Riding off-road bikes illegally in public green spaces can cause serious injury to other people.
Know who’s riding an off-road bike in parks or recreation grounds? You can tell independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously about who’s involved and where it happens.
You can also get more info on how you can report to local partners and where you can legally and safely ride an off-road vehicle.
Speak up directly to us on 101 or visit our partner website https://orlo.uk/oryx2
Crimestoppers Scotland is today (Wednesday 9 July 2025) spotlighting how the charity can empower people to speak out against domestic violence.
As part of the month-long national campaign -an initiative dedicated to tackling domestic abuse and violence against women and girls (VAWG) across Scotland – the charity is urging the public to come forward with vital information.
This campaign will specifically target males aged 18 and above, with a focus on reaching those attending sporting events across Scotland. By raising awareness and encouraging reporting, Crimestoppers aims to confront this critical issue—one that continues to devastate communities nationwide.
Domestic abuse can take many forms—physical, psychological, emotional, sexual, or financial. Often, neighbours, family, and friends may suspect abuse but hesitate to intervene due to embarrassment, split loyalties, or fear of revenge.
Crimestoppers in Scotland has shared nearly 400 anonymous reports about domestic abuse with police and partners, and 350 reports concerning rape and sexual offences from April 2024 to March 2025.
These figures highlight the urgent need for collective action.
Angela Parker, National Manager Crimestoppers Scotland, said: “Domestic abuse and violence against women and girls is a serious issue that affects far too many people in Scotland. We hope to empower more people—especially men—to speak out and play a part in ending this violence.
“If you suspect domestic abuse, don’t stay silent. Your voice could be the key to protecting someone from harm. Speak out anonymously—because everyone deserves safety and support.”
Please note: With Crimestoppers-uk.org and Fearless.org, computer IP addresses are never traced and no-one will ever know you contacted them. For telephone calls to Crimestoppers via 0800 555 111, there is no caller line display, no 1471 facility and calls have never been traced.
The charity Crimestoppers Scotland has launched a new campaign appealing for information about the dangerous and illegal use of off-road motorbikes and other mechanically propelled bikes across Scotland.
There has been rising concerns and reports from communities across Scotland over the illegal use of off-road bikes and other mechanically propelled bikes including mopeds, e-bikes and e-scooters.
Complaints often centre around off-road bikes becoming a threat to the public as the bikes are ridden recklessly in residential areas, town centres, on pavements and in green spaces – with no concern from the riders for their own safety or that of the public.
Crimestoppers spoke to people in Scotland who has been directly affected by dangerous and illegal use of off-road bikes:
Angela Parker, National Manager, Crimestoppers Scotland, said: “We heard from many people who felt scared and threatened by the increased use of illegal off-road bikes. This illegal activity also damages the environment and heritage, taking years to recovers and costing thousands to repair.
“Our campaign aims to support communities in reporting anonymously to our charity and providing information on where people can safely and legally enjoy riding their bike.”
Victims and Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown, said: “I’m pleased to support this important campaign.
“Using off-road vehicles illegally is dangerous, anti-social and can cause huge disruption to residents in local communities as well as causing damage to parks, playing fields and the natural environment.
Crimestoppers enables individuals to report crime anonymously and these reports help the police to tackle this crime. Together, we can make a real difference.”
Councillor Stephen McCabe, leader of Inverclyde Council, said: “These bikes are causing untold damage and misery in our community, damaging public and private property and leaving residents feeling scared and intimidated, which is simply unacceptable.
“Areas like Grieve Road have been particularly affected by the rise in off-road bikes and the course at Whinhill Golf Club, which the council owns, has also been damaged so there is a cost to the taxpayers to repair the fairways and greens, not to mention the inconvenience caused for golfers and staff.
“As with most things, the authorities need the help of the public to tackle this problem by reporting illegal and anti-social activity and Crimestoppers is a way in which people can do that and do it completely anonymously.”
Useful information includes:
If you own or ride an off-road bike or other mechanically propelled bike, (that includes e-bikes and e-scooters), you must ensure that you comply with UK law. Our campaign webpage gives useful information on all manner of bikes.
To pass on information about the illegal use of off-road bikes completely anonymously, visit the Crimestoppers website (Crimestoppers-uk.org). You can fill in a safe and secure form or you can call the 24/7 UK-based Contact Centre on 0800 555 111. Young people can also report crime via the charity’s youth service website Fearless.org.
Please note: With Crimestoppers-uk.org and Fearless.org, computer IP addresses are never traced and no-one will ever know you contacted them.
For telephone calls to Crimestoppers via 0800 555 111, there is no caller line display, no 1471 facility and calls have never been traced.
Edinburgh residents are being urged to help shut down supplies of illegal vapes across the region. The Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) has issued a plea for people who use vaping products not to buy from illicit sellers.
And the city-headquartered convenience store trade body, which represents retailers in Edinburgh and throughout the Lothians, is urging people to share details of those who they suspect are selling goods illegally to pass on concerns to trading standards, police or anonymously via Crimestoppers.
Single-use vapes became outlawed across the United Kingdom on June 1. All stock needed to be immediately removed from shop shelves.
SGF President Graham Watson, himself a community convenience store owner, said: “As an organisation, we have significant concerns that an unintended consequence of the ban will be an increase in the illegal sale of vaping products.
“It is harmful in so many ways for illegal and unregulated products to be circulating.
“Our members work incredibly hard to champion responsible community retailing, within the law. Illicit supplies undermine the great work they do.
“With all of that in mind, we are asking people not to buy from illicit sellers and to share any information they have with those responsible for them to the authorities. If they do not have the information, they cannot act against them.”
SGF has issued a special guide to advise its members how to stay on the right side of the new law.
It also encourages members to follow Challenge 25 policies to avoid the risk of illegal sales. The guidance to retailers from SGF is available here.
Information about illicit trade can be passed to Police Scotland by calling 101. Details can be shared anonymously with Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Following recent enforcement action in the West Pilton and Crewe areas, officers have been carrying out patrols and a letter drop with information on how to contact us or CrimeStoppers.
Tackling crime is a joint effort and relies on the support and confidence of the communities we work with day-in, day-out.
If you have concerns about something in your community, speak to officers or you can log it on the CrimeStoppers website completely anonymously at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
There are bike thieves about. Make sure you ALWAYS secure your pedal cycle using the following guidance:
o Register your bicycle securely with https://orlo.uk/ukE4y it may help to recover it if stolen.
o Consider the use of a bike GPS tracker.
o Photograph and record all your bike’s details and distinguishing features. The serial number is generally located on the bottom bracket.
o If using social media, make your profile private.
o Never leave your bike unattended at popular riding destinations.
o Do not leave bikes unattended on vehicle bike racks, especially overnight.
o Consider anti-grinder bicycle locks
Help stop young people in Scotland being exploited by criminal gangs.
County Line gangs are using violence and intimidation to recruit young people into drug networks.
Know the signs of exploitation:
• Change in behaviour
• Signs of assault and/or malnutrition
• Access to numerous phones
• Use of unusual terms e.g. ‘going country’
• Associating with gangs
• Unexplained bus or train tickets
• School truancy or going missing
• Unexplained gifts e.g. clothing, trainers, cash
Police Scotland’s criminal investigations into Bonfire Night disorder began yesterday, with detectives across the country following positive lines of inquiry to identify those responsible.
Certain areas of Scotland experienced significant levels of disorder, with the Niddrie, Calder Road, Gracemount and Moredun areas of Edinburgh and the Pollokshields area of Glasgow being the most adversely affected.
In each of these regions, local policing teams and other emergency services required the assistance of Operation Moonbeam assets to tackle violence and damage being caused by large groups of youths who threw fireworks and other projectiles at officers, vehicles and public property. Fires were also set in some of these areas, causing fear and alarm to the local communities.
Other isolated incidents involving the reckless or criminal use of fireworks were also reported in various parts of both cities, including a report of 21 cars being damaged by fireworks at a car dealership in Calder Road, Edinburgh.
In Glasgow, officers and colleagues from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service had to respond to large number of unauthorised bonfires being lit and were met with large groups of hostile youths upon their attendance.
All of these offences continue to be investigated.
Between Thursday, 31 October and Wednesday, 6 November, a total of 19 arrests have been made throughout Scotland in connection with firework offences. Six people have been charged under the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles Act, while a further 26 charges have been brought against individuals for associated criminality. Further arrests are expected in the coming days.
A Major Incident Public Portal has also been established, allowing communities to share video and photo evidence of Bonfire Night offences taking place in their area. Anyone with footage that can assist officers in identifying people involved in fireworks-related crime can submit it to:
https://mipp.police.uk/operation/SCOT24S16-PO1.
Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs, Gold Commander for Operation Moonbeam, said: “Now that our Bonfire Night deployments have stood down, our investigation teams will begin reviewing all the evidence we obtained through Body Worn Video, Air Support Unit footage and statements from the public.
“This will help us establish the identities of those who chose to cause harm within our communities and who sought to attack and injure emergency service workers.
“While I am encouraged that we didn’t see the same levels of serious disorder, when compared to last year, I am under no illusion that that actions of a minority of individuals still had a significant and detrimental impact on various communities across Scotland.
“Their actions will not be tolerated, and detectives are working tirelessly to make arrests and ensure all of those involved in the offences we witnessed are brought to account.”
Chief Superintendent David Robertson, Divisional Commander for Edinburgh, added: “I made it clear following the incidents that occurred during the evening of Halloween that we’d leave no stone unturned as part of our investigations and I am reaffirming that statement today.
“Law-abiding members of the public living in Niddrie, Calder Road, Gracemount and Moredun were left terrified as serious disorder took place in their communities and vital bus services that allow safe travel across our city were violently attacked, which is entirely unacceptable.
“I am enormously grateful and immensely proud of all of the officers and staff who contributed to Operation Moonbeam. Colleagues worked tirelessly behind the scenes and on the front line, putting themselves in harm’s way to restore order and return these areas to a state of normality as quickly as possible, but the work begins now in terms of identifying and arresting everyone responsible.
“If members of the public have information or evidence that can help with our inquiries then please contact us immediately.”
Chief Superintendent Lynn Ratcliff, Divisional Commander for Greater Glasgow Division, said: “The overwhelming majority of those within Glasgow chose to enjoy Bonfire Night in the proper spirit. However, groups of young people, motivated to cause the maximum amount of fear and alarm carried out targeted disorder in certain parts of the city.
“This put not only local residents at risk, but meant police officers, fire service personnel and ambulance crews were in danger of being injured, as they responded to protect communities. Thankfully, however, no injuries were reported.
“Detectives across Glasgow are reviewing all evidence they obtained during Bonfire Night, and working with the public to gather more information, which will help bring these offenders to justice.
“If you believe you can assist with our ongoing inquiries then please get in touch.”
There were also six reported attacks on crews within three hours, however no injuries have been reported.
Two attacks took place in Clydebank, two in Glasgow, one in Edinburgh and one in Blackridge, West Lothian.
Initial figures indicate that crews responded to approximately 347 bonfires across the country between 3.30pm and 11.30pm on Tuesday, 5 November.
In the run up to the event, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) had appealed to the public to be aware of the dangers of both fireworks and unsafe bonfires with a message to consider the impact of their actions on communities and emergency services.
Andy Watt, Deputy Chief Officer for SFRS said: “I would like to pay tribute to the professionalism and resilience of our frontline crews.
“Operations Control firefighters answered over 1,000 calls tonight and have once again worked tirelessly to ensure we respond to those who need us the most.
“Unfortunately, several of our crews came under attack across Scotland, with six attacks within three hours. Crews were bombarded with missiles and fireworks while responding to emergency incidents.
“These attacks prevent our crews from bringing any emergency to a safe and swift conclusion, and can impact on our emergency service colleagues – including the police when they must escort us at the scene.
“This type of behaviour is, of course, carried out by a very small minority and we once again thank our communities for their continuing support and working together with us to stay safe across the Bonfire period.”
Enhanced patrols and resources have been deployed across this weekend as 5 November draws nearer, with Firework Control Zones and Dispersal Orders available to officers in order to manage any potential issues.
Chief Superintendent David Robertson, commander for Edinburgh division, said; “Enquiries are continuing following disorder in the capital on Thursday, 31 October, and efforts are underway to identify those responsible for carrying out several violent attacks on buses and police officers during that evening. A police officer was injured when the window of the vehicle she was in was hit by a brick, causing the window to smash.
“As a result of these investigations, a 17-year-old male has been arrested and charged in connection with the disorder in the Hay Avenue and Niddrie Mains Road area of Edinburgh.
“We also continue to appeal to the public to come forward with any information about any disorder which has already taken place, or which they may be aware of being planned for the coming days. This can be passed to our officers via 101 or 999 in the event of an emergency.”
Emergency Service workers will be exceptionally busy over the next week as we work together to combat issues that can arise from the misuse of fireworks and illegally lit bonfires.
As we have already seen, workers will be verbally and physically injured as a result of this.
Crimestoppers are running a campaign across Scotland that aims to help prevent deliberate fires and Bonfire Night attacks on Scotland’s Police, Fire and rescue, and Ambulance services during fireworks season.
If you have any information on the misuse of fireworks or any planned disorder, please report anonymously via Crimestoppers and do your bit by keeping your community safe.
