Tag: lothian and borders police

Edinburgh’s First Female Police Driver Returns for Tour of Her Old Beat

A trailblazing woman, who was Edinburgh’s first ever female police driver, was welcomed back to her old beat on Friday (29 September), 70-years on from beginning her career.

Mary d’Arcy Kincaid, 91, broke gender barriers when she applied to become a trained police driver in 1956, having seen an advert encouraging officers to apply.

The advert had been intended to attract male applicants, but as no gender had been stated, Mary applied and following discussion with the Chief Inspector, she was accepted onto the course.

Mary would then go on to be one of four women from Scotland to take up a 12-month secondment opportunity in Cyprus in 1957 where she would help with the recruitment and training of female Cypriot officers, work within the control room and assist with the searching of women stopped at roadblocks. During this time she was promoted to Sergeant.

Upon her return to Edinburgh in 1958, she went back to working in the Southside before joining CID in 1960. In 1961, she was one of two women and four men selected to form the city’s Crime Team.

After leaving policing, Mary would later serve as a Magistrate in Westminster and now lives in Gloucestershire with her husband of 53 years.

Speaking of her time in uniform, Mary said: “I was so excited when I sat my entrance exams and passed, and so began my City of Edinburgh Police journey.  When the memo circulated inviting applications for police drivers, I thought, why not – after all, they had not specified male or female Constables, so took my chance. 

“I loved driving, and knew I could do it well, as part of my role.  Despite some reluctance from some colleagues, I couldn’t believe it when I was invited to go for my driver training.

“I passed with flying colours, and so my driving as a Police Constable began.  This really meant that I no longer needed a male Police Constable to drive me to a job, take a bus, or walk – I could drive one of the many CID vehicles.”

Senior officers, including Assistant Chief Constable Emma Bond, were in attendance at St Leonards Police Station to greet Mary and her family before taking her on a tour of her former beat.

Assistant Chief Constable Emma Bond paid tribute to the former officer for leading change for women in policing.

ACC Bond said: “Welcoming Mary and listening to her experiences and perspective was a real pleasure.

“Much has changed to improve the representation of women in all ranks and roles in policing over the course of the last few decades thanks to inspirational figures like Mary, quite literally, driving progress.

“Police Scotland is absolutely determined to continue to build on the progress led by trailblazers like Mary, to address sexism and discrimination in policing and across society and improve experiences for our officers and staff and the people who we serve,”

Local canine theft spate is shaggy dog story!

dog

Local Police have moved to reassure the public over a reported spate of dog thefts in the area.

Stories have spread on social media that dog owners are being targeted and robbed of their pets, but police say these rumours are unfounded and have ‘little basis in fact’ .

Police have investigated the number of such thefts that have taken place across the Force area since the start of the year, and enquiries have confirmed just three reports of dog theft this year.

Two of the stolen dogs have been reunited with their owners, while enquiries are ongoing in the other incident where a dog that was stolen at Marine Drive on February 5.  Police hope to trace the stolen animal and reunite it with its owner.

Sergeant Derek Duff said: “Over the past few weeks we have become aware of rumours of a spate of dog thefts in the west of the Capital, centred around the area covering Muirhouse, Silverknowes, and Cramond. These rumours have caused alarm to dog owners in the area, and we are taking this opportunity to reassure people that the rumours have little basis in fact.

“There have only been three reported dog thefts in the Force area since the start of the year, and almost all of the dogs have eventually been reunited with their owners, with the exception of one. We take any reports of dog theft extremely seriously, and we will carry out a full and thorough investigation when any such complaint is made.”

dog2

Police offer security advice to local businesses

breakin

Police in North Edinburgh are offering free crime prevention surveys to businesses in the area.

Officers from the Safer Neighbourhoods Team at Drylaw Police Station will be delivering letters to businesses and offering security surveys to highlight additional measures that can be taken to maximise security, following a spate of night-time break-ins which have occurred since Christmas.

Five men have been arrested and charged in relation to separate alleged break-ins in the last three weeks and additional police resources have been patrolling the area during the night to check premises. Despite this, thieves have continued to target businesses and on occasions returned to several premises that have broken into previously.

In an effort to raise awareness, the police have also alerted other night-time private security staff and council workers to encourage them to immediately report any suspicious or unusual activity when they are working in the area.

Inspector Mark Rennie of Drylaw Police Station said: “It’s really important that businesses review the robustness of the security measures they have in place and ensure all equipment is working. We hope that by offering free surveys and highlighting appropriate measures to take, businesses will do everything they can to make themselves a hard target.

“We’ve informed a lot of local people of the issue but worryingly we haven’t always had calls from residents when noises have been heard emanating from premises during the night. I’d like to encourage people to phone us immediately so that we get officers there quickly.”

Anyone with any information should contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

DrylawPolice

Male held after 73 year old mugged

Police have confirmed  a male has been arrested in connection with the mugging of a 73 year old woman in Drylaw thins morning. The incident happened near the entrance to Rowanfield School on Groathill Loan. Its believed the male pushed the woman over before running off with her handbag towards Telford Road.

The attack took place at Rowanfield School
The attack took place at Rowanfield School

Police used sniffer dogs to search for the suspect and its understood he was caught nearby on Groathill Road North.

Local Councillor Gavin Barrie said “This type of outrageous attack is unacceptable on any age of person but to mug a lady of this age is disgusting in the extreme, I look forward to hearing that the full weight of the legal system is brought to bear on them.’

The NEN understands the 73 year old victim is a dinner lady at the school.

Stay safe advice for festive revellers

Revellers visiting Edinburgh city centre this weekend are being urged to make plans to ensure they get home safely at the end of their evening. With the Christmas party season now well underway, police expect there to be a high number of people visiting the city centre for a night out with work colleagues and friends.

As part of Operation Astrodome (the Lothian and Borders Police response to the festive season in Edinburgh) officers will be carrying out additional high-visibility patrols in order to provide reassurance to the public, and deal with any criminal behaviour.

Inspector Gill Geany, from Lothian and Borders Police, said: “Edinburgh city centre is a great place to visit for a night out, and we are keen that people enjoy themselves over the festive season. We would urge revellers to drink sensibly, and to consider what steps they can take to ensure they get home safely at the end of the night.

“It is advisable for people to ensure their mobile phone is fully charged before they go out, and if for any reason you lose your mobile, then you should keep a list of emergency numbers and some spare change if you need to make a call. I would also urge people to remain in the company of their friends, and if possible, to make arrangements to travel home together at the end of the night.

“Late night buses are available and there are a number of taxi ranks in operation throughout the city, staffed by taxi marshals from City of Edinburgh Council. Lothian and Borders Police and the Council have worked together to produce totem posters that have been erected in the city centre, showing the locations of late night bus stops and taxi ranks.

“I would urge people to make use of these transport options, and to plan ahead to ensure they get home safely. Our personal safety pocket guide – Good Nights Out, Get Home Safely– is available to download on the Lothian and Borders Police website, and I would recommend that people take advantage of the advice available.”

Police

Dundas Street death: appeal for information

Lothian and Borders Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses following a fatal collision in Dundas Street in the early hours of Saturday morning (December 8).

Forty-three-year-old Edinburgh man Gavin Fulton (pictured) died after being injured in the collision as he walked along the pavement in Dundas Street around 1.20am.

Gavin is described by his friends and family as “one of life’s really good guys”. His father, Bill Fulton, said: “Gavin lived for his family, he was much loved and we will all miss him very much.”

His wife, Jill Fulton, said: “Gavin and I taught our children to be road wise and stay on the pavements where they are safe. Mia, Faye and I along with Gavin’s family are devastated that he was not safe on the pavement. We have lost the most amazing husband, father, son and brother.”

A 50-year-old man has been charged and is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today (December 10) in connection with the incident.

Officers are particularly keen to trace a man who was wearing a mustard-coloured jacket or shirt who was seen in the area around the time of the collision.

Anyone with any information should contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or alternatively the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

gavinfulton250[1]

 

Woman dies in road accident outside Western

hospAn 81-year-old woman has died after being hit by a car as she crossed Porterfield Road outside the Western General Hospital yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon. The woman was treated at the scene, but died from her injuries.

The driver of the vehicle assisted police with their inquiries at the scene, and police are seeking witnesses to the accident, which happened at around 4pm.

A Lothian and Borders Police spokesman said: “We are keen to speak with anyone who witnessed the collision, which happened close to the Anne Ferguson Building.”

If you have any information please call Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131.

Police drop-in sessions at Millennium Centre

Officers from Drylaw’s Safer Neighbourhood Team are to hold regular Police drop-in sessions at Muirhouse Millennium Centre. 

PC Sharon Carr said: “The first two sessions are Wednesday 5th and 19th December from 11am – 2pm, and in the New Year the January dates are Wednesday 9th and 23rd, again from 11am – 2pm. It’s an opportunity for local people to pop in and chat about any policing issues or concerns they may have in an informal setting.”

For further information contact Drylaw Safer Neighbourhood Team on 0131 311 3131.

Boy attacked by gang in Ferry Road Place

A twelve year old boy was attacked a gang of youths in West Pilton last night. The boy was walking in Ferry Road Place at around 7pm when he was approached by six or seven youths and assaulted. The boy managed to make it to a local shop and was taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, where he was treated for injuris to his face and body before being discharged.

The attackers are descibed only as being male, white and wearing hooded tops, but despite that general description police are hopeful that members of the public will come forward with information.

Safer Neighbourhood Team Sergeant David Happs said: “This was an unprovoked assault on a young boy and a terrifying experience for him. Fortunately he was able to flee his attackers and sought assistance at a nearby shop. We are conducting various lines of local enquiries to identify those responsible and will have a high-visibility police presence in the area to offer reassurance to the local community. Anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious in the area on Monday evening is asked to contact police immediately.”

Those with information can contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or the charity Crimestoppers in complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.

Disabled man assaulted and robbed in his Broughton Road home

Lothian and Borders Police are appealing for witnesses after a disabled man was assaulted and robbed at his home in Broughton Road. The incident happened at around 12.50pm on Thursday (15 November). 

The 39-year-old, who is blind and requires the use of crutches and a wheelchair, received a knock at his door and went to answer. When he opened the door a male forced his way in and presented a sharp object before robbing the man of his possessions. A struggle ensued during which time the victim suffered a cut to his face and was knocked to the ground before the male made off from the property.

Police are now keen to speak with anyone who can assist with their enquiries.

The suspect is described as being around 5ft 10ins tall with a slim build. He had a local accent, is believed to be in his mid twenties or early thirties and smelled strongly of stale body odour, smoke and alcohol.

Detective Sergeant Dave Pinkney said: “This was a despicable and opportunistic theft, which targeted a vulnerable man who was virtually unable to defend himself. Despite his visual impairment, the victim has provided us with a fairly detailed description of the suspect and we are carrying out enquiries within the local community to identify him. Anyone who was in the Broughton Road area on Wednesday afternoon and remembers seeing anything suspicious, or who can help us trace the man responsible for this crime is asked to contact police immediately.”

Those with information can contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131

or the charity Crimestoppers in complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.