Tag: Crime

Chief Constable pledges to tackle assaults on police

Assault Pledge banner

Chief Constable Iain Livingstone QPM has outlined his commitment to reduce the impact of violence and improve the safety of officers and staff in a new pledge announced today.

The Chief has made it clear that violence against officers and staff is utterly unacceptable and should never be seen as simply part of the job. He has promised to provide appropriate support to colleagues where it does occur.

Lord Advocate James Wolffe QC and Cabinet Secretary for Justice Humza Yousaf have both backed the pledge, which also calls on wider society and the public to support policing.

Chief Constable Livingstone said: “As has been evident in recent weeks and months, at times of crisis, chaos and criticality, policing in Scotland brings order, discipline and compassion.

“It is, then, disgraceful and deplorable when officers and staff are subjected to violence during the course of their duties.

“I have enormous concern about assaults and attacks on police officers and staff, which are disgracefully on the increase. I utterly reject any suggestion or view that they come with the job.

“This pledge outlines my commitment to reducing the impact violence has on our officers and staff and to introducing measures to improve their safety.

“I am clear that it is the strong bond of trust and confidence forged between policing and our fellow citizens from which we obtain our authority. Your police service will always value that relationship.

“I’m grateful for the overwhelming support for policing from members of the public in recent weeks and months and I request that the same support and co-operation continues as we work together to build and maintain our collective safety and security.”

The Lord Advocate has made clear that offending against police officers will be prosecuted rigorously. James Wolffe QC said: “Assaults on police officers and staff are reprehensible and Scotland’s prosecution service will take action to protect their safety.

“COPFS works closely with Police Scotland to ensure the effective investigation and prosecution of crime, properly addressing any criminal behaviour that threatens public safety and the safety of police officers.”

Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “I fully support the Chief Constable’s pledge and I am deeply concerned to hear that reports of violence on officers and staff are on the increase.

“It is simply not acceptable that they should be attacked or abused while going about their daily duty. The men and women of Police Scotland are the frontline in protecting communities and keeping Scotland safe.

“They are the very people who run to help others when it can be dangerous and often witness distressing scenes.

“No-one should face abuse or violence while at work and the courts have extensive powers to deal robustly with those who carry out such appalling behaviour on our officers and staff.”

The pledge and guidance were developed by members of the Your Safety Matters group, the membership of which includes staff associations, unions and experts from across Police Scotland.

Deputy Chief Constable Fiona Taylor, who chairs the Your Safety Matters group, said: “The trend of increasing reports of assaults on officers and staff over a number of years is a matter of significant concern.

“It causes physical and psychological harm to dedicated public servants and also costs the public purse through days lost to ill-health or personal injury claims.

“We will continue to work closely with the Scottish Police Federation, staff unions, and our partners to support our people as they, in turn, support their fellow citizens.”

Community Payback Orders – Tell us your views

Edinburgh residents are being asked to share their views on a scheme that requires people who have committed offences to carry out unpaid work in the community as part of their sentence.

Community Payback Orders can be imposed on people who have committed offences by the courts as an alternative to a short term prison sentence, and can last between six months and three years. They give those involved the chance to address their behaviour and also to repay communities by carrying out unpaid work.

The Council administers the scheme in the city and is seeking the views of the public on people who have committed offences working in communities and the effectiveness of community payback as a way to reduce re-offending.

Examples of unpaid work carried out by the scheme include:

  • repairing and reinstating headstones in local cemeteries
  • developing and maintaining children’s play areas
  • recycling projects including bicycles and outdoor furniture

As well as using the questionnaire to comment on the community payback scheme, participants can also recommend groups, residents, organisations or projects that may benefit from unpaid work through the online suggestion form.

Councillor Amy McNeese-Mechan, Vice Convener of Culture and Communities said: “We’re really keen to hear what people think about Community Payback Orders, and the work carried out by the people subject to them.

“One of the aims of the consultation is also to identify more opportunities in Edinburgh for unpaid community work to be carried out. This work could include repainting community centres, community clear ups or recycling projects including bicycles and outdoor furniture. They are an excellent way for organisations such as charities to get practical help, and they give people who commit offences the chance to repay communities for their offences.

“The information we collect will help us to improve how we work with communities and help to increase understanding of CPOs and their importance in helping people reintegrate into society and reduce the likelihood of them reoffending.”

The consultation will run until Monday 31 August.

Assault in Garibaldi’s: New CCTV

Police renewing their appeal for information in respect of an assault which occurred on Saturday, 4 January, 2020 at around 2.25am inside Garibaldis nightclub in Hanover Street.

Police have released new images of a male they would like to speak to as they believe he may have information that will assist their ongoing investigation.

The male in the image is described as white, in his early twenties, around 5ft 10ins tall, with mousey brown hair that is longer on the top and shorter at the sides. He is seen in the image to be wearing a light grey or blue top and a black coat.

Those with information can contact Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 0424 of 4 January, 2020. Alternatively, information can be reported anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Previous appeal: http://ow.ly/1RGG50AOzzK

Illegal Channel crossings: eleven arrests

Eleven people have been arrested in relation to illegally facilitating migrant crossings of the Channel

Eleven people have been arrested in relation to illegally facilitating migrant crossings of the Channel.

The joint operation took place in a number of locations last week (Tuesday 21 July) and was led by Immigration Enforcement Criminal and Financial Investigations. The operation, which was conducted in conjunction with the Metropolitan Police, the National Crime Agency (NCA), Border Force and French law enforcement counterparts, was into organised immigration crime.

During the searches £150,000 cash was discovered and 2 vehicles were seized from the premises.

Those arrested are suspected of being members of an organised crime group that are enabling the facilitation of illegal migrants using small boats between France and the UK.

They were allegedly engaged in the movement of funds to support the illegal crossings and promoting the illegal entry of migrants into the UK, these arrests will significantly disrupt this activity.

Ten individuals arrested on Tuesday 21 July were taken to Wembley Police Station and released under investigation pending further enquiries. Another individual was arrested on Thursday 23 July. 12 properties were raided, 11 of which were in London and one in Sheffield.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “I will not tolerate ruthless criminals looking to break to law by smuggling people into the UK illegally.

“I will put whatever resource is necessary to dismantle these gangs and stop these dangerous crossings, including going after the groups financing these criminal operations.

“This is a clear message to those behind these reckless crossings. We will find you and we will stop at nothing to put you behind bars and strip you of your ill-gotten gains”.

Minister for Immigration Compliance and the Courts Chris Philp, who attended the raid, said: “This action shows that we have the intelligence and capability to track down anyone involved in people trafficking. Through this operation we have hit them where it hurts – their pockets.

“We will stop at nothing to stop these dangerous and illegal Channel crossings and to make sure the criminals behind them are locked up and their assets are stripped.”

The arrests mark the culmination of months of intelligence sharing and collaborative working between UK and French law enforcement agencies into the organised criminal gangs facilitating immigration crime.

Matthew Long, NCA Deputy Director, said: “People smuggling gangs treat migrants as a commodity to be profited from, with no thought for their safety and security. This can have tragic consequences as we’ve sadly seen.

“Tackling this crime type and protecting life are priorities for us. We are working as one team with partners such as Immigration Enforcement, Border Force and policing. NCA officers in the UK deployed on this operation and our teams based in France also contributed. This is how we need to tackle this threat, using our international network, day in, day out.

“We have a shared determination to disrupt and dismantle organised immigration crime networks, and this operation is an example of that co-operation in action. Those who profit from misery should be ready to be brought to justice.”

Priti Patel met the new French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin on Sunday 12 July to discuss how the French and UK governments can do more to tackle illegally-facilitated Channel crossings by small boats.

Through a Declaration of Intent, it was agreed that a Franco-British Operational Research Unit to combat migrant smuggling will be established.

The new unit will collate, centralise and analyse operational intelligence to prevent crossings from taking place and to dismantle the gangs behind them.

Police seek witnsses to assault in The Meadows

Police in Edinburgh are appealing for information following an assault in the Meadows. The incident happened around 8.30pm last night (Friday 24 July) when an 18-year-old man was assaulted by four other men.

The man was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment of his injuries which are not thought to be serious. 

The four suspects are described as males aged between 15 to 17-years-old with brown and blonde short hair.  At the time of the incident, one was wearing black shorts and a black top, another with black trousers and one wearing a white hooded top.

Sergeant Grant Robertson, of Howdenhall Community Policing, said: “We believe this incident to be a targeted attack and would like to reassure the public that there is no threat to the wider community.

“This incident happened at a time when the park was busy with other people and I would ask that if anyone witnessed this to contact police, in particular if anyone is in possession of any mobile phone footage.

“Officers will be actively patrolling the area and engaging with the local residents and people that use the park, and as ever, we encourage anyone who witnesses anti-social behaviour to report it to us.

“Police can be contacted on 101 quoting incident number 3785 of Friday, 24 July, 2020.”

Police disappointment following summer drink & drug drive campaign

During the summer drink and drug drive campaign, which ran from 27 June to 10 July, police officers stopped 7457 drivers and 264 of these were detected for drink/drug offences.

Additionally 122 people failed the roadside drug test and enquiries into these incidents remain ongoing, pending forensic tests.

Deputy Head of Road Policing, Superintendent Simon Bradshaw said: “Over the course of our summer road safety campaign 1 in 28 drivers were detected for drink/drug offences and it is disappointing that we are still stopping people who drive whilst under the influence of drink or drugs.”

Out of the drivers detected over the drink-drive limit, 27 were caught ‘the morning after’.

Notable incidents include:

• A 52-year-old man charged in connection with alleged drink driving and speeding after being detected driving at over 90mph on the A96 at Carden, near Alves and found to be nearly five times over the limit on 9 July.

• A 27-year-old man charged in connection with alleged drink driving, disqualified driving and refusing to provide an evidential specimen of breath after being seen by CCTV driving his vehicle erratically near Cleland in Lanarkshire on 28 June.

Superintendent Bradshaw added: “Our campaign this year was intelligence led in order to target areas where we know people take unnecessary risks by drink or drug driving.

“It is disappointing to see that despite our advice and that of our Road Safety partners, some people are still willing to put themselves, and other innocent members of the public, at risk by drink or drug driving.

“Drink or drug driving is known to be a contributory factor in serious injury and fatal collisions. By driving under the influence of drink or drugs, your actions could be responsible for causing someone’s death or your own, leaving behind grieving family and friends.

“We continue to see a number of drivers reported to us by family members, friends or colleagues and I want to thank people who had the courage to report drink or drug drivers to us. This information helps our officers to act quickly to stop drivers under the influence before they seriously injure or kill someone and I would continue to encourage reporting of such unacceptable behaviour to us.”

Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “It is disappointing that there continues to be a persistent minority of drivers who ignore the law and put their lives and those of others at risk, by driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

“This is the first summer campaign with Scotland’s new drug driving offence operating and the irresponsible actions of these few drivers caught under the influence is discouraging as we try to make Scotland’s roads safer.

“My message is absolutely clear; to drink and drive is utterly unacceptable and will ruin lives. We fully support Police Scotland’s summer enforcement campaign, which reinforces the message that the best approach is none.”

Seven charged following drugs recovery

Police Scotland has charged seven people following the recovery of Class A drugs with a combined street value of £50,000 in Edinburgh.

Officers carried out search warrants at four addresses on Moredunvale Bank on Thursday as part of an intelligence-led operation. Heroin and cocaine were seized from the properties.

Five men, aged 23 to 56, and two women, aged 33 and 37, are due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, 13 July, in connection with this.

Detective Inspector Bob Campbell, of Gayfield Pro-active CID, said: “This enforcement action was carried out following an intelligence-led operation and tackling serious and organised crime remains a priority to us.

“We will proactively pursue anyone who is exploiting vulnerable people and importing drugs into our communities for their own illicit gain, but we can’t tackle this alone.

“The public continue to play a vital role in assisting investigations into drug crime and I would encourage anyone who believes an individual or property within their community may be being exploited for criminal purposes to contact Police Scotland.

“If you have any concerns about drugs, or have information about those involved in drugs, you can contact police on 101 or make an anonymous report to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Thefts of vehicles rise by more than 50% to hit highest level in four years

More than 150,000 motor vehicles were stolen in Great Britain in the year 2018-19, 10,000 more than the year before and a 56% (54,932) increase compared to four years earlier, according to data analysed by RAC Insurance.

All but three of the police forces that responded to a Freedom of Information request recorded an increase in the numbers of vehicles stolen in their force areas from 2014-15 and 2018-19, with some stark differences across the country.

The largest increases in terms of vehicle numbers were in the Kent Police (up 12,550 to 40,726 thefts in 2018-19, a 45% increase), Metropolitan Police (up 9,635 to 30,773 thefts, a 46% increase) and West Midlands (up 5,677 to 10,372 thefts, a 121% increase) force areas.

Six forces recorded a more than doubling in the number of vehicles stolen between 2014-15 and 2018-19, with the biggest jumps in Suffolk (up 172% from 347 to 945 thefts), Surrey (up 133% from 661 to 1,543 thefts) and the West Midlands.

Only Lincolnshire, the City of London and Police Scotland recorded a reduction in thefts over this period however, with reductions of 28, 29 and 473 thefts respectively.


Year-on-year comparisons (2017-18 to 2018-19)

Most police forces (32) also recorded a rise in vehicle thefts year-on-year, between 2017-18 and 2018-19. Kent again saw the largest rise as well as the largest number of overall vehicles stolen in 2018-19 (up 2,575 to 40,726 thefts, 7% more than in 2017-18), followed by Essex (up 1,056 to 5,409 thefts, 24% more than in 2017-18) and the West Midlands (up 836 to 10,372 thefts, 9% more than 2017-18).


When looking at the biggest percentage increases over this 12 month period, Suffolk witnessed the highest jump with 44% more thefts (945 in 2018-19 compared to 655 a year earlier), followed by Bedfordshire (37% increase, from 1,056 to 1,445 thefts) and North Wales (32% increase, from 464 to 612 thefts).

RAC Insurance spokesperson Simon Williams said: “These figures paint a rather disturbing picture – vehicle thefts are on the rise almost everywhere, and in some parts of the country numbers are rocketing.

“It’s also not the case that the rises in crime are confined to a few larger urban areas, with many police forces covering more rural areas also seeing big increases.

“While vehicle crime is at far lower levels today than it was in the early 1990s, thanks to improvements in vehicle security, and the number of vehicles licensed to be driven on the UK’s roads is higher than at any point in the past, it’s still concerning that so many more vehicles are being stolen than just a few years ago.

“One crumb of comfort from the data however is that the increases might be starting to plateau, and it will be interesting to discover just what effect the coronavirus lockdown has on vehicle thefts when the data becomes available.

“Some of the increases in recent years can be put down to a rise in thefts of vehicles that are easier to steal, such as motorbikes and mopeds that are less likely to have immobilisers.

“Government data also shows that thieves generally use keys to access vehicles in around half of crimes, which suggests perhaps some drivers could do more to keep their keys safe. And in an estimated fifth of cases (18% in 2018), thieves were able to access cars because one or more cars weren’t locked in the first place.

“Based on these figures, it’s vital drivers take steps to protect themselves and avoid being an easy target. Three of the biggest factors that determine whether a car is stolen or not come down to how it’s secured, where it’s kept and the time of day.

Criminals appear to prefer stealing vehicles at night, with those parked at owners’ homes, presumably where there is easier access to a key, also being favoured.

“While organised criminal gangs are responsible for a large proportion of crime, thieves will also be opportunistic in nature so the more a driver can do to make their car a less likely target the better.

“It’s also critical motorists buy quality motor insurance policies that will cover them in case the worst happens. A strong, comprehensive policy can go a long way towards giving peace of mind in the event a vehicle is stolen.”

Lessen the chances of your car being stolen

RAC Insurance offers drivers this advice:

  • Don’t make your car an easy target. Always lock your car securely when you leave it, even for a short time. Ensure all doors, windows and any roof opening (sunroof or hood) are locked, and keep your keys with you. Consider buying a steering wheel lock for extra (visible) security. This can make it easier for a would-be thief to pass over your vehicle. It’s also a good idea to keep the car’s logbook secure at home, rather than in the car
  • Find the right place to park. Most vehicle-related theft takes place at night. When away from home, park in locations that are well-lit and open to public view – car parks that have security patrols and are covered by CCTV can be safer, and it’s also a good idea to look for the ParkMark logo at car parks that have met that certain security standards
  • Double-check your car is locked when you leave it. Make sure you see and hear your car locking before you leave it – look for the tell-tale flashing indicators and click of the locks engaging 
  • Does your car use a keyless entry/start fob? Avoid being a ‘relay attack’ victim. Thieves can use a technique to copy the key signal to another device that’s placed close to a vehicle. This can fool the car into thinking the genuine key is present and can mean a thief can drive away in the car. If you have a keyless car fob, always keep it well away from doors and windows in your house. Keeping it in a metal (Faraday) box or signal blocking wallet can stop thieves copying the signal
  • Consider security when you next change your vehicle. If you are buying a car on the second-hand market make sure it has an immobiliser and, ideally, a Thatcham-certified alarm. You can also use Thatcham Research’s Consumer Security Ratings to help work out how secure certain models are
  • In winter: Icy morning? Don’t leave your car while it’s defrosting. The majority of vehicle thefts take place at vehicle owner’s home. Always stay in your vehicle while the car is warming up and demisting the windscreen – if you leave it, there’s a risk someone could get behind the wheel before you do!

Thieves steal tools worth over £30,000 from Edinburgh College construction centre

Police are appealing for information after thieves broke into Edinburgh College Forthside building on West Shore Road, sometime between Wednesday 1 July and Wednesday 8 July.

Hand and desktop power tools valued between £30,000 and £40,000 were stolen from the College’s Construction Centre for Excellence.

Detective Inspector Kevin Tait said : ‘The building is a training facility for students to train in the professions of bricklaying roofing and joinery.

“Enquiries are currently ongoing into the break-in and we would ask anyone with anyone information to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting 962 of Wednesday 8 July’.

King’s Stables Road incident: do you know these men?

Police have released CCTV images of two men they wish to trace in connection with an incident on King’s Stables Road at around 1.25am on Tuesday, 10 March.

It is believed the men pictured may be able to assist the investigation and the men themselves or anyone who recognises them is asked to come forward.

The first man is described as white, aged 20-30, wearing a green/grey hooded top with a blue body warmer, dark trousers and light coloured trainers.

The second man is described white, aged 20-30, wearing all dark clothing with a hood up and dark trainers with a white sole.

Detective Constable William Doughty, of Gayfield CID, said: “We are appealing for anyone who can help us identify these men to get in touch with us.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident number 0248 of 10 March or make an anonymous report through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”