Tag: Crime

Another weekend, another deliberate fire in Drylaw

There’s been another deliberate fire in North Edinburgh – for the third successive weekend.

This time, a garden shed in Easter Drylaw Drive was set ablaze in the early hours of this morning. Police, fire and ambulance services were on the scene from 1.30am and the road was temporarily closed while the fire was tackled.

It’s the third weekend in a row that there have been wilful fireraising incidents in the North Edinburgh community – and all have taken place in the early hours of the morning.

Last week’s meeting of Drylaw Telford Community Council discussed the arson incidents that took place on 18 September and the group issued an appeal on their Facebook page:

‘These fires were devastating to those affected and we are extremely lucky that more people were not injured. The “what if’s” do not bear thinking about.

‘The unusually dry weather for September that we have had recently would make any fire spread faster therefore It is so important that the perpetrators are caught and for this not to happen again.

‘The police have been talking to residents that have CCTV but we would urge anyone with CCTV, ring doorbell camera’s etc who have not yet been contacted to please contact:

  1. The Police on 101 quoting incident number 0765 of the 18th
    September 2021.
  2. Anonomously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
  3. Message this page and we can forward information

‘Likewise, if anyone has any information at all, then please make contact using the above methods.’

Investigations are ongoing.

RoSPA alarmed by rise in cyclist and child road deaths

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) is deeply concerned that latest Department for Transport (DfT) figures show an increase in the number of fatal collisions involving cyclists and children, despite an overall reduction in the number of road deaths following a year of lockdowns.

The DfT published the Reported Road Casualties Great Britain 2020 which shows that last year 1,460 people were killed on our roads, which is a fall of 17 per cent compared with the figure in 2019.

In 2020, there were a total of 115,584 reported road casualties of all severities, which was a fall of 25 per cent from the previous year. For much of 2020, there was a COVID lockdown and the RAC estimated that miles travelled in Great Britain were 21 per cent down on the previous year.

Alarmingly, data from the DfT shows that in 2020, 141 cyclists were killed in road accidents. This was up 41 per cent from 100 deaths in the previous year. The number of children killed on Britain’s roads also increased, from 49 in 2019 to 52 in 2020.

David Walker, Head of Road and Leisure Safety at RoSPA said: “By any measure 2020 was an abnormal year. It is of no surprise that the overall number of road casualties fell. This is in no small part due to less traffic on the roads.

“With traffic levels returning to pre-pandemic levels and some understandable reluctance towards using public transport, we must today continue to focus on the harm to motorists and more significantly, from motorists.

“We welcome the fact that more people have been getting out on their bikes and recognise the reduction in the rate of deaths per mile travelled. However, this should not distract from the shocking fact that more cyclists and more children died on our roads than in the previous year.

“At RoSPA we believe that having more cyclists and pedestrians should not result in an increased number of serious and fatal accidents involving vulnerable road users.

“We must continue to act decisively if we want to maintain the position of British roads being among the safest in the world.”

With travel restrictions in place throughout 2020, there was a huge increase in the number of people electing to use active travel such as walking and cycling.

According to the DfT‘s Road Traffic Estimates in Great Britain 2020, pedal cycle traffic was up by 45.7 per cent from the previous year.

Crimestoppers Scotland receives record number of calls

Over the past year (1st April 2020-31st March 2021) independent charity Crimestoppers Scotland and their youth programme Fearless received a record 16,500 calls and contacts from the Scottish public.

This increase sees the most disseminations to Police Scotland and Law Enforcement ever – representing a 10% increase in crime information compared to 19/20 and a 65% increase over five years.

Responding to school and youth service closures, Fearless delivered 12 Scotland-wide campaigns focused on empowering young people with key information about high harm crimes.

Over 58,000 young people from all across Scotland visited the charity’s youth website Fearless.org and reported crime – 100% anonymously – more than ever before. 

Information from the public also achieved:

  • 549 Criminals arrested and charged (thanks to Police Scotland & Law Enforcement)
  • Three people were arrested and charged with murder/unlawful killings.
  • ‘Street’ Value of drugs recovered £1,479,599. Nearly ONE AND A HALF MILLION.
  • Six Wanted Persons and Fugitives were arrested and charged.
  • 27 disqualified and uninsured drivers were arrested and charged.
  • Five arrested for possession of a firearm and five firearms recovered.

Angela Parker, National Manager for Crimestoppers Scotland, said: ‘The past year has been unprecedented and very challenging, but people across Scotland came forward and trusted us with their information.

“From drug dealing to child harm and neglect, we heard from thousands of people concerned about crime in communities. We are so encouraged and grateful for the people who contacted our charity – thanks to the Scottish public, life is better for many and communities are safer.” 

 Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie (Partnerships, Prevention and Community Wellbeing) said: “We want the public to know they can trust us when they come to us with information, we take their reports seriously and carry out thorough investigations into incidents or crimes that may be reported. 

“We also understand though that speaking to the police in person about certain situations can be daunting for some. In that respect, Crimestoppers is an essential partner for Police Scotland, enabling people to submit information anonymously and allowing that information to be shared with us quickly.

“We’re also grateful to Fearless for its ongoing survey giving young people a chance to speak about what they think about crime and how safe they feel in their communities. Their input will help shape our approach and interactions with young people for the future.’’

Ash Denham MSP, Minister for Community Safety said: “The Scottish Government is committed to tackling crime in Scotland by working across the country with partners, such as Crimestoppers, to help communities remain safe and resilient where people can live their lives safe from crime and harm.

“By picking up the phone and contacting Crimestoppers you can help to prevent, detect and solve crime. The number of reports to Crimestoppers has reached a record high in the past 12 months.

“This has been of particular importance and value during these challenging times and I would like to thank them sincerely for the part they play in helping keep people in Scotland safe.”

Three sought following attempted robbery in Claremont Court

Detectives in Edinburgh are appealing for information following the attempted robbery of a man and woman in the Claremont area. The incident took place around 10.50pm on Tuesday (28th September) in a property at Claremont Court.

The victims, a couple in their 60s, were approached and threatened by three males, who arrived and left Claremont Court on a motorcycle.

The suspects are described as follows:

Suspect 1
Male, Asian appearance, with Scottish accent, around 6ft tall, of medium build and clean shaven. He was wearing dark clothing and possibly wearing a hat.

Suspect 2
Male, described as either Asian or African appearance, with a Scottish accent, around 5’10, of medium build and possibly clean shaven. He was wearing dark clothing and possibly a hat.

Suspect 3
Male around 6ft tall, of medium build. He was wearing a dark coloured motor cycle helmet, dark coloured clothing and dark coloured gloves.

Detective Sergeant Oliver Healy, from Edinburgh CID, said: “It is thankful that the victims were not injured as a result of this incident, however they were left badly shaken.

“We are appealing for anyone who was in the Claremont Court, Claremont Street, Broughton Road or Logie Green Road areas on the evening of 28th September, and believes they may have seen the suspects in question to please come forward. We are also keen to speak with any motorists with potential dash cam footage from the area at that time.

“Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting incident 3657 of 28 September 2021. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, if you wish to remain anonymous.”

Crime: Justice Secretary hails ‘very positive trends’

Crimes in four key areas down in the past year

Recorded crime remains at one of the lowest levels in nearly 50 years, according to the latest annual statistics.

Official figures show that the total number of crimes recorded by Police Scotland in the past year was 246,511 – one of the lowest levels of recorded crime since 1974.

Overall, that figure is down by five crimes from the previous year. However, taking into account the 20,976 crimes recorded under Coronavirus related legislation, compared to just 107 towards the end of 2019-20, other crime categories have collectively decreased by 8% in the past year.

Between 2019-20 and 2020-21 recorded crime fell in four key areas:

  • non-sexual crimes of violence decreased by 4%, from 9,316 to 8,972. This includes the recording of 1,641 crimes under the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018 in 2020-21, the second year this legislation has been in place
  • sexual crimes decreased by 2% from 13,364 to 13,131
  • crimes of dishonesty decreased by 19%, from 111,409 to 89,731, the lowest level since 1971
  • fire-raising and vandalism decreased by 10% from 47,731 to 42,964. The recording of these crimes is at the lowest level seen since 1975

The National Statistics Recorded Crime in Scotland 2020-21 bulletin – which includes a new chapter on cyber-crime – estimated that 14,130 cyber-crimes were recorded by the police in Scotland in 2020-21, almost double the 2019-20 figure.

Part of this increase may be due to the significant impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, including behavioural changes such as increased online shopping.

Justice Secretary Keith Brown said: “By all main measures crime, including violent crime, is now considerably lower than it was a decade ago, with fewer victims. These statistics show how crime in areas like vandalism and dishonesty – the sorts of crime that affects peoples’ everyday lives – has fallen, with levels not seen since the 1970s.

“There is still work to be done as the figures on cybercrime show – which is why we have this year published a prevention, awareness and enforcement strategy to make Scotland an inhospitable place for scammers.

“And while COVID-19 has no doubt had an impact on the figures, recorded crime was on a downward trend beforehand and through the measures we recently announced out in our Programme for Government – we will continue to make Scotland a safe place to live.

“It sets out how we intend to transform the way in which justice services are delivered, moving away from the use of custody for those who don’t pose a risk of serious harm, while protecting the police resource budget in real terms for the entirety of the Parliament.

“Overall, these very positive trends are testimony not just to the hard work of Police Scotland but to the vital support the Scottish Government has put in place to enable officers to do their jobs effectively.”

Read the full statistical release.

Police seek information following night fires in Drylaw and Pilton

Police have launched an investigation into a series of fires which took place across Drylaw and Pilton in the early hours of this morning.

The six separate incidents were reported between approximately 2.30am and 4.30am at properties on a number of streets: Wester Drylaw Avenue, Wester Drylaw Drive, Crewe Road North, Groathill Loan and Groathill Road North.

The fires are all being treated as suspicious. Whilst there were no serious injuries reported, a number of people were treated at the scene and one person was taken to hospital.

Detective Inspector Jonny Wright, from Gayfield CID, said: “It is fortunate that these fires were discovered and extinguished when they were, and that we are not investigating a far more serious and tragic set of circumstances.

“Enquiries into each of these incidents are ongoing and we are appealing for anyone with information, or who may have seen any suspicious activity on these streets, to please come forward.

“We will be increasing our patrols in the area and engaging with the local community, to provide reassurance as we work to identify those responsible.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting incident 0675 of 18 September. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, if you wish to remain anonymous.”

Week-long Drug Drive Campaign sees 42 drivers arrested

More than 100 roadside drug screening tests were conducted during a Drug Driving Campaign carried out by Police Scotland.

The campaign ran from August 23 to 29 when officers conducted a total of 109 roadside drug screening tests across Scotland, resulting in 42 drivers being arrested for providing a positive test. Blood samples were subsequently obtained from those arrested and sent for further analysis.

Officers from Greater Glasgow Road Policing, who deployed in support of the campaign observed a man driving using his mobile phone. When stopped he admitted to having consumed cannabis and the subsequent roadside drug test was positive for cannabis and cocaine. Following his arrest, a blood sample was obtained and submitted for analysis.

Superintendent Simon Bradshaw said: “Despite roadside drug testing being in place for almost two years and our continued efforts to raise awareness of the dangers associated with taking drugs and driving, our officers continue to detect drug driving offences far too regularly.

“Driving after taking drugs can have serious or even fatal consequences, impacting not only the driver but all those involved including family and friends.

“Police Scotland are committed to taking action against those who selfishly put others at risk by driving after consuming alcohol or taking drugs. I would encourage people to report drink or drug drivers or concerning behaviour to us, officers will act on this information to stop offenders before they injure or kill themselves or someone else.”

Spate of robberies: man charged

A 31-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with a series of robberies at business premises in Edinburgh.

The man has been charged in connection with 13 incidents in various areas across the city between Friday, 27 August and Wednesday, 8 September.

He is expected to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court tomorrow.

Arthur’s Seat death: Man charged

Police have confirmed that a man has been charged in connection with the suspicious death of a woman in Holyrood Park.

Police and emergency services were called to Arthur’s Seat in Holyrood Park at around 9pm on Thursday, 2 September, 2021. A 31-year-old woman died at the scene a short time later and her death is being treated as suspicious.

She can be named as Fawziyah Javed from Pudsey, West Yorkshire.

A 27-year-old man was arrested in connection with the incident and has now been charged. He is expected to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, 6 September, 2021.

Detective Inspector Bob Williamson said: “Fawziyah’s family ask for their privacy to be respected during this extremely difficult time.“I’d like to thank the officers and partners who attended the scene on Thursday evening and have assisted with our ongoing enquiries.”