Police seek witnesses to walkway robbery

Cyclists may hold vital information

Police are appealing for witnesses following an assault and robbery in North Edinburgh yesterday.

The incident happened around 6am near the Boswall Place exit on the walkway behind Morrisons that runs from Crewe Road North to Pilton Drive.

A 57-year-old man was approached and assaulted by six youths, who then stole his phone. The scene was attended by the Scottish Ambulance Service and the victim was treated for minor facial injuries.

The first suspect is described as a white male, around 5ft tall, 14-years-old, with a skinny build. He had short dark hair and was wearing a black tracksuit.

The second and third suspects are described as white males, 15-16 years old, around 5ft 5inches in height with skinny builds. They were dressed all in black and one of them was in possession of a bicycle.

The remaining three suspects are all described as white males, 17-18 years old, around 5ft 9inches tall with skinny builds. All were wearing grey cotton tracksuits.

The group were last seen heading in the direction of Crewe Road.

Detective Constable Chris Harding said: “This was an unprovoked and cowardly attack on a lone man as he went about his daily business and we’re urging anyone with information which can help with our enquiries to come forward.

“In particular, we’re eager to trace two cyclists who were in the area at the time of the incident and who may be able to assist us in identifying the suspects.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Police seek witnesses to Granton motor bike incident

‘What it does, sadly, is highlight the risks faced by those who choose to ride stolen motorbikes’ – Chief Supt. Mark Williams

Police are appealing for information following a serious road traffic collision on West Shore Road last night. A fourteen year old boy is in a serious condition in hospital following the incident.

The incident occurred at around 11.20pm, when a BMW 1150cc motorcycle struck a wall. The rider, a 14-year-old boy, was thrown from the vehicle and subsequently landed on nearby rocks.

Police and emergency services attended and the Scottish Ambulance Service took the boy to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, where his condition is described as ‘serious’.

The motorcycle is understood to have been stolen.

Officers investigating the incident are now appealing for any witnesses to come forward.

Chief Superintendent Mark Williams said: “This was a terrible incident that has left a local boy badly injured. Thankfully it wasn’t more serious as the consequences could have been fatal.

“What it does sadly, is highlight the risks faced by those who choose to ride stolen motorbikes and it demonstrates the impact this can have on both the individual, their families and the community.

“We are appealing for anyone with information regarding this incident to contact us immediately.

“In unqualified hands motorbikes are extremely dangerous and tackling the theft of motorbikes and vehicles will continue to be a focus for local officers.”

Police Scotland launch annual Festival safety campaign

Love it or loathe it, you just can’t ignore it … yes, it’s Festival time in Edinburgh, and Police Scotland have launched their annual safety campaign

LAUNCH OF FESTIVAL POLICING OPERATION

We have today launched our annual campaign to keep people safe during the Festival.

In the coming weeks, hundreds of thousands of visitors are set to join the Capital’s local residents to enjoy a month of artistic performances and events, culminating in the fireworks display at the end of August.

To ensure the Festival is a secure and welcoming environment for tourists and locals alike, police will have a high-visibility presence throughout the city centre to offer a range of useful advice aimed at preventing the public being targeted by criminals.

All of this information will be available on the Police Scotland website or by following Edinburgh Division’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

Chief Superintendent Mark Williams, Divisional Commander for the City of Edinburgh said: “The Edinburgh Festival is a fantastic spectacle and results in worldwide attention for the city. We will be doing everything we can to prevent crime happening in the first place and I would appeal to the public to help us in that effort.

“By taking a number of simple steps, visitors and locals can ensure their experience of the Festival is memorable for all the right reasons.

“Remember to always keep an eye on your valuables when you’re out enjoying the sights and events within Edinburgh and never leave any belongings unattended. If you are enjoying the nightlife then please make sure you drink responsibly and have a plan to get home.

“This year, for the first time, we have helpful advice for tourists and visitors on-line that they can access before they arrive in the city, so that they can equip themselves with all the information they need to safeguard themselves against opportunistic criminals.

“I would ask that anyone planning on visiting Edinburgh in the coming weeks to visit our tourist and visitors advice page on the Police Scotland website.”

Community Safety Leader, Councillor Cammy Day, said: “Our environmental wardens will be working closely with Police Scotland in the city centre over the Festival period to help keep people safe and offer reassurance through a high visibility presence. I would encourage people to do their bit too, by acting responsibly and taking time to look at the latest safety advice.

“Edinburgh is a safe city and we want to maintain this, ensuring that visitors enjoying the Festival have the best possible experience of the city.”

Police seek witnesses following Cramond assaults

Police are appealing for witnesses after two teenage girls were indecently assaulted last week. The incident happened around 5pm on Friday 3 July at the Cramond Waterfall.

Both of the 13-year-old victims had been in the area when a male approached and assaulted the pair before walking off towards Cramond Beach.

The girls then reported the matter to police, who had been following a positive line of investigation but are now asking for the public’s assistance to help trace the suspect.

He is described as being potentially of Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi ethnicity, around 25-years-old with a large build, short dark hair and a full beard. He was wearing a white polo shirt, black dress trousers and black shoes.

Detective Sergeant David Brady from Edinburgh’s Public Protection Unit said: “This was a distressing experience for the young girls and we have been pursuing various lines of investigation over the past week to identify the suspect.

“However, we have so far been unable to establish who he is and I am keen to hear from anyone with information that can assist with our inquiry. In particular, we would like to speak with anyone who was walking between the Cramond Waterfall and Cramond Beach last Friday evening and may have seen this male.

“Similarly, anyone with any further information in relation to these assaults is also asked to come forward.”

Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

More arrests following local crime spree

Operation RAC: Crime crackdown continues

Police have arrested and charged a 25-year-old local man following a number of thefts and housebreakings in north Edinburgh. The arrest follows the arrest of two others in connection with drugs offences in West Pilton earlier this week.

On Wednesday, officers executed a search warrant at a property on Ferry Road Drive following intelligence received from the public. Various stolen items were recovered and officers are currently conducting enquiries to reunite the stolen goods with their rightful owners.

The man was subsequently arrested and charged for housebreakings to business premises on Queensferry Road, Cheyne Street and Raeburn Place as well as an attempted break-in on Dean Street.

He was also charged in connection with the recovery of an abandoned Mercedes C-Class, which had previously been stolen alongside another vehicle from an address on Prospect Bank Road, and used in several business housebreakings in the Capital.

Superintendent Alan Porte said: “This arrest should reinforce that we will we act on any intelligence we receive and will pursue all possible lines of enquiry to bring perpetrators of housebreaking and vehicle crime to justice.

“The public can be assured that any information given to us will be treated with the utmost confidence, and used to keep our communities safe for everyone.”

The latest breakthrough follows the arrest of two men who were arrested under the Misuse of Drugs Act earlier this week, following the discovery of a significant quantity of Class B drugs in West Pilton.

Drugs Team officers executed search warrants at flats in West Pilton Drive and West Pilton Loan, where they found cannabis with a potential street value of approximately £90,000.

A total of 128 mature cannabis plants were found at a home on West Pilton Drive along with a further 15 vacuum sealed bags each containing 1oz of herbal cannabis and six 250g bags of herbal cannabis worth a potential street value of approximately £55,000. A 30-year-old has been reported to the Procurator Fiscal in connection with this incident and will appear in court at a later date.

Police Scotland officers also recovered 51 mature cannabis plants and 32 seedlings at an address on West Pilton Loan with a potential street value of approximately £35,000. A 20-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday and a report has been sent to the Procurator Fiscal.

Detective Inspector Stuart Harkness from the Gayfield CID Proactive Unit said “These searches removed a significant amount of illegal drugs from our streets and highlights that Police Scotland continues to tackle those involved in organised crime within the city.

“We will continue with a robust approach to tackle crime in the communities we police and I would appeal for the public to provide us with the information we need to disrupt those involved in criminality. This information may be provided to your community officers, through contacting police on 101 or alternatively in anonymity by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Anyone with information can contact Police Scotland on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Leith pensioner attacked and robbed in his home

An 80-year-old man has been assaulted and robbed in his home in Leith. The attacker forced his way into the pensioner’s home in Buchanan Street at about 9:20 on Saturday morning.

Police Scotland said the attacker then assaulted his victim before stealing a sum of cash and making off.

The robber is described as a white male in his 30s, about 5ft 6in tall with a medium build and short brown hair.

Police have appealed for witnesses. Detective Inspector John Kavanagh said: “This was a distressing incident for the victim. We are eager to trace this suspect as a matter of urgency.

“Anyone who saw a male matching the suspect description in the Buchanan Street area yesterday, or has any other relevant information, is asked to contact police immediately.”

Wardieburn assaults: man to appear in court today

A 31-year old man has been charged with serious assault following a disturbance in Wardieburn that left three people in hospital. He is expected to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court later today.

Two men and one woman were taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary after the incident in Wardieburn Street East at 4.50am on Wednesday, which saw police cordon off the area. The men were later released but the female victim remained in hospital yesterday afternoon.

Two men were initially detained in connection with the Wardieburn incident, which is understood to have involved a knife. Police have confirmed that they are ‘not looking for any other persons in relation to this incident’.

Chain reaction: Community rallies to support Forthview following bike thefts

Mackenzies serves up support for school hit by robbery

The Forthview Primary School community was devastated when their storage shed was broken into over a holiday weekend in May. Thieves stole bikes which had been borrowed to help teach pupils cycling proficiency, leaving the school facing a potential bill of one thousand pounds it could ill-afford to pay.

Forthview’s Tracey Berry said at the time: “Bikes that we had borrowed, so that Bill Stobie could teach bike ability to P6, have been stolen, along with footballs and gardening equipment. We are responsible for the bikes: it will cost us about £1000 to replace the them!

“Our fundraising is meant to be for outings and activities for Forthview children, not replacing things that thoughtless people have stolen. If you find one please hand it to the school – the more we find, the less money we have to pay out from the school funds.”

An appeal went out to trace the stolen bikes (see NEN blog ‘Forthview break-in: can you help trace bikes?, 11 May) – and the community response has been nothing short of remarkable!

Forthview head teacher Eileen Littlewood said: “Not only have parents, grandparents and their friends rallied to make donations for us, but a fairly new restaurant in Davidson’s Mains contacted us when they heard about the theft. They are very eager to support the community in any way they can and they offered to hold a fundraising night where staff and other people could come and enjoy a taster menu with wine for £30 a head.

“Staff who went along had a wonderful evening and the food was delicious. We enjoyed 8 courses and half a bottle of wine each. The cuisine was superb and at the end of the evening, Grant and Jamie who are the partners in the business gave us every penny back – £550!

“They did not even want to cover the costs of the food. We have been overwhelmed by their generosity. As one staff member said: ‘what a fundraiser – we made a lot of money, had a brilliant meal and wine as well!’The business in question is Mackenzies Restaurant and Bar in Davidson’s Mains, which opened under new management at the end of April. Mine hosts Grant and Jamie are local lads- from Granton and Wardieburn – and together with Grant’s partner Trisha pledged to help a local school in need.

The Mackenzies team’s tremendous support is greatly appreciated by all at Forthview – and they may just find that their generosity is reciprocated by a grateful community. Well done, Mackenzies!

PS: And the icing on the cake – a number of the missing bikes have been recovered too!

Police seek four following Trinity attack

Police are appealing for witnesses following a serious assault on two people on Laverockbank Road. Four people, one of whom is a woman, are being sought following the attack.

The incident happened at around 1am on Sunday 31 May, when the two victims and four suspects left a business premises separately.

The first suspect assaulted the 34-year-old male victim, and the 28-year-old female victim was assaulted when she tried to intervene. The other suspects then joined the attack and the female victim was knocked unconscious.

Both victims sustained facial injuries, which were subsequently found to be more serious than first thought. Police attended at the time of the incident, and officers have conducted various enquiries in an effort to trace the suspects.

The first suspect is described as a white man in his 30s, 5ft 10inches tall with a medium build. He had a shaved head and a heart tattoo with a keyhole on his right forearm.

The second suspect is described a white man in his 30s, 5ft 11inches tall with a heavy build. He had short dark hair and was wearing a dark jacket.

The third suspect was a white man in his 40s, 5ft 10inches tall with a slim build. He was wearing a light-coloured shirt.

The fourth suspect is described as a white woman, 5ft 6inches tall, with a medium build. She had long dark hair and was wearing a black jacket.

Detective Sergeant Clark Martin said: “This was a seemingly unprovoked and brutal attack and we are eager to trace anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or has any information which can help with our enquiries.

“We’re also eager to speak to a taxi driver seen in the area at the time of the assault, who may be able to help with our investigations.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Youth Forum focuses on crime in Forth

North Edinburgh Young People’s Forum launched the third edition of their The Matter? newspaper at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre last night. It was an opportunity to catch up with what the group has been doing and their plans for the future.

The latest issue focuses on young people’s perception of crime in the Forth ward. Late last year NEYPF contacted over 150 young people across the area to find out what they thought about crime in their neighbourhood.

The conclusions? NEYPF is calling for more police patrols in the area and an improved working relationship between police and young people. There’s also a call for improved CCTV and better street lighting

The group’s findings were presented to the Scottish Government at a National Discussion Day event in April and NEYPF’s input will help to influence the Building Safer Communities programme.Stolen motorcycles and joyriding remain a big issue and the group announced exciting new plans to develop a community repairs workshop and garage. This project would encourage young people to gain new skills and qualifications.

NEYPF members have also recently undergone peer educator trainign and plan to create a peer education programme based around community perceptions of crime.

First up, though, it’s an invitation from local Inspector David Happs to visit to Drylaw Police Station and meet the local officers there, and also an opportunity to share their findings with #StrongerNorth’s Gold Team.

For further info contact NEYPF@hotmail.co.uk

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Twitter: @NEYPF