Gorgie robbery: CCTV images released

Police Scotland have released images of two males who may be able to assist with their enquiries following a robbery which occurred on Thursday 31 October 2024.

The incident occurred at around 2.40am at the Gorgie Road and Wardlaw Street junction in Edinburgh.

Officers believe the males could assist them in their ongoing enquiries and are appealing for them or anyone who may recognise them or has information about this incident to get in touch.

The first male (pictured) is described as being white, aged between 19-20 years old and approximately 5’8” in height.

He has short, thick dark hair and facial hair. He was seen to be wearing a dark zip-up jumper with a Fred Perry logo on the left chest, socks but no shoes.

The second male (pictured) is described as being white, aged between 18-19 years old and between approximately 5’11” and 6ft in height.

He has short brown hair styled up at the front.

He was seen to be wearing grey jogging bottoms, yellow and purple Nike Dunk style trainers and a black hooded jumper.

A Police Scotland representative said: “We urge the males pictured or anyone who may recognise them to contact us. If you have any information about this incident, please get in touch as soon as possible”.

Anyone who can assist is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 1439 of 31 October 2024. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.

Police issue witness appeal following Gilmerton Road assault and robbery

POLICE are appealing for information after an assault and robbery on Gilmerton Road on Monday (18 November, 2024).

Around 10.30pm, police and ambulance were called to a report of a 24-year-old man and a 20-year-old man injured after a man entered their Mercedes B-class vehicle on Gilmerton Road and assaulted them.

The injured men got out of the vehicle leaving the suspect within. The vehicle was last seen driving south on Gilmerton Road.

They were taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and treated for their injuries. The 24-year-old man was released after treatment.

Detective Sergeant James Palmer said: “Enquiries are ongoing in and around the Gilmerton Road area to establish the full circumstances surrounding this incident and trace the stolen car.

“I would urge anyone who was in this area between 10pm and 10.30pm on Monday night who witnessed anything relevant to this enquiry or has dashcam footage that may assist to contact us.

“I would also ask anyone who has seen or has any information on the whereabouts of the Mercedes Benz with the registration number YK59 UTX to get in touch. The car may have damage to the front.”

Anyone with information should contact 101 quoting reference number 3801 of 18 November, 2024. Alternatively Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.

Knives recovered in separate Edinburgh incidents on Sunday

On Sunday 17th November 2024 police officers from Team 2 response Wester Hailes attended two separate incidents which resulted in the recovery of knives from people on public streets in Fountainbridge and Stenhouse.

An adult male and an adult female were arrested with one appearing from custody and one appearing at Edinburgh sheriff court on a later date.

No persons were injured, and no member of the public was at risk during these incidents.

#KeepingPeopleSafe

#TakingKnivesOffTheStreets

Home Secretary to announce major policing reforms

A new Home Office unit to monitor performance of police forces will be announced by the Home Secretary this week

A dedicated government unit to improve performance across policing and make our streets safer will be announced by the Home Secretary this week. 

In a speech at the annual conference hosted by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and Association for Police and Crime Commissioners on Tuesday, Yvette Cooper will outline the new unit as part of a roadmap for major reform that will create a new partnership between the Home Office and police.  

To ensure communities can have confidence in their local police force, the unit will harness national data to monitor performance and direct improvements, building on the existing work of the College of Policing, policing inspectorate (HMICFRS), NPCC and Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs).   

For the first time in over a decade, a dedicated Home Office unit will be introduced to directly monitor police performance, including in high-priority areas such as tackling violence against women and girls, knife crime and improving neighbourhood policing.  

Officer time spent on the frontline will be monitored as part of the intelligence drive, drawing on local police data. Police response times will also be standardised and measured, a key issue for the public that is currently not consistently monitored and managed. Through the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, the government is committed to ensuring officers are spending more time being visible and accessible in our communities, and minimising administrative tasks.

The Home Office will use police-recorded data on child sexual abuse to help forces understand and tackle the hidden harms in their areas. This will support forces in identifying how they can do more to build victim confidence, draw offending out of the shadows and bring perpetrators to justice.

There will also be a focus on police standards, with data on misconduct, vetting and disciplinary procedures collected, monitored and acted on to ensure forces are rooting out those who are not fit to serve and help restore the public’s trust in their local officers. 

With a more comprehensive picture of how policing is delivering for its communities, the Home Secretary will take a more hands-on approach to driving improvements, working with policing partners to ensure that the appropriate support, and where necessary, direct intervention is being identified and delivered.  

The new performance unit will complement the current system, with PCCs taking on a renewed focus on strengthening local policing and preventing crime in their areas.

In her speech, the Home Secretary is expected to say: “This is a critical juncture for the future of policing. And if as a country we are to remain equipped to fight the fast-changing challenges of today and tomorrow, then we know policing must evolve.

“We have a huge opportunity ahead of us to reset the relationship between government and the police, to regain the trust and support of the people we all serve and to reinvigorate the best of British policing.

“Strong and consistent performance is critical to commanding public confidence. I truly believe that working together we can mobilise behind this mission – and deliver a fairer, safer country for all.”

The Home Secretary is expected to set out her vision for policing, and how this focus on data and performance is just part of an ambitious programme to bring the founding principles of policing by consent and preventing crime to the 21st Century.  

The need for reform has the backing of police leaders, with the government committed to working with them to bring the change needed to reconnect policing with the communities they serve. 

It builds on a government manifesto commitment to give the policing inspectorate (HMICFRS) greater powers to intervene in failing forces and on the important work that they, the College of Policing and PCCs are doing to boost standards and drive improvement.

Four sought following bank incident

Police Scotland has released images of four people officers believe may be able to assist in connection with their investigation into threatening behaviour and damage to a bank.

The incident happened on Princes Street around 1.30am on Thursday, 12 September 2024.

Enquiries are ongoing to trace those responsible and officers believe the three men and one woman pictured may be able to help with their investigation.

The first man is described as white, around 6ft tall, of slim build with black hair worn in a top knot. He may have a moustache and/or goatee beard. He was wearing a headtorch, a two-tone blue waterproof jacket, a yellow t-shirt, grey trousers, navy trainers and carrying a plain black rucksack. He had a black mountain bike with white forks and a solid black chainring guard.

The second man is described as white, also around 6ft and of slim build. He was wearing a surgical face mask, black baseball cap, black hooded top, brown trousers and navy shoes. He had a dark coloured mountain bike with a distinctive green section at the bottom of the front forks.

The third man is described as white, of heavy build, around 6ft, with short dark hair and a short dark beard. He was wearing a black baseball cap with a large symbol on the front, red jacket with black panels on the inside arms and flanks, bottle green jogging bottoms and dark shoes. He had a black electric pedal bike.

The woman is described as white, around 5ft 5ins, of slight build with short dark hair. She was wearing a navy jumper and beige trousers. She had a distinctive white women’s bike with white front and rear mud guards.

Police Constable Callum Johnston said: “I would urge these people or anyone who knows who they are to get in contact with us.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0211 of Thursday 12 September 2024. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.”

Four more arrests following Bonfire Night disorder in Edinburgh

Four more people have been arrested following disorder in Edinburgh during Bonfire Night.

A full criminal investigation into the incidents that arose during the evening of 5 November began the following day and as a result of these inquiries three further individuals were charged in connection with the disturbances on Calder Road that saw fireworks and projectiles thrown at the public, police officers and various busses.

A 16-year-old male was charged on Tuesday, 12 November, while two 17-year-old males were charged on Wednesday, 13 November.

All three will appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Tuesday, 3 December.

A 15-year-old male was also arrested on Wednesday following incidents that took place on Captain’s Road, where projectiles were thrown at Public Order Officers. He will appear in court on an undertaking at a later date.

To date, 13 people have been charged, five homes searched, and two vehicles seized following the offences that took place between Halloween and Bonfire Night.

Further arrests are expected as inquiries continue.

Chief Superintendent David Robertson, Divisional Commander for Edinburgh, said: “We want the arrests made so far to provide reassurance to our communities that we are committed to bringing all those responsible for the crimes that took place to justice.

“Equally, they should serve as a very real reminder to everyone who was involved that we are actively pursuing them, and they can expect a visit from us imminently.

“We still have lots of excellent CCTV footage and other evidence gathered on Halloween and Bonfire Night to go through and we are confident this will help us identify and charge more offenders in due course.

“Members of the public who have video or photographic evidence can still submit it to https://mipp.police.uk/operation/SCOT24S16-PO1.”

13 years for ‘prolific’ sex offender

A 37-year-old man will spend the next 13 years in prison after he was sentenced for serious sexual offences, violence and abusive behaviour.

Anthony Gibson came to the attention of police in November 2020 when it was discovered he had abused two women.

Following initial inquiries, it was apparent Gibson had subjected other women to his abusive behaviour. His offences occurred in Edinburgh, Midlothian, Lanarkshire and Fife.

As a result of the ongoing enquiries, Gibson was arrested and charged in connection with serious sexual assaults, violence and abusive and controlling behaviour.

He was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow on Monday, 11 November, 2024.

Detective Inspector Frank Keegan : “Gibson is a prolific offender. I can only hope that the women he harmed take some solace in knowing he can no longer inflict his violent and abusive behaviour on them or any other women.

“It is incredibly difficult for anyone to stand up and confront an abuser and I would like to thank the women for their strength and resilience in speaking with us. I would encourage anyone who has been or is being subjected to violence and abuse to report it to us.”

Assault in George Street: Do you know this man?

Police Scotland has released images of a man officers believe may be able to assist with their investigation into an assault in Edinburgh city centre.

The incident took place on George Street around 1.20am on Sunday, 29 September, 2024.

The man is described as of average build, around 5ft 10ins, in his mid-20’s with medium length dark hair and a moustache. He was wearing a black hooded jacket, blue jeans and dark trainers with a brown over-the-shoulder bag.

Detective Sergeant Rob Finch, of Gayfield CID, said: “I would urge the man pictured, or anyone who has information relating to him, to contact the police.

“If you have any information that can assist with our investigation then please call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0294 of 29 September 2024. Alternatively, make a call anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Grassmarket assault: Do you know this man?

POLICE Scotland have released an image of a man they wish to speak to who may be able to assist their enquiries into an assault which took place on Thursday 26 September 2024 at the Grassmarket.

The man is described as being white, slim build, approximately 6ft in height, with short red hair. He was wearing a grey tracksuit and a black jacket.

Detective Constable Mark Richmond said “ I would urge the man pictured or anyone who may recognise him or has information about this incident to contact us as soon as possible.”

Anyone who can assist is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 1768 of 27 September 2024. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.

CCTV appeal following wilful fire at The Wisp

Detectives in Edinburgh have released CCTV images of a man they believe may be able to assist with enquiries into a wilful fire which occurred on Hammond Place, The Wisp, around 4.50am on Sunday, 6 October, 2024

Officers believe that the man pictured may hold information that will assist their ongoing investigation.

He is described as: white, between 18-30 years of age, around 5ft 11ins in height and of medium build. He was wearing dark-coloured clothing and riding a mountain bike.

Detective Constable Paul Henderson said: “I would urge the man pictured, or anyone who recognises him, to contact the police.

“If you have any information that can assist with our investigation then please call Police Scotland on 101, quoting reference number 0861 of 6 October.

“Alternatively, make a call anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”