Two boys aged 14 and 15 have been charged after a stone was thrown at a bus in Pennywell Gardens, smashing a window. The incident occurred around 7.10pm on Wednesday 5 May.
Inspector Johnny Elliott of Drylaw Police Station said: “This kind of behaviour is dangerous and the consequences could have been far more serious.
“As part of Operation Proust, officers have been visiting schools in the area and speaking to youths about the dangers of throwing stones at public transport vehicles. This kind of behaviour will not be tolerated and we will make every effort to identify those responsible.
“Information from members of the public is vital in helping us quickly identify those involved in this type of criminality and we would encourage anyone who witnesses an incident to contact Police Scotland through 101.
“Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
A youth has been arrested and charged in connection to Operation Proust, Edinburgh City Division’s response to increased reports of anti-social behaviour aimed at public transport providers.
A 16 year old male was arrested today after he was identified following enquiries into two incident involving Lothian Buses which happened on 11th April on Princes Street and 13th April on Howden Hall Road.
He has been charged with culpable and reckless conduct, vandalism along with threatening and abusive behaviour.
The male will appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court at a later date.
Sergeant Grant Robertson of Howdenhall Police Station said: “We remain committed to tackling this issue and this arrest should act as a warning to others that this behaviour will not be tolerated.
“We ask parents, guardians and any person who works with young people to speak to them about the dangers and consequences associated with this reckless behaviour.
“Anyone with information regarding antisocial behaviour in their area can contact Police Scotland through 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111”
A youth has been traced in connection with a series of incidents where buses were targeted in Edinburgh
The 17-year-old male was arrested over the weekend after he was identified during enquiries into the incidents which happened on Friday, 9 April at Marchmont Crescent, Princes Street and Pennywell Road.
He was charged with four incidents of culpable and reckless conduct together with other instances of anti-social behaviour and will appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court at a later date.
Although the Meadows is not part of my policing command area, seeing the disgraceful scenes over the Easter weekend made it clear that a visible and robust police presence was required in green spaces in the north west of the city to deter this type of behaviour (writes Chief Inspector SARAH TAYLOR).
Although the Meadows is not part of my policing command area, seeing the disgraceful scenes unfold over the Easter Weekend made it clear to me that a visible and robust police presence was required in our green spaces within the North West of the city to deter this type of behaviour being replicated.
Communities living near to our own popular beauty spots such as Cramond, South Queensferry, Inverleith Park and Lauriston Castle can be reassured that targeted patrols are being conducted in these areas to ensure that every opportunity is made to disrupt and prevent such behaviours from taking place.
Officers will engage with the public, offer relevant advice if current COVID legislation is being breached and take appropriate enforcement action for any criminal offences we observe.
Please keep adhering to the existing Scottish government guidelines and help ensure the swiftest possible route out of lockdown.
You may all be aware that in the past few months we have received an increasing number of reports relating to criminality occurring on, and towards, Lothian Bus services across the city and a number of services have been temporarily suspended as a result.
Sadly, the North West has been one of the main areas where such instances have been reported. Officers have responded to incidents in Clermiston, Drumbrae and Drylaw where buses have been struck by objects.
Operation Proust aims to address these issues through joint community patrols with Lothian Buses, providing reassurance to drivers and members of the public, as well as speaking to youths about the dangers and consequences associated with this type of reckless behaviour.
We have now charged 30 young people in relation to these incidents. I would urge parents and guardians to speak to their children about the dangers associated with throwing objects at vehicles, as well as making sure they know where they are and what they are doing.
Sadly, this is not the only type of only antisocial behaviour we’ve experienced in the North West as of late.
Local residents in South Queensferry and Clermiston have been in touch to report a number of incidents of youth-related antisocial behaviour and as such we’ve carried out a range initiatives to identify those responsible, prevent further offences and divert youths away from getting involved in crime. We will share more about these initiatives and their progress via our social media channels.
Community safety remains an established priority and we continue to work with our partners including City of Edinburgh Council to combat antisocial behaviour in all its forms.
In addition to our commitment to tackling antisocial behaviour throughout the North West, we remain steadfast in our efforts to combat the harm caused by drugs within our local communities.
Over the past six weeks we have worked in partnership with relevant partners and other specialist resources across the Drylaw, Muirhouse and Pilton areas to target and disrupt those involved in drug supply.
Together, we have undertaken a range of enforcement and disruption activities that have resulted in various drug seizures being made, including the recovery of £25,000 of cannabis at one property.
The public continue to play a vital role in assisting investigations into drug crime and I would encourage anyone who has any concerns about drug-related activity, or has any information about those involved in drugs, to contact police on 101 or make an anonymous report to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
CI Sarah Taylor is Local Area Commander for North West Edinburgh.
Two boys, aged 12 and 13, have been charged after a stone was thrown at a tram in Sighthill, smashing a window.The incident occurred around 7.15pm in Bankhead Drive on Wednesday, 24 March.
The boys will be the subject of a report to the Youth Justice Assessor.
Chief Inspector Sarah Taylor said: “Throwing stones and other objects at public transport vehicles is extremely dangerous and we will not tolerate this mindless and destructive activity.
“Officers have been out speaking to youths in the community about the dangers and consequences of this behaviour as part of Operation Proust, and will continue these efforts over the coming weeks.
“Information from members of the public is vital in helping us quickly identify those involved in this type of criminality and we would encourage anyone who witnesses an incident to contact Police Scotland through 101. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
Operation Proust will continue this weekend, with officers on patrol in different areas of Edinburgh to tackle antisocial behaviour on and around bus services.
There have been a number of incidents involving youths across the city over recent weeks, which have resulted in the disruption and even temporary termination of services.
The focus will be on ensuring services are able to run smoothly as well as deterring further incidents of antisocial behaviour and criminality.
Chief Inspector Sarah Taylor said: “Bus drivers have and continue to provide an essential service to the public during this pandemic, including transport to and from hospitals. It is disgraceful that those who have continued to support our communities have been targeted in this way.
“Officers will be out in the community providing reassurance to the drivers and members of the public. Anyone caught engaging in antisocial behaviour or violence will be dealt with robustly.
“Extensive enquiries are ongoing to trace the individuals involved in the recent incidents and I would appeal to anyone with information to contact Police Scotland through 101. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
Police are appealing for witnesses after a bus driver was assaulted by a youth in Drum Brae.
Around 10pm last Friday (5 March), a number 26 bus was travelling along Drum Brae Drive towards Corstorphine Hill when it came to a halt at a bus stop.
A group of youths were attempting to tamper with the bus from outside, and when the driver got off to stop them, he was assaulted by one. He is described as 6ft tall, of slim build and wearing a black jacket.
The suspect was part of a group of youths, three males and one female, all aged between 15 and 18 years of age.
Inspector Johnny Elliott of Drylaw Police Station said: “This was an unprovoked assault on a man who was simply trying to do his job and it is vital we trace the individuals involved.
“I am appealing for anyone who was in the area on Friday evening and either witnessed the incident, or noticed a group of youths matching the above description behaving suspiciously, to get in touch.
“I would also ask any motorists with dash-cams who were on the roads at the time to please check their footage in case they have captured anything which could be of significance.
“Anyone with information should contact police on 101, quoting incident number 3774 of 5 March. Alternatively, you can contact the Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
UPDATE 12.03.21
A 14-year-old boy has been charged in relation to assaulting a Bus Driver.
The incident happened on Friday 05/03/21 on Drum Brae Drive after a group of youths attempted to tamper with the bus, causing the driver to leave the vehicle in order to stop them.
