Man faces court following crime spree across Lothians and Borders

A 26-year-old man has been arrested and charged following an extensive investigation into a series of housebreakings and thefts across the Lothians and Borders.

The incidents took place in Tranent, Prestonpans, Galashiels, Selkirk, Livingston, Gorebridge and Stow, between Friday, 6 September and Thursday, 10 October, 2024.

The man has been charged in connection with a number of offences, including 13 housebreakings, four attempted housebreakings and five vehicle thefts.

He is expected to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today – Tuesday, 22 October, 2024. Further enquiries remain ongoing.

Detective Inspector Debbie Duncan said: “Crimes of this nature have a serious impact on the victims, causing them to question the safety and security of their own homes, and I would like to commend the work of the officers investigating this crime series.

“I would also like to thank the various local communities for their assistance with our enquiries to date and reassure the public that any reports of criminality will be investigated thoroughly by Police Scotland.”

Barnton burglaries: arrested man to appear in court

A 31-year-old man has been charged with six offences related to housebreakings and theft.

Officers responded to a call from a member of the public in the Barnton area during the early hours of Tuesday morning (18 January) regarding suspicious activity.

Officers attended and arrested the man nearby. The charges relate to offences which took place between 15 and 18 January 2022.

The man will appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court at a later date.

Appeal after a series of robberies and housebreakings in Edinburgh

Police in Edinburgh are appealing for information following a series of robberies and housebreakings which are believed to be linked.

These include a robbery within a property at Ferniehill Grove around 7.55pm on Sunday, 28 February.

Five unidentified men forced entry to the property, stealing personal items and electronic equipment. All of the men are described as being 25 to 30-years-old.

One is descried as being 6ft tall and of a heavy build. He was wearing a dark blue ski mask, dark blue Reebok hooded top and black/grey trousers.

Another man is described as being 5ft 8in tall and wearing a red ski mask with light bits, a dark hoody and tracksuit bottoms.

The remaining three men are described as being of skinny build and wearing a dark blue ski mask and dark clothing.

They are believed to have made off from the address in a grey or silver Vauxhall Insignia car.

The incident is being treated as having potential links to two recent incidents in the city. The first happened around 3.30pm on Sunday, 21 February where a report was received of three suspects, all wearing dark clothing and ski masks, forcing entry to an address on Saughton Road. They made off in what was described as a blue Vauxhall saloon car.

The other incident happened around 5pm on Wednesday, 24 February on Sinclair Place, Gorgie, where two suspects wearing dark clothing and face masks were disturbed while attempting to force entry to a property on Sinclair Place.

Detective Inspector Kevin Tait of Edinburgh Division CID said: “Our enquiries into each of these incidents are ongoing and, while we are keeping an open mind, we believe they are potentially linked.

“We would urge anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity to get in touch with us, particularly if you have seen a grey, silver or blue Vauxhall saloon car acting suspiciously in the areas. We would also be keen to speak to anyone who may have dashcam or private CCTV footage.

“Anyone with information can call 101, quoting incident 3519 of 28 February or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”