More than 300 firearms and 80 lots of ammunition have been surrendered to police across Scotland as part of a UK-wide firearms surrender campaign to remove unlicensed weapons from our communities and prevent them being used for criminality.
319 weapons including shotguns, BB guns, air weapons and imitation firearms were handed into police stations between Thursday, 12 May and Sunday, 29 May, 2022.
Assistant Chief Constable Alan Speirs said: “It’s really important that we continue to build on public safety across Scotland by providing opportunities for the safe surrender of weapons like this and by reminding the public to check their licences.”
“Members of the public are reminded that it is against the law to be in possession of an unlicensed firearm, regardless of how you acquire it and are reminded that firearms can be surrendered to the Police at any time”
“If anyone has any doubt, we have specially trained officers across the country who can make unlicensed weapons safe and remove them.”
Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans Keith Brown said: “We are grateful to Police Scotland for this important campaign to encourage those in possession of unneeded or unlicensed firearms or air weapons to safely hand them over.
“Firearm offences remain at historically low levels in Scotland, but by removing more than 300 weapons as well as ammunition this initiative will help keep our communities safe and prevent firearms from falling into the wrong hands.”
Anyone looking for more advice on firearms licensing can visit the Police Scotland website here
Police Scotland has released the image of a man they believe may hold information which might assist investigations into a serious assault in the VIP area of Atik Nightclub in West Tollcross at around 1.50am on 12 February 2022.
The male is described as being white, aged between 18 and 24, around 5ft 11in tall with dark-coloured brushed forward hair. He was wearing a red jumper, jeans and dark-coloured trainers.
Detective Sergeant Gary Smyth of Gayfield CID said: “I would urge the male, or anyone who has information relating to this male, depicted in this image to make contact with the Police.
“Anyone with any information is asked to contact Police at Gayfield CID, Edinburgh via 101 quoting reference number 2134 of 18 February 2022. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be passed on anonymously.”
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is warning tax credits customers to be aware of scams and fraudsters who imitate the department in an attempt to steal their personal information or money.
About 2.1 million tax credits customers are expected to renew their annual claims by 31 July 2022 and could be more susceptible to the tactics used by criminals who mimic government messages to make them appear authentic.
In the 12 months, to April 2022, HMRC responded to nearly 277,000 referrals of suspicious contact received from the public. Fraudsters use phone calls, text messages and emails to try and dupe individuals – often trying to rush them to make decisions. HMRC will not ring anyone out of the blue threatening arrest – only criminals do that.
Typical scam examples include:
· phone calls threatening arrest if people don’t immediately pay fictitious tax owed. Sometimes they claim that the victim’s National Insurance number has been used fraudulently
· emails or texts offering spurious tax rebates, bogus COVID-19 grants or claiming that a direct debit payment has failed
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said: “We’re urging all of our customers to be really careful if they are contacted out of the blue by someone asking for money or bank details.
“There are a lot of scams out there where fraudsters are calling, texting or emailing customers claiming to be from HMRC. If you have any doubts, we suggest you don’t reply directly, and contact us straight away. Search GOV.UK for our ‘scams checklist’ and to find out ‘how to report tax scams’.”
HMRC does not charge tax credits customers to renew their annual claims and is also urging them to be alert to misleading websites or adverts designed to make them pay for government services that should be free, often charging for a connection to HMRC phone helplines.
Renewing online is quick and easy. Customers can log into GOV.UK to check the progress of their renewal, be reassured it is being processed and know when they will hear back from HMRC. Customers choosing to use the HMRC app on their smartphone can:
If there is a change in a customer’s circumstances that could affect their tax credits claims, they must report the changes to HMRC. Circumstances that could affect tax credits payments include changes to:
· living arrangements
· childcare
· working hours, or
· income (increase or decrease)
Tax credits are ending and will be replaced by Universal Credit by the end of 2024. Many customers who move from tax credits to Universal Credit could be financially better off and can use an independent benefits calculator to check.
If customers choose to apply sooner, it is important to get independent advice beforehand as they will not be able to go back to tax credits or any other benefits that Universal Credit replaces.
Police Scotland has released an image of a man officers believe may be able to assist in relation to enquiries into a serious assault in Edinburgh.
The incident happened at The Hive nightclub in Niddry Street around 1.35am on Friday, 10 September, 2021.
The man (pictured above) is described as white, aged in his early 30s, of medium build and with short hair. He has a distinctive tattoo sleeve on his right arm and another tattoo on one of his calves. He was wearing a baseball cap, a light-coloured t-shirt or polo shirt and shorts.
Detective Constable Craig Moran, of Edinburgh CID, said: “I would urge the man, or anyone who has information relating to him to make contact with the police.
“Anyone with any information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0205 of Friday, 10 September, 2021, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be passed anonymously.”
Firearms and ammunition can be surrendered at police stations across Scotland as part of a UK-wide firearms surrender campaign.
Running from Thursday 12 May until Sunday 29 May, people in possession of firearms and ammunition, for which they do not hold a valid certificate, will be able to surrender these to police.
In addition to being able to hand in firearms and ammunition, the public will be able to hand over replica firearms, air weapons, BB guns, imitation firearms, component parts and other ballistic items.
The public can hand firearms and weapons to any police station, however are asked where possible to attend at designated locations across Scotland.
Assistant Chief Constable Alan Speirs said: “The purpose of the firearms surrender campaign is to remove firearms from criminal availability and therefore reduce the risk of harm to the public and our communities.
“People will be able to surrender unlicensed weapons and ammunition to a number of dedicated police stations throughout Scotland and I would encourage people to do so.”
Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans Keith Brown said: “I would encourage anyone in possession of an unneeded or unlicensed firearm or air weapon to safely hand it over to police at one of their designated police stations.
“Firearm offences remain at historically low levels in Scotland, but by removing unwanted weapons this important campaign by Police Scotland will help keep our communities safe and prevent firearms from falling into the wrong hands.”
Firearms and ammunition can be surrendered at police stations across Scotland as part of a UK-wide firearms surrender campaign.
From Thursday 12 May until Sunday 29 May, people in possession of firearms and ammunition, for which they do not hold a valid certificate, will be able to surrender these to police.
In addition to being able to hand in firearms and ammunition, the public will be able to hand over replica firearms, air weapons, BB guns, imitation firearms, component parts and other ballistic items.
The public can hand firearms and weapons to any police station, however are asked where possible to attend at designated locations across Scotland.
Assistant Chief Constable Alan Speirs said: “The purpose of the firearms surrender campaign is to remove firearms from criminal availability and therefore reduce the risk of harm to the public and our communities.
“People will be able to surrender unlicensed weapons and ammunition to a number of dedicated police stations throughout Scotland and I would encourage people to do so.”
Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans Keith Brown said: “I would encourage anyone in possession of an unneeded or unlicensed firearm or air weapon to safely hand it over to police at one of their designated police stations.
“Firearm offences remain at historically low levels in Scotland, but by removing unwanted weapons this important campaign by Police Scotland will help keep our communities safe and prevent firearms from falling into the wrong hands.”
Dedicated stations for the surrender are:
Edinburgh Division: St Leonards
Fife Division: Levenmouth, Kirkcaldy, Dunfermline
Forth Valley Division: Stirling, Randolphfield, Falkirk
Lothians and Scottish Borders: Dalkeith, Galashiels, Haddington, Livingston
A 25-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the murder of Aimee Jane Cannon in West Calder.
Aimee Jane (26) was found with a number of serious injuries at a property on Learmonth Crescent, West Calder around 6.35pm on Saturday, 7 May, 2022.
Enquiries remain ongoing following the arrest.
Members of the public can still submit information via an online portal.
The Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) is a website that gives the public access to a form so they can send information directly to the major incident teams based at the Scottish Crime Campus: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/SCOT22S14-PO1
Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101 quoting reference 3181 of 7 May, 2022.
Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.
A 48-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with the death of 30-year-old Liam Maloney in Niddrie.
Liam died on Saturday (7 May), after being seriously injured on Niddrie Marischal Road, around 8pm on Thursday, 5 May.
The 48-year-old man is expected to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today (Tuesday, 10 May, 2022).
Detective Inspector Scott Roxburgh, of Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team, said: ““We’d like to thank the public for their assistance with this investigation.
“There will remain a police presence in the area over the coming days and we continue to appeal for anyone with further information to please come forward.
“You can call police on 101, quoting reference 3262 of 5 May, or submit information directly to the Major Investigation Team via our dedicated portal, where you can select to remain anonymous.”
The portal can be accessed at https://mipp.police.uk/operation/SCOT22S13-PO1.
Alternatively, Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.
A murder inquiry has been launched following the death of a 30-year-old man in Edinburgh.
Around 8pm on Thursday, 5 May, 2022, Liam Maloney was seriously assaulted on Niddrie Marischal Road, near to its junction with Niddrie Marischal Grove..He was taken by ambulance to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, where he died yesterday (Saturday, 7 May).
His relatives are aware and a report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal.
A post mortem examination has been carried out and the death is being treated as murder.
Detective Chief Inspector Frank Travers, of the Major Investigation Team, said: “This appears to have been a targeted incident and we do not believe there is any risk to the wider public.
“Extensive police enquiries are ongoing at this time and officers are gathering CCTV footage from the surrounding area.Door to door inquiries are also being carried out.
“We will have a continued police presence in the area and I would like to reassure the local community that everything is being done to trace the person responsible.
“I would ask anyone who was in the Niddrie Marischal Road and Niddrie Marischal Grove area on Thursday night, and who may have seen or heard a disturbance, or witnessed anything suspicious, to please get in touch with us.
“We have also set up a website that gives members of the public access to a form to send information directly to the Major Investigation Team.
“Anyone with any CCTV, dashcam or any other footage that they think would assist the enquiry can also send this via this link.
“You can select to remain anonymous when submitting information.
A man responsible for a series of serious sexual offences against women and children in Edinburgh has been convicted.
Yesterday at Edinburgh High Court (5th May 2022), John O’Flaherty was found guilty of serious sexual offences, including rape committed against 4 females between the 1980s and 1990s.
The 65-year-old became the subject of a public protection investigation after the victims, who are now all adults, came forward to report the abuse they were subjected to.
The sexual abuse survivors were aged between 7 and 32, with the majority of attacks taking place within the North of the city. However, other addresses and locations within the South West were also identified during the inquiry.
Detectives from Edinburgh’s Public Protection Unit spent more than two years gathering evidence against O’Flaherty before he was initially arrested in June 2020, with further charges added over the following months.
He will now be sentenced at a later date.
Detective Inspector Jonny Wright said: “For more than two decades John O’Flaherty targeted young woman who lived within, or frequented, the North of Edinburgh and subjected them to horrific levels of sexual abuse.
“The impact of his offending had a significant and long-lasting effect on communities within the North and had it not been for the outstanding courage of these women in coming forward, then O’Flaherty would not have been brought to justice.
“I want to thank each survivor of O’Flaherty’s abuse for their strength during our investigation and I also wish to acknowledge the outstanding work of the detectives and criminal justice partners who worked so diligently to ensure this case reached a successful conclusion.
“Today’s conviction should serve as a reassuring reminder to the public that time is no barrier to our investigation and whenever reports of sexual assault are made, we will utilise all resources at our disposal to investigate thoroughly and provide those affected with all the relevant support they require.”
