Police in Edinburgh are appealing for information after the theft of a campervan in the Murrayfield area.
The blue Volkswagen California van, registration VMS 321 was reported stolen from outside a property on Succoth Gardens around 2am on Thursday, 15 September.
Entry was gained to the property and the keys removed before the vehicle was taken and driven away. The campervan remains outstanding.
Detective Sergeant Craig McMillan said: “Our enquiries into this incident are ongoing and I would urge anyone who saw any suspicious activity in the area or who believes they have seen the campervan is asked to get in touch.
“You can pass on information by calling 101, quoting reference 0225 of 15 September.”
A 75-year-old man has been ordered to serve 15 years in prison for sexually abusing children more than 40 years ago.
Brian Dailey (below) was sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh yesterday (Thursday, 15 September) after carrying out the crimes while employed at a school in the Colinton area of Edinburgh.
He subjected boy and girls, aged between 7 and 12, to sexual abuse over several years between 1969 and 1979, and was convicted in August at the High Court in Glasgow.
Detective Inspector Jim McLauchlan, from the National Child Abuse Investigation Unit, said: “I cannot underestimate the courage and patience with which the victims have waited for justice.
“Dailey may have thought he was safe from prosecution but today’s sentencing is the culmination of a lengthy and complicated investigation.
“It does not matter how much time has passed, victims can be reassured that they will be listened to and we will thoroughly investigate any reports to ensure perpetrators are held to account.”
Detective are appealing for information following a fire in the Wester Hailes area in the early hours of Monday morning.
Around 2.50am on Monday (12 September, 2022) officers received reports of a shed on fire at the Murrayburn and Hailesland Community Garden.
The fire is being treated as suspicious and no-one was injured, however, an estimated £13,000 worth of damage has been caused.
Detective Sergeant Alan Sharp, of Costorphine CID, said: “Thankfully no-one was injured as a result of the fire.
“This fire caused a great deal of damage to the shed and its contents, although it is fortunate it didn’t spread further and cause even more destruction.
“Enquiries into the incident are ongoing and we are appealing for anyone with information or saw any suspicious activity in the area to please come forward.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting incident 0948 of 12 September. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, if you wish to remain anonymous.
A spokesperson for Murrayburn and Hailsland Community Garden said: “Appreciate the support from everyone last night. Sorry to say we lost our children’s natural play shed which was set light to, and play materials and a load of new tools that Tesco had just donated to the garden.
“It’s a blow for all the young folk who helped build the shed in the first instance. A punch to the guts.
“We’ll put things right and use this as an opportunity to improve on what was already there. Onwards!”
Officers investigating the murder of Peter Coshan, 75, have recovered the body of a man in Northumberland.
The body was found on land close to the A696 near the village of Kirkwhelpington this morning (Sunday, 4 September).
He is still to be formally identified but Mr Coshan’s family has been made aware.
Detective Superintendent Andrew Patrick, of Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team, said: “Our thoughts remain with Peter’s family at this incredibly difficult time and we are continuing to provide them with support.
“I would like to take the opportunity to pass on our thanks to everyone who has come forward with information which has helped our investigation.”
Two men, aged 27 and 63, have previously been arrested and charged in connection. Both have already appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.
The Home Secretary has announced a £150,000 package to support the communities of Liverpool and Knowsley in the wake of the tragic shootings in the city. This will provide specialist trauma informed support in nearby schools, as well as mental health provisions for those closely affected.
Following the horrific killings of Sam Rimmer, Ashley Dale and Olivia Pratt-Korbel in Merseyside within a week of each other, the Home Secretary also announced £350,000 to expand the ‘Clear, Hold, Build’ pilot to other areas in Merseyside affected by Serious and Organised Crime.
The pilot sees both a proactive policing response and multi-agency working to support communities worst affected by Organised Crime Groups to make them more resilient and less susceptible to their activities.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “The whole country has been appalled at the spate of violence in Liverpool over the past couple of weeks, which has tragically left 9 people dead, including 9 year old Olivia.
The impact on the wider community is immense, which is why we are providing funding for specialist trauma and mental health support for those who need it, as well as expanding the ‘Clear, Hold, Build’ pilot to disrupt Merseyside’s corrosive and deadly Organised Crime Groups.
We will stop at nothing to drive down serious violence and ensure that fewer families have to endure the pain of losing a loved one in this way.
Established in the Birkenhead area of Merseyside in January 2022, the pilot has focused on making sustainable reductions in firearms and knife crime offences, whilst improving community confidence and delivering preventative programmes to over 2,000 young people in the area.
Priti Patel made the announcement on a visit to Liverpool on Friday where she met with Merseyside Police’s Chief Constable, to receive an update on the investigation, and then with the local policing commander to understand the impact the violence has had on the community and what resilience plans are being put in place.
Police in Edinburgh are appealing for witnesses after an officer was injured prior to the Heart of Midlothian v FC Zurich match on Thursday (25 August, 2022).
Shortly after 7.05pm an officer sustained serious injuries when a traffic cone was thrown on McLeod Street in Edinburgh during the escort of football fans to Tynecastle Park Stadium.
The officer received treatment at the scene.
Detective Constable Andy Lambert, of Gayfield CID, said: “An officer was injured as a result of this incident so we are appealing for anyone who was in the area and witnessed what happened to get in touch.
“I would also encourage anyone who may have video footage of the incident to contact us.
“Anyone with information should contact police via 101, quoting incident 2449 of 25 August. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
● Fringe star Paul Black once again becomes fake money mule recruiter to raise awareness of online fraud
● Those caught face up to a fourteen-year jail sentence and lifetime bank a/c ban
● Young people most at risk with half (48%) of victims aged 18-26
Scottish comedian Paul Black is partnering with NatWest for a second time to raise awareness of money muling – an activity where targets are recruited to channel illicit funds through their personal bank accounts.
Following a successful run of sell-out shows at this year’s Fringe, Paul will be out and about on the streets of Edinburgh on Wednesday 24th August.
Once again donning the persona of the “money mule man”, the award-winning comic will be approaching festival goers to look after money. If they simply say no, they will be rewarded with a £100 cash prize, while those who say yes will go home empty handed.
Earlier in the year Paul toured Scotland’s cities to raise awareness of money muling and support people in being vigilant about the ways criminals might try and exploit them by making use of their bank account.
Instances of money muling increased dramatically during the pandemic and over 17,000 suspected cases involving 21- to 30-year-olds were recorded in 2020 according to Cifas, the UK’s leading fraud prevention body. Rising social media usage during lockdown is thought to be linked to the spike, with criminals using apps such as Snapchat and Instagram to recruit targets.
Money muling often involves criminals recruiting young people to use their bank accounts to move cash which has been illegally stolen or transferred from another account.
Despite the upsurge in money muling, many young people are unaware of the consequences of allowing criminals access to their accounts – with those caught facing up to a fourteen-year prison sentence and a lifetime ban from holding a bank account.
Cifas research has found that the number of 14–18-year-olds charged with money muling offenses to have risen by 73% since 2020.
Commenting on the campaign, Paul Black said: “I hadn’t heard of money muling until I got involved in the campaign earlier in the year, but that’s the problem – people are letting criminals channel money through their bank accounts with no idea that what they’re doing is actually against the law. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
“Edinburgh has such a great atmosphere during the Fringe, and I’ll be out and about to see if tourists and residents alike are clued up on money muling and find out who’s smart enough to win 100 quid!”
A NatWest spokesperson, said: “The message is simple: if approached to be a money mule, always say no.
“The consequences of becoming involved in this type of crime are severe, your bank account will be closed down and you could end up in prison.”
Police in Liverpool have launched an investigation following the tragic fatal shooting of a child in Knotty Ash last night, Monday 22nd August.
Officers attended at a house on Kingsheath Avenue at 10pm after reports that an unknown male had fired a gun inside the property.
A nine-year-old girl suffered a gunshot injury to the chest and was taken to hospital in a critical condition. She has since sadly died.
Next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained family liaison officers.
A man also suffered gunshot wounds to his body and a woman suffered a gunshot injury to her hand during the incident inside the house.
They have both been taken to hospital for treatment for their injuries.
An investigation is underway and house-to-house, CCTV and forensic enquiries are in the process of being carried out. A cordon is also in place.
Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims said: “This is a truly shocking incident in which tragically a young and innocent girl has been shot and sadly died.
“Our thoughts and condolences go to her family and friends at this very difficult time. No parent should ever have to suffer the loss of a child in these dreadful circumstances.
“This crime is abhorrent and our communities must come forward and tell us who is responsible.
“This cowardly individual does not deserve to be walking the streets and I would urge those who know anything to speak to us and tell us what they know so that we can put the person responsible behind bars where they belong.
“We are carrying out a number of lines of enquiry as a matter of urgency and would ask for dashcam, CCTV or mobile phone footage from anyone who lives, works or was visiting the area of Kingsheath Avenue last night.”
The shooting comes on the 15th anniversary of the death of eleven year old Liverpool schoolboy Rhys Jones, who was shot while making his way home from football training.
A 39-year-old man who carried out a series of rapes and other sexual assaults across Edinburgh between November 2018 and August 2020 has been jailed.
Emmanuel Anoliefo (pictured above) was previously convicted at the High Court in Edinburgh in July 2022 of four charges of rape, involving three different women, two charges of sexual assault, three of threatening and abusive behaviour and one of stalking.
Anoliefo was sentenced to 12 years in prison at the High Court in Glasgow yesterday.
Detective Sergeant Mark Seymour said: “Anoliefo preyed on women, some of whom he already knew. He deliberately decided to exploit others who he approached in the street and tried to befriend. He was ruthless, dangerous and cruel and has shown no remorse for his crimes.
“He claimed to have been brought up to respect women but his victims were left terrified and distraught and are still trying to come to terms with what has happened.
“I commend the bravery of every woman who came forward, some of whom testified in court, and hope that the sentencing gives them some kind of closure.
“I would also like to thank the public for their response to our appeal for information in August 2020, as this assisted with our investigation which led to Anoliefo being apprehended and being brought to justice.
“Police Scotland is committed to bringing those responsible for sexual crimes to justice and anyone wishing to report this kind of crime, no matter when it happened, should contact us.”
POLICE in Edinburgh have launched Operation Summer City 2022 to keep the public safe during the festival season.
Chief Inspector Mark Hamilton, Operation Summer City Silver Commander, said: “It’s always an incredible atmosphere within Edinburgh during the Festival and with so many people visiting our city, it’s important we have appropriate resources in place to keep people safe and respond to the range of potential incidents that could occur.
”As the city gets busier, we may see reports of certain acquisitive crimes rising and while we will have an increased presence in place to investigate these, the public can play an important role in helping prevent these offences by always keeping hold of their stuff, being mindful of anyone getting too close to them and keeping valuables stored safely away safely.
“Many of our licensed premises will also be operating with later licences and that can mean an increase in alcohol-related disorder and violence. To minimise this, we’ve been liaising with bar and nightclub staff to remind them of their licensing responsibilities and to ensure they share information with one another about anyone who has been within their venue causing trouble.
“I would ask anyone coming into Edinburgh to enjoy the night-time economy to do so responsibly and not have your evening ruined because of excessive consumption. Within the Capital we have special bail conditions that can be imposed on anyone who commits a crime in a licensed premises, or as a result of having been within one. If you are charged in connection with an offence the bail conditions will prohibit you from entering any other licensed premises within the city centre until the conclusion of your trial.
“The last two years without the Festival in its full capacity have been a huge miss to the city of Edinburgh and its local residents and businesses. We look forward to welcoming everyone back, but please work with us to ensure it’s a memorable event for all the right reasons.”
Thank you Edinburgh Castle for hosting the launch on the Castle Esplanade.
Sorry to say we lost our children’s natural play shed which was set light to, and play materials and a load of new tools that Tesco had just donated to the garden. 
