Lothian and Borders Police are warning the public to remain vigilant for an ongoing scam after a local woman was defrauded.
The 42-year-old woman was in her Telford Drive home on Wednesday 28 March when she received a call from someone claiming to be from a PPI claims company. During the call, the woman was advised that she was eligible for a PPI refund and was instructed to pay a three-figure sum of money via UKASH vouchers, which she did. However, the victim never received any form of refund and detectives are now urging others to be wary of also falling victim to this fraud.
A police spokesman said: “The issue of PPI refunds is a very current topic and criminals will look to exploit any new opportunity to obtain money or personal details from members of our communities.
Members of the public should never disclose bank details or other sensitive information to any companies or individuals unless entirely certain of their authenticity. Anyone who has received a call similar to this should report the matter to police or Action Fraud immediately on 0300 123 2040.”
Lothian and Borders Police are appealing for witnesses after a Royal Mail employee had items stolen from his car. The incident happened on Tuesday, sometime between 11.30am and 12.45am in West Pilton Avenue. A 34-year-old postman parked his car in the area and returned to find the vehicle had been broken into and two Royal Mail jackets and a bag of mail were stolen from inside.
Officers have carried out local enquiries to trace the stolen property and have urged anyone who can assist with their investigation to come forward.
A police spokesman said: “These items have no significant financial value. However, the mail could be of a personal nature and the clothing may allow the suspect to pose as a Royal Mail employee. Anyone who witnessed this incident or who saw anything suspicious in the West Pilton Avenue area yesterday morning is asked to contact police immediately. The public is also reminded to ask for identification from anyone requesting access to your property. Always check with the company they claim to represent if you are uncertain and if you’re still not satisfied, then call the police.”
Anyone with any information can contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or the charity Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.
Lothian and Borders Police are appealing for witnesses following an attempted robbery in Pilton around 9pm last night.
A 19-year-old man alighted a bus on Crewe Road North and turned onto Pilton Avenue as he walked home. After passing the entrance to Crewe Place, a male approached and engaged him in conversation before demanding his bag. The man refused and the suspect swung a punch, which was blocked before the victim ran off and contacted police.
Officers are now keen to speak with anyone who can assist with their enquiries. The suspect is described as white, 20-25 years old, 6ft tall with a medium build and short blond hair. He was wearing a red and white checked shirt, khaki-coloured trousers and spoke with a local accent. It is believed he was also under the influence of alcohol at the time.
A police spokesman said: “Fortunately the young man was not injured as a result of this attempted robbery, nevertheless, it was an unpleasant experience that left him quite shaken. We believe there were a number of motorists who would have driven past as this incident was happening and they are asked to come forward if they remember seeing anything suspicious.
Similarly, anyone who can help identify the suspect is also asked to contact police immediately.”
Anyone with any information can contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or the charity Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.
Lothian and Borders Police are appealing for witnesses after properties within a block of flats were flooded. The incident happened between 8pm and 8.30pm last night in West Pilton’s Northview Court. The main water pipe for the building was accessed and then ruptured, causing the landing of the eighth floor and some of the flats below to flood.
Police attended the incident and Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service were contacted to turn off the water. Anyone with information that can assist officers with their enquiries is now asked to come forward.
A police spokesman said: “This mindless act of destruction has caused significant water damage to the properties below the eighth floor and we are eager to hear from any residents or witnesses who can help us identify those responsible. Anyone who saw any suspicious activity in or around Northview Court yesterday evening is asked to contact police immediately.”
Anyone with any information can contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or the charity Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.
Police are continuing to investigate the death of a six week old infant who died at a flat in Ferry Road Avenue in November . Police were called to the flat on Wednesday 23rd November by the Scottish Ambulance Service following the discovery of the infant.
Police are still investigating infants death.
A police spokesman said “Enquiries are continuing to establish the full circumstances of the death of a six-week-old infant within an address in the Drylaw area of Edinburgh on Wednesday, November 23. A report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal in due course.”
A TEENAGER accused of murdering a 63-year-old woman during a sex attack in Drylaw is to stand trial.
Jay Soso admits having sex with the pensioner.
Marie Reid’s body was found at her home in Easter Drylaw Way, on November 15 2010.
Jay Soso, of Home Street, Tollcross, admits having sex with the pensioner but denies rape and murder.
After a brief hearing at the High Court in Edinburgh yesterday, judge Lord Turnbull allowed Soso, 19, to remain on bail until his trial in Glasgow on May 29.
Soso is accused of raping Marie Reid and committing other sex acts before inflicting injuries “by means unknown” which led to her death.
He also denies cleaning up in the house in an attempt to destroy evidence.
Other charges, which Soso also denies, allege that he stole a bank card and pre-pay television box, stole cash from ATMs and had cannabis and amphetamine in his possession.
A seventy-five year old woman has been mugged at the entrance to Ferryhill Primary School on Groathill Road North. The incident happened at about 6pm on Sunday night.
Police cordon off the area around the entrance to Ferryhill primary School. (Picture: Thomas Brown)
A Police spokseperson said “A seventy-five year old female had her handbag snatched from her with such force it caused her to fall to the ground. As a result of this fall the elderly lady has sustained serious injuries which have resulted in her having to be admitted to Hospital.
Officers of Lothian and Borders Police are appealing to the public to help them identify the male responsible who is described as being in his early twenties, six feet tall with a skinny build, wearing dark clothing and a cream coloured hat.”
Officers were at the scene until about 10.30pm and carried out a thorough search of the area.
A Police search team search the area where the woman was mugged. (Picture: Thomas Brown)
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Police on 311-3131 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
Lothian and Borders Police are appealing for witnesses after a couple were assaulted and robbed in Davidsons Mains over the weekend.
Police are appealing for witnesses following the attack.
The incident happened around 2.10am on Sunday 18 December. A 71-year-old man and his 68-year-old wife had just left the Maitland Bowling Club in Davidsons Mains and were walking along the High Street when a man approached and grabbed at the woman’s bag.
A struggle ensued and the woman’s bag strap snapped causing her purse to fall out, which was then stolen by the suspect who made off from the area.
The victim’s husband tried to pursue the man and suffered minor facial injuries after being struck to the face.
Police are now urging anyone who can assist with their enquiries to come forward.
The suspect is described as white, 20-25-years-old, 6ft 2ins tall with a slim build and wearing a patterned woolen hat with earflaps.
A police spokesman said: “This incident has left both victims incredibly shaken, although neither required treatment in hospital.
“Anyone who was in or around Davidson Mains High Street in the early hours of Sunday morning and witnessed the robbery or can help identify the suspect is asked to contact police immediately.”
Anyone with any information can contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or the charity Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.
This week, Muirhouse and Salvesen Community Council launched their campaign to stop the Council closing paths that lead from Muirhouse into Silverknowes Eastway. The petition was launched following a public meeting organised by the Davidsons Mains Silverknows Association last month where they have requested the Council look to close off these public footpaths.
This is one of the paths that would be closed if the plans get the go ahead. (Picture: Thomas Brown)
As well as closing off the footpaths the Council are also looking at installing up to twelve CCTV monitors in private houses, two of which will be linked to the City in View system which will allow the Police to monitor them at a cost of £4,800.00.
The public meeting which took place on 17th November was attended by over two hundred residents from Silverknowes following a spate of vandalisms and an increase in anti social behavior. Natalie Hoy, Neighbourhood Manager for the West of the City, was in attendance along with Ruth Stanley from the North Office, local Politicians and representatives from the Police.
It was agreed that the Closure of the access points from Muirhouse was the “most important consideration in trying to solve these problems” and according to the Davidsons Mains Silverknowes Association website “there was an assurance this would proceed as quickly as possible”
This is a move, which has angered the Muirhouse and Salvesen Community Council and their Chairperson, Roy Douglas said ” We are disgusted to learn that residents of Silverknowes (who are technically part of Forth Ward) want to close public access footpaths. These footpaths are part of Muirhouse and lead into a newish housing complex that is part of Muirhouse and the Forth Ward. No “Berlin Wall” should be allowed to be built between Communities in this day and age. These paths are used by our school children to get to school safely away from busy main roads and are used by people to access local shops and bus routes.”
Local Neighbourhood manager Peter Strong has been crticised for his handling of this issue by Muirhouse and Salvesen Community Council
We are also disgusted to learn what Police resources have been used and how much is being spent in response to the residents of Silverknowes Eastway complaints. According to a Police representative who attended our meeting said reports have been minor incidents, a smashed window, car keying. In other areas of the Forth Ward they happen every other day. We acknowledge that there is a youth issue in parts of Muirhouse but with the involvement of our local professional Youth Agencies which have great success in engaging with local youth in resolving such issues, and we feel that resources should be given to them.
If the Council allow such division in communities where does the Equality and Diversity policies for our city stand? Peter Strong did apologise that our Community Council was not informed but he should hang has head in shame for allowing another Neighbourhood Partnership to become involved in the affairs of the Forth Ward. We are heading up to a local election and councillors of an adjoining ward want to scare monger and get support to the splitting up of communities and get votes for their parties. Leave our Community alone, do not create more problems with a wall of division.
Our Community Council have circulated petitions for residents of Muirhouse to become aware of this and sign. All we all want for Christmas is Peace and Goodwill lets achieve a New Year with Communities living in Harmony not peering over a wall at each other.”
Inspector John Cooper from Lothian and Borders police said “The main issues are youths passing through Silverknowes to congregate in the Davidsons mains area and this has lead to a number of minor vandalism’s such as car windows being smashed and cars being scratched.
At this moment in time we have not been asked to provide any evidence to suggest that closing these paths will resolve the problems currently being experienced. Over the past few months we have had undertaken a variety of tasks to identify these youths and this has included increased patrols in the area as well as the use of the CCTV van which has been located in the are for the past few weeks.”
Natalie Hoy the West Neighbourhood manager said “To be very clear the Council and Police committed to commissioning a Environmental Survey of the area using Safer by Design which is an accredited and recognised tool for assessing environmental factors in a local area, this survey is carried out by colleagues in Lothian and Borders Police.
Natalie Hoy says a summit will be held within the next few weeks
I must stress that the council have not committed to closing the footpaths, this will be subject to further discussion and will involve communities from both West and North. A cross neighbourhood summit involving senior officials from the police and council, elected members and community representatives will be convened in the next few weeks.
The Council has committed to offering CCTV provision in domestic properties in the area affected and to explore the Silverknowes Community Representative’s idea that he would like to see further cameras purchased, no cameras have been purchased and these discussions have commenced this week.
Significant work is already underway with young people in both the North and West looking at positive engagement and diversion, action will be taken in cases where this is appropriate jointly in partnership with our Police colleagues however we recognise that the vast majority of young people themselves want to live in a safe community. Council and Police work hard to tailor responses to local community issues and this is part of our neighbourhood working on a day to day basis.”
Almond Councillor Kate Mackenzie said “There have been lots of issues in and around the Silverknowes area caused by young people passing through. These issues have been mainly vandalism and local people have had enough of it. I am unaware what, if any, work has done been to engage with the young people that are causing this problem.”
Local Councillor Cammy Day said “I was made aware of the issues in Silverknowes Eastway, and a public meeting held in Almond ward regarding a few incidents that had taken place. Silverknowes Eastway is in the Forth Ward, and I was surprised not be invited to attend.
It’s important that we take this in perspective, and we take appropriate action to respond positively to any acts of vandalism or anti social behaviour.
I would be keen to have our community safety team and youth street work teams engage with the young people involved for a positive resolution.
A meeting of local representatives is to be arranged later this week to agree a course of action.”
What are your views on building fences to separate communities?
A 12 year old girl is in hospital this morning after being knocked down on her way to school. The girl was knocked down at 8.10am this morning on Orchard Brae opposite Flora Stevensons School.
Orchard brae was closed whilst the cause of the accident was investigated
A Police spokeseperson said “We were called to the accdient at 8.10am today where a 12 year old girl had been knocked down outside Flora Stevensons School. The girl suffered a minor injury to her leg and her injuries are not thought to be serious”
