Officers from Police Scotland’s serious and organised crime unit have recovered a firearm in Edinburgh.
On Thursday, 12 March 2026, specialist officers searched a wooded area near to Niddrie Mains Road in Edinburgh and discovered a firearm and ammunition
It’s currently unclear if the weapon has been used in the commission of a crime however it will now undergo stringent forensic analysis to establish any wider connections
The recovery is part of ongoing investigations into serious and organised crime across the central belt of Scotland.
Detective Chief Inspector George Calder said: “This recovery will be a significant blow to organised crime groups, I have no doubt this firearm would have been used in violence, which would have resulted in serious injury, or worse.
“I hope this latest find helps to reassure the community of our continued resolve to target those involved in organised crime and demonstrates our commitment to dismantling these groups.
“The public may not always see what we are doing but rest assured a significant level of work is ongoing to disrupt these criminal networks. We are never complacent when it comes to serious organised crime.
“We continue to work closely with our colleagues in partner agencies and the public, sharing information, resources and intelligence in stamping out this illegal activity.
“This is in line with our commitment to achieving the aim and vision of Scotland’s Serious Organised Crime Strategy Taskforce.”
A 42-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with thefts and robberies in Edinburgh.
The incidents happened between Sunday, 2 March, and Tuesday, 10 March, 2026, in the Niddrie, Leith and Portobello areas of the city.
A report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal, and he is expected to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today – Friday, 13 March, 2026.
Detective Constable Fiona Murray said: “We are aware of the concern these incidents caused to local communities and I would like to thank members of the public for their assistance.”
Former Deputy Chief Constable of Police Scotland Fiona Taylor has been appointed to lead an independent Commission which will consider how to safely and effectively criminalise the purchase of sex in Scotland.
The Commission, whose work will be informed by the views and experiences of those who have been involved in prostitution, will provide recommendations to Ministers including on:
the framing of a new criminal offence for purchasing sex that can be effectively enforced and prosecuted
how to manage any risk to the safety of those involved in prostitution after any new offence is introduced
how to best provide practical, sustainable support for those who wish to exit prostitution
further work to challenge and deter men’s demand for prostitution.
Ministers committed to establishing a Commission following a recommendation by the Scottish Parliament’s Criminal Justice Committee in their Stage 1 Report on the Prostitution (Offences and Support) (Scotland) Bill.
Ministers will work with Ms Taylor to finalise the Commission’s terms of reference and a panel of experts will be appointed to support her in due course. The Commission will report to Ministers within a year of its first meeting.
Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: “I am clear that prostitution is violence against women and girls and the purchase of sex should be criminalised.
“That is why we are following the Criminal Justice Committee’s recommendation to establish a Commission to consider how this can be done in an effective, enforceable way while addressing concerns raised that criminalisation could place women at higher risk of violence.
“Women also need to be able to access practical, sustainable support to help them exit prostitution and this will be another strand of the Commission’s work, along with what more can be done to challenge and deter men’s demand for buying sex.
“I am very pleased that Fiona Taylor has been appointed as Chair. Fiona brings significant experience to the issues and challenges involved in this important area of work, having had a distinguished career including serving as Deputy Chief Constable and Interim Chief Constable of Police Scotland. Fiona, like the Scottish Government, also recognises the value and importance of lived experience, which will be at the heart of this work.”
Fiona Taylor said: “I am grateful to have been offered the opportunity to chair the independent Commission tasked with progressing this important matter.
“I look forward to working with other members of the Commission, once appointed, and reporting back to Ministers in due course.’
Responding to the announcement, Ash Regan MSP said: “If the government wanted to criminalise the purchase of sex they should’ve voted FOR my #Unbuyable bill last month.
“A commission isn’t action – it’s inaction. Yet again survivors are being let down.”
Members of three Scottish Parliament committees have urged that a joint approach to the scrutiny of the Scottish Government’s work to reduce drug deaths and tackle drug harm must continue following May’s election.
In the report, one MSP explains that the approach emphasised the importance of the shift from seeing drug problems in Scotland as a crime and justice issue to seeing them as a health and social issue.
The committees worked together during this parliamentary session to look at the impact of the measures recommended by the Scottish Drugs Deaths Taskforce.
As part of their work, the committees commissioned, and worked with, a people’s panel, which called for “brave and bold action” to reduce the harms created by drug use in Scotland.
The Members’ report praises the benefits that this approach had on communication between committees, collaboration on tackling this important issue, and the breadth of scrutiny.
"There's still much work to be done to tackle this issue of urgent national importance."
— Social Justice and Social Security Committee (@SP_SJSS) March 6, 2026
Audrey Nicoll MSP, Convener of the Criminal Justice Committee said: “Taking a cross-committee approach to the issue of how to tackle drug deaths and drug related harms has brought everyone’s expertise to the table.
“It has been encouraging to see so many members working together to tackle this issue of urgent national importance.
“However, this issue is not resolved. As our legacy report makes clear, our committees’ work must continue next session.”
Clare Haughey MSP, Convener of the Health, Sport and Social Care Committee, said: “Thank you to everyone who helped inform our scrutiny of these vital issues, including the members of the people’s panel, who collaborated so well to help recommend what further steps can be taken to prevent drug deaths and harms.
“Cross-party and cross-remit working in the next session will be essential if we are to effectively tackle these issues, and ultimately end the pain caused by drug harms and drug deaths in Scotland.
Collette Stevenson MSP, Convener of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee, said: “I am pleased with the impact that our committees’ work has had this session, and it was good to see the recommendations of the people’s panel that we commissioned be agreed to and acted upon by the Scottish Government.
“Drug deaths are not abstract statistics. My heart goes out to every single family that is affected. MSPs must continue to work together next session and do everything possible to tackle this issue.”
A 21-year-old man has been convicted following an attempted murder in Edinburgh.Joshua Stewart pleaded guilty at the High Court in Glasgow on Thursday (5 March, 2026.)
Officers were made aware of the attempted murder of a 54-year-old man on Pitcairn Grove in Edinburgh around 9.20pm on Thursday, 22 May, 2025.
Stewart was arrested and charged in connection with the incident on Monday, 16 June, 2025.
Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ferry, Specialist Crime Division, said: “This was a violent incident and the conviction is testament to the hard work and dedication by detectives, specialist officers and partners across the country.
“We will continue to bring those involved in serious criminality to justice.
“Police Scotland remains committed to the Serious and Organised Crime Taskforce and its national strategy.”
Operation Portaledge is the ongoing investigation into violent incidents in the East and West of the country.
Two men and a woman have been arrested and charged after drugs with an estimated value of around £364,000 were recovered from a property in Gilmerton.
A warrant was executed in the Combe Cruik area on Tuesday, 3 March.
During the search PD Freddie (pictured), an eight-year-old Springer Spaniel specialist drugs search dog, indicated to officers that drugs were concealed in a room.
Officers recovered 3.64kg of diamorphine with an estimated street value of around £364,000 and a five figure sum of cash.
The men, both aged 32, and a woman aged 36, were arrested and charged in connection with drug offences. They were due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday (Wednesday, 4 March).
Detective Chief Inspector Mark Lumsden said: “This was a significant recovery which highlights our continued commitment to the Serious and Organised Crime Taskforce, and the country’s Serious and Organised Crime Strategy.
“Drugs cause misery in our community and the public has an important role to play in helping us to take action against those responsible for the manufacture and sale of illegal substances.
“Anyone with information or concerns about drugs should contact us on 101 or make a call to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
A 19-year-old man who was involved in significant disorder in south Edinburgh on Bonfire Night two years ago has been sentenced to 16 months in detention.
Finlay Burns appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, 2 March, 2026, after pleading guilty last month to violent offences, including endangering the lives of police officers after he attacked them in the Gracemount area on 5 November, 2024.
Chief Superintendent David Robertson, Divisional Commander for Edinburgh, said: “The scenes we witnessed in Edinburgh that night were wholly unacceptable and Finlay Burns was responsible for some of the most violent and disorderly behaviour.
“His guilty plea earlier this year is a testament to the overwhelming evidence we gathered, and the case built against him by Edinburgh Division.
“His reckless behaviour terrorised the local community and put officers at significant risk of harm.
“The safety of our officers is a priority for Police Scotland, and this incident shows the unpredictable and dangerous nature of situations they can face, while keeping our communities safe.
“I hope the outcome in this case serves as a reminder to everyone that we will not tolerate such conduct and will use all resources at our disposal to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.”
Two males aged 17 and 18 have been arrested and charged in connection with assault to endangerment of life, breach of the peace and weapons offences following a disturbance in The Jewel area.
Around 4.20pm on Wednesday, 25 February, 2026, officers were called to a report of males with weapons causing a disturbance.
There were no reported injuries.
Chief Inspector Alison Macdonald said: “We are treating this as a targeted attack and extensive enquiries are continuing to trace others involved.
“This type of violence is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Officers are committed to tackling crime and antisocial behaviour in the local community. Targeted patrols will continue to deter and detect any criminality.
“Anyone with any concerns should speak to local officers or contact us through 101.”
Professor Alexis Jay has agreed to chair a statutory Public Inquiry to examine Scotland’s response to group-based child sexual abuse and exploitation (CSAE).
In a statement to Parliament, Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth confirmed the Scottish Government’s intention to establish a targeted independent Inquiry and establish a Scottish Truth Project.
The Inquiry will focus on the prevalence of group-based CSAE now and in the recent past, whether brought forward by survivors or relating to findings from the independent National Review being led by four Inspectorates.
The new Inquiry will be distinct from the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI), chaired by Lady Smith. The Scottish Government will ensure the new Inquiry does not duplicate the valuable work of the SCAI.
The scope of the Inquiry and its detailed terms of reference will be finalised and confirmed in due course, following input from Prof Jay.
The Education Secretary also announced that the Government intends to establish a Truth Project in Scotland, to enable victims and survivors of CSAE to share their experiences to help inform change and access support.
This afternoon, I made a statement to the Scottish Parliament outlining the @scotgov’s position on protecting children from harm.
I confirmed my intention to establish a statutory public inquiry to consider Scotland’s response to group-based child sexual abuse and exploitation. pic.twitter.com/JkvPcOY2hn
Ms Gilruth said: “Survivors of abuse want to see accountability and improvement delivered as quickly as possible, and that sense of urgency is shared by the Scottish Government.
“We are determined to act decisively to protect children from the horrendous harm of child sexual abuse and exploitation.
“I consider the establishment of a Public Inquiry to be essential, and from discussions I know Professor Jay wants to ensure that the Inquiry is carried out at pace. Announcing an Independent Public Inquiry today will not cure all which has come before, but it is a statement of intent from this Government that we will leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of justice for survivors of child sexual abuse.
“The work of the National Review and Police Scotland’s ongoing review of cases of group-based abuse will ensure that any improvements that must be made to practice or action to bring perpetrators to justice is taken as quickly as possible.
“The Truth Project, to be led by John O’Brien, will ensure that the voice of survivors is central to our collective efforts so that every action is informed by their experience and brings about the changes they have told me must be made.”
Professor Alexis Jay said: “The sexual and criminal exploitation of children entails abuse of the most horrific kind, usually at the hands of many perpetrators.The Public Inquiry will get to the truth of exploitation in Scotland in the past and the present, in order to prevent it in the future.
“It will examine the extent to which public authorities and other organisations effectively identify the risk of child exploitation and take action to protect children. I will engage with victims and survivors early, as the terms of reference are formed.”
Commenting on the Scottish Government announcement today of a public inquiry into grooming gangs in Scotland, Mary Glasgow, Chief Executive of Children First said: “Children First have long supported victims and survivors of child sexual abuse to fight for better systems of prevention, detection and protection. Scotland has a duty to confront the harm children have suffered and to put a stop to more children being abused.
“We now need to see full details of this inquiry so we can understand its scope and how it will ensure children’s voices and rights are placed at its centre.
“What cannot wait is urgent investment in specialist support like that provided by Bairns Hoose. This must be made available to every child who needs it so they can safely disclose harm and receive all the help they need to heal and reclaim their childhood.”
Whilst many businesses invest in state-of-the-art computers and up-to-the-minute software to keep them safe online, the digital experts at West Lothian’s Workflo Solutions are warning the most exploited vulnerability for many businesses is actually human error. And so to mark CyberScotland Week, which runs from Monday 23rd until Saturday 28th February, they are urging everyone to tighten up their protection.
Cyber-attacks that target small to medium-sized businesses have increased sharply in recent years, propelled by advances in AI technology.
From phishing scams and ransomware to credential theft and web-based intrusions, hackers are harnessing the power of AI to increase the speed, scale and sophistication of these devastating online attacks, stealing sensitive data for financial gain with greater ease than ever before.
And according to Workflo Solutions, many employees are simply not keeping pace with these fast-moving developments. As a result, they are putting businesses at significant risk.
It is estimated that more than 95% of data breaches in the UK are caused by human error. Significant incidents – categorised as those costing at least £500 – average nearly £195,000 per business, amounting to a staggering £14.7billion worth of damages per year to the UK economy.
The most common human errors include falling for phishing scams, using weak or compromised credentials, misconfiguring security settings, and falling victim to social engineering.
Commenting ahead of CyberScotland Week, Workflo Solutions’ managing director Michael Field urges businesses to stay vigilant; “CyberScotland Week is an opportune time to remind businesses of the need to create a strong security posture through their staff:
Create a culture where cyber security feels simple, relevant and part of everyday work.
Keep training short, frequent and practical by using real examples of phishing, social engineering and reconnaissance that staff might encounter.
Reinforce good habits through reminders, clear policies and easy routes to report suspicious activity.
Lead by example and reward secure behaviour so employees feel responsible and motivated to protect the organisation.
“As AI becomes more integrated into everyday systems and business processes, the overall attack surface continues to grow, creating new entry points for exploitation within interconnected digital environments.
“It is therefore vital that we come together during CyberScotland Week to raise awareness, boost resilience and reduce the risk of human error.”
To give businesses an extra helping hand during CyberScotland Week, Workflo Solutions is offering 200 businesses a free dark web domain audit.
By heading to www.workflo-solutions.co.uk and signing up for this free service, businesses will be notified if any of their company email addresses or passwords have been breached, enabling them to take proactive steps to reverse these vulnerabilities and avert a potential damaging attack.
