Dalmeny Street assault and robbery: Police release CCTV image

Police have released an image of a man they wish to speak with in connection to an ongoing investigation into an assault and robbery.

The incident took place around 3:00am on Tuesday 8 October 2019, on Dalmeny Street just off Leith Walk. A 22 year old woman was assaulted and her handbag was stolen.

Officers believe the man pictured may have information to assist their investigation and anyone who recognises him is urged to come forward.

The male in the image is seen to have dark hair, is of slim build, and believed to be around 5’10. He is pictured wearing black trousers, a black jacket or shirt and black shoes.

Police Constable Ewan Bates, of the Violence Reduction Unit at Gayfield Police Station, said: “We are keen to trace the man in the CCTV footage as he may be able to assist with our investigation.

If you can identify him, or have any information that can help with our enquiries then please get in touch. Likewise, if the man himself sees this appeal then please contact us.”

Anyone with information should call 101, quoting incident 0314 of Tuesday, 8 October, 2019. Or contact the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Man charged following bottle throwing incident

Police have confirmed that a 32-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with culpable and reckless conduct at Easter Road stadium.

The incident took place on Friday 20 December, 2019, when a glass bottle was thrown from the stands on to the pitch, narrowly missing players from both Hibs and Rangers football clubs.

Inspector Colin Fordyce, of Leith Community Policing, said: “Thankfully no one was injured as a result of this incident. Mindless behaviour like this will not be tolerated in any football stadiums across the country.

“The safety of football supporters, players and management is the top priority of football clubs and Police Scotland, with every step taken to identify those responsible for inappropriate behaviour.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank members of the public who came forward with information relating to our investigation.”

The man is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Thursday, March 5.

Police seek six following Leith assault

Police are asking for help to trace a number of people following the serious assault of a man in Leith Walk.

Around 11.15pm on Saturday 25 January 2020 an altercation happened between two groups, both male and female, in Leith Walk, between Dalmeny Street and Iona Street. As a result one man was attacked from the rear and received serious head injuries.

Constable Lambert at Gayfield Police Station said: “The group I want to trace headed off south in Leith Walk towards London Road after the incident, and contained six people, four men and two women. They are described as follows:

Male 1 – White, tanned complexion, approx. 30 years, around 5’8” tall, stocky build, short dark receding hair and stubble, dressed in black jacket, dark jeans and dark shoes.

Male 2 – White, mid to late 20s, around 6′ tall, medium build, short brown hair, dressed in a white unzipped hooded top with eye patches on the hood, dark t-shirt, jeans and white trainers

Male 3 – White, approx. 30 years, around 5’10” tall, medium build, brown hair shaved at the sides in a “topknot”, dressed in a dark jacket, dark top with white writing, blue jeans and dark shoes

Male 4 – White, approx. 30 years, around 5’10” tall, medium build, short dark hair and stubble, dressed in a dark round neck jumper, dark jeans and dark shoes

Female 1 – White, early to mid 20s, around 5’4” tall, slim build, long blond hair, dressed in a dark jacket over a dark top, black trousers with a white stripe down the side and black shoes

Female 2 – White, mid to late 20s, around 5’8” tall, slim-medium build, shoulder length blond hair, dressed in a red top, denim jeans and red boots.

“Anyone who may have been in the area and saw anything to call us at Edinburgh on the 101 number, quoting the reference number 4271 25 January 2020. Anyone wishing to pass on any information and remain anonymous can do so through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Agencies combine to bring human traffickers to court

Four people have been charged as part of a joint operation to tackle human trafficking across the East and West of Scotland.

Led by detectives from Edinburgh’s Public Protection Unit, Operation Risbalit saw enforcement activity take place at six premises in Alloa, Inverkeithing, Cowdenbeath and Glasgow.

As a result, three men aged 41, 24 and 23 were arrested and charged along with a 25-year-old woman. All were scheduled to appear at Falkirk and Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court yesterday in connection with human trafficking offences.

Staff from a range of agencies worked together to bring the case to court. Police Scotland’s East Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism Unit and Financial Investigation Unit, as well as key partners from Immigration Enforcement Criminal and Financial Investigations (CFI); Edinburgh Social Work; National Human Trafficking Unit; National Crime Agency; BTP; Scotrail; Network Rail and COPFS played vital roles in evidence gathering and resourcing the enforcement process.

In addition to the targeted arrests, visits were carried out at businesses in Bathgate, Bonnyrigg, Edinburgh and Stirling. These were led by Immigration Enforcement and supported by officers from Police Scotland.

Detective Inspector Keith Fairbairn from Edinburgh’s Public Protection Unit said: “Extensive inquiries were undertaken by Police Scotland and supported by a number of other agencies and this culminated in the arrest of four people, who have been reported to the Procurator Fiscal.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the officers and partners involved in this operation for their support and dedication throughout.

“Identifying human trafficking and supporting victims of such offences is a top priority for Police Scotland. Operation Risbalit is an Edinburgh-led inquiry, but our officers will continue to liaise with key counterparts both nationally within Scotland and the UK.

“I want the public to be assured that any report of human trafficking will be treated with the utmost seriousness and investigated thoroughly to bring perpetrators to justice.

“If you have any concerns that someone in your community may have been trafficked, or if you are a victim of this crime and wish to report it to police, please contact us via 101 or make an anonymous report to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Police appeal following Tollcross assault

Detectives in Edinburgh are appealing for information after a 49 year-old man was seriously assaulted in Edinburgh last Friday (31 January, 2020).

Around 8.45pm on Friday evening, the 49 year-old man was walking on Brougham Street, between Tollcross and Panmure Place junctions, when he was approached by a man on a bike who was cycling on the pavement. The suspect got off his bike and assaulted the man, causing him to fall to the ground. The cyclist then made off.

The injured man attended Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where he was treated for a facial injury then later released.

The suspect is described as white, around 25-30 years of age, and of medium build. He was wearing a light grey hooded top and jogging trousers. He was riding a step-through bike.

Detective Sergeant Kevin Tait of Gayfield Police Station said: “Our enquiries into this assault are continuing and officers have been carrying out enquiries in the area of Brougham Street and viewing local CCTV footage gathering more information on the man responsible.

“I would urge anyone who witnessed this attack take place on Friday evening, or who has any information that will assist our investigation to contact officers through 101 quoting reference number 1660 of 2^nd February. Alternatively Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.”

EIGHT MILLION hours of community payback

Scotland’s communities have benefitted from around 8 million hours of unpaid work carried out by people serving community sentences since 2011.

New figures also show the number of people given supervised bail rather than being remanded in custody increased 26% between 2017-18 and 2018-19.

Unpaid work by people serving community payback orders (CPOs) supports a wide range of local needs including maintaining footpaths and clearing drains, making furniture for foodbanks and schools, work to preserve natural landscapes and redecorating community halls.

Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “While prison is necessary for offenders who pose a significant public safety risk, short-term custodial sentences are an ineffective means of rehabilitation. Imprisonment, including remand, disrupts families and communities, employment and housing – the very factors that deter offending and keep crime down.

“Unpaid work completed by people serving CPOs benefits local projects and helps them to become active and responsible contributors to their community. We recognise that some individuals will require sustained support and we are investing £9.5 million a year more in community justice services compared to 2015-16 as part of more than £100 million funding for justice social work.

“Many people in the justice system have chaotic backgrounds and struggle with addiction and mental health problems – issues that won’t be solved by a short period in prison, where hard-working staff should be focused on the most serious offenders.

“Community sentences, with supervision and other conditions where necessary, add structure and help people make the positive changes needed to tackle the causes of their behaviour.”

270 caught during motor insurance sweep

Over 270 drivers were detected driving without insurance across Scotland as part of the national Operation Drive Insured campaign.

The campaign saw a week of enhanced enforcement action between 20 January and 26 January to detect and, where appropriate, seize uninsured drivers’ vehicles and tackle associated offences.

In 2019, over 7,000 uninsured vehicles were seized in Scotland. During January’s week of action, 271 uninsured vehicles were detected which resulted in 113 vehicles being seized. The 271 drivers who were detected without insurance were reported to the Procurator Fiscal /received a Fixed Penalty Notice with a £300 fine and six penalty points.

Head of Road Policing, Chief Superintendent Louise Blakelock, said: “Driving without insurance is not a victimless crime as law-abiding drivers are at risk of paying out if they are hit by an uninsured driver.

“Additionally, uninsured motorists are more likely to have links to wider crime and often drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, posing an even greater risk to other road users.

“We will continue to take action against those who flout the law. If you have no valid insurance, you have no legal right to be on the road. I would ask the public to continue to report drivers so we can take action.”

Daren Courtenay, Motor Insurers` Bureau Police Support Officer for Scotland said: “MIB is committed to assisting the police in their continued effort of tackling uninsured driving.

“The fantastic results that Police Scotland achieved during their week of action demonstrates the need to continue this work. The vast majority of motorists are law-abiding and deserve to be protected from the increased risks posed by uninsured drivers.”

Restalrig Death: Can You Help?

Police in Edinburgh are continuing to appeal for information following the death of an elderly woman in Restalrig last week.

Margaret Grant, aged 79, died in hospital following a disturbance and assault at a property in Restalrig Circus around 6.50pm on Friday, 24 January. Her death is being investigated as suspicious and an image of Margaret has now been released.

A week since Margaret died, both uniformed and plain clothes officers will be speaking to people in the Restalrig area.

In particular, officers are seeking information on a man who entered Margaret’s property and stole from her before leaving on foot. Indications are that he may have targeted Margaret’s address.

The suspect is described as white, aged between 20 and 30-years-old, about 5ft 6ins tall with combed long black hair and a Scottish accent. He was wearing a black top which may have had white lower sleeves, and dark trousers.

Detective Chief Inspector Kevin Houliston, from the Major Investigation Team in Edinburgh, said: “Officers are following a positive line of enquiry but we are still working to establish the full circumstances of what happened and our thoughts remain with Margaret’s family. They have asked for privacy at this difficult time.

“Anyone who may have seen anything in the Restalrig Circus area around the time of this disturbance, however insignificant they may think it was, should get in touch. Likewise if anyone has dash-cam footage that might help with our investigation, please call us.”

Those with information should call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 3175 of Friday, 24 January, or make a call anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Teenagers jailed for Prestonfield murder

Three teenagers who beat a pensioner to death in Prestonfield have been given live sentences.

Keirin McMillan (20) was sentenced to 18 years in prison with his younger brother, Aron McMillan (17), given 17 years and three months. A third boy, Levi Hunter (16), was sentenced to 17 years.

The brutal attack took place at around 10.40pm on Thursday, 21 February, 2019, following a report of a disturbance at Alasdair McPherson Forsyth’s flat on Clearburn Road in Prestonfield.

On arrival, 67-year-old Alasdair was found with serious injuries to his head and body. He was pronounced dead at the scene by the Scottish Ambulance Service.

The three teenagers beat Mr Forsyth in a brutal attack with a hammer, a wrench and a screwdriver.

Detective Inspector Bob Campbell, the senior investigation officer on this case, said: “This attack on Alasdair was an unprovoked and cowardly act and the three individuals responsible have rightly been brought to justice.

“Knowing these teenagers will now spend a substantial period of time in prison is a welcome thought to the local community.

“Hopefully today’s news will give Alasdair’s family and friends closure on what has been a horrific period of time.

“I would like to thank officers and staff along with members of the community, who assisted with this investigation.”

Glue attacks at city centre venues

Police Edinburgh are appealing for information following vandalism attacks on the National Museum of Scotland and the nearby Festival Theatre.

The incidents took place in the Museum last Friday (24 January) and again the following day, while a similar attack has since been reported at the Festival Theatre on Nicholson Street.

In all of the incidents glue was applied to areas of the venues’ toilets.

Inspector Trish Robertson, of the West End Community Policing Team, said: “Thankfully nobody has been seriously injured as a result of these incidents, however these thoughtless acts were extremely irresponsible and could have potentially harmed young children.

“Officers are conducting a thorough investigation and I would urge anyone with any information, of who may have seen something suspicious, to contact Police via 101, quoting incident 2808 of 27 January.”