Tag: Crime

Peer mentors initiative to tackle crime culture coming to Edinburgh

  • Former young offenders acting as ‘peer mentors’ to help children escape from a life of serious organised crime
  • Edinburgh, Newcastle and Cardiff identified for roll out following successful project in Glasgow
  • Two thirds of teenagers supported by Glasgow project have significantly improved their offending behaviour
  • Analysis shows a £½m city council saving by ‘diverting’ high risk young people from secure care
  • According to UK Government, organised crime – including money laundering and drug trafficking – bigger threat to UK than terrorism
  • Run by UK charity Action for Children and funded with £4.6m from The National Lottery Community Fund, project will now target ‘high-risk’ 11-18-year-olds across the UK.

A ground-breaking programme diverting young people away from a life of serious organised crime is to be rolled out to a number of cities across the UK.

Action for Children’s Serious Organised Crime Early Intervention service has been running in Glasgow since 2013 and will now be rolled out to Edinburgh, Newcastle and Cardiff, funded by £4.6 million from The National Lottery Community Fund. Continue reading Peer mentors initiative to tackle crime culture coming to Edinburgh

Woman found injured in West Pilton stair

Police in Edinburgh are appealing for witnesses following a report of serious injuries to a woman in West Pilton.

The woman was discovered around 5.25am yesterday, inside a common stairwell at an address in West Pilton Avenue and police are investigating how she obtained her injuries. Continue reading Woman found injured in West Pilton stair

Dispersal Zones back in place for firework season

Dispersal zones are to be set up across Edinburgh again this year to help tackle antisocial behaviour and disorder ahead of Bonfire Night. The zones will cover the hours between 2pm and midnight from Friday November 1 to Tuesday November 5. Continue reading Dispersal Zones back in place for firework season

Six years for Edinburgh child abuser

A man was sentenced yesterday for child sexual abuse committed in the Edinburgh area over a three-year period. 

Jason King, 41, was convicted following a trial at the High Court on 19th September, where he was found guilty of three offences of indecent behaviour toward young girls. Continue reading Six years for Edinburgh child abuser

Police appeal after Slateford robbery

Police are appealing for witnesses following a robbery in the Slateford area. The incident happened around 7.50pm on Saturday outside an address on Hutchison Loan.

A 19-year-old woman was approached by a man, who stole her black handbag before running in the direction of Slateford Road.

The man is described as being white, in his 50s, 5ft 9 with an average build, short grey or black hair and stubble. He was wearing dark clothing, including a dark grey hoodie, with the hood down.

The victim was not injured in the incident.

Detective Sergeant Gavin Howat, of Corstorphine CID, said: “It is very fortunate that there were no injuries as a result of this robbery, but the victim has been left shaken and upset by the loss of her bag and its contents.

“Officers have been carrying out enquiries in the area and have established that the suspect was seen acting strangely in the front garden of a neighbouring property shortly before the incident took place.

“We would be keen to hear from anyone else who either witnessed the robbery itself or saw any suspicious activity in the area throughout the evening.”

Anyone with information can contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident 3773 of 19 October. Alternatively, anonymous reports can be made to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Appeal following Trinity bogus workmen incident

Police are appealing for witnesses following a bogus workmen incident in Trinity’s Russell Place area.

At around 10.00am on Tuesday (15 October), an 80-year-old man was visited by a man who offered to carry out some garden work. A fee was agreed and paid in cash, even though it appeared that no work had been carried out. Continue reading Appeal following Trinity bogus workmen incident

Human trafficking gang convicted following five year operation

Four members of an organised crime group have been convicted of trafficking offences at the High Court in Glasgow. Three men and one woman convicted yesterday marked the conclusion of a five-year-long investigation undertaken by Police Scotland. Continue reading Human trafficking gang convicted following five year operation