing from St Gregory’s Church in Northampton in late March.

As a leading insurer of churches, specialist insurer Ecclesiastical is urging churches to take steps to protect themselves to avoid being a victim during this important time of year.

Helen Richards, church operations director at Ecclesiastical Insurance, said: “Theft from church buildings can have a heartbreaking impact, both on the volunteers and congregation who worship at the church – even more so during such an important time for Christians and the church.

“Sadly we’re seeing more incidents where churches are being targeted, with items such as silver, cash, statues, artwork, furniture and even paving stones being stolen. Thankfully there are steps churches can take to help protect themselves, including storing valuables in a high-quality modern safe in a secure area of the church when they’re not in use, or storing items off-site where suitable alternative security arrangements can be made and with the approval of church insurers.

“We want churches to be open to welcome their communities, congregations and potential visitors – especially during Easter – but we must all be aware of the risks. It is critically important that churches follow our risk management advice to protect themselves. Our team of experts is on hand to support customers and can be contacted on 0345 777 3322.”

Ecclesiastical’s risk management team has developed guidance as part of its call to review existing security arrangements and help churches protect themselves from potential break ins. The advice includes:

  • Consider installing electronic security protections in the church, such as intruder alarms or remote video surveillance systems, linked to a monitoring centre
  • Make sure any safes are high-quality and modern with a Euro rating between 0 and 7 and that they are permanently fixed to a wall or floor to make them more difficult to remove
  • Ensure items are recorded in the church inventory and security marked using a forensic marking solution, such as SmartWater, which will assist recovery if stolen
  • Keep portable valuable items in a secure area, the safe where practical, or a locked vestry or similar area when not in use
  • Where this is not possible consider keeping items at the home of a church member (which would be covered by the church’s insurance policy with Ecclesiastical)
  • Encourage the local community to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity as thieves may complete reconnaissance prior to a theft

For any church customers concerned about potential theft, Ecclesiastical’s risk advice line is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm on 0345 600 7531 or they can e-mail risk.advice@ecclesiastical.com.