Tag: OPeration Soteria

Police: Operation Soteria

POLICE officers in North East Edinburgh policing teams have been working to tackle motorcycle thefts with the activity carried under Operation Soteria, the capital’s well established, city-wide approach.

Chief Inspector Kieran Dougal, North East Edinburgh Local Area Commander, said: “Operation Soteria is our overarching response to motorcycle thefts and my Initiative Team, Response and Community officers in North East Edinburgh have been working hard and continuing their efforts to identify offenders, prevent and deter incidents, and provide community reassurance.

“Road safety and tackling acquisitive crime remains a priority in Edinburgh as a whole and such behaviour will not be tolerated.

“Partnership working is key, and our Prevention, Interventions and Partnerships team are also working with partners to raise awareness and share crime prevention and security advice.

“During the summer so far in North East Edinburgh my officers have made eight arrests, libelled 30 charges, executing numerous warrants and recovered over £400,000 in stolen vehicles.

He added: “We will continue to work to ensure offenders are dealt with robustly. To allow us to target our activities, we encourage communities to report incidents via 101, and should anyone have information as to the identity of those placing communities at risk, this can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

#OperationSoteria

Police Scotland: Operation Soteria

Secure your Motorcycle

#OpSoteria is our divisional response to significant community concerns linked to the theft & antisocial use of motorcycles across the city:

– Ensure your bike is fitted with a combined alarm and immobiliser which will deter thieves when the alarm sounds.

– Attach both a disc lock and U-lock. Do not rely on one device, The more security placed on your bike, the less attractive it is to a thief.

– Try to park under street lights

– When applying your locks, ensure they are secured to a solid anchor point or a permanent piece of street furniture. Keep the lock off the ground where possible as this makes it difficult for the thief to remove.

– Cover your motorcycle and ensure the cover is attached to the security device.

– Where possible use ‘Thatcham’ or ‘Secure by Design’ approved devices. These have been tested by the industry and are generally agreed to be Some of the most robust security devices available.

– Ensure you always activate the steering lock.

– Avoid leaving your helmet or other possessions on the motorcycle, in luggage space or panniers.

– Be vigilant, ensure that you are not being followed home and check for suspicious items attached to your motorcycle.

Social Media

Think about what you share on any app. and regularly review your security settings – Make sure your posts do not identify your home and make it a target.

Tracking Devices

Tracking devices are an effective covert security measure. Although they may not prevent your motorcycle from being stolen, it will assist Police in tracing and recovering the vehicle quickly.

Marking and Identification Systems

Datatag ID – Datatag is a piece of technology which can be attached to various parts of your motorcycle. It comes in different forms, dependent on what is most appropriate and is unique to each individual.

For more information on this product, please visit www.datatag.co.uk.

More than 130 motorcycles recovered in Edinburgh under Operation Soteria

Edinburgh Division ‘remains committed to tackling the theft and reckless use of motorcycles’

Operation Soteria, the capital’s well-established city wide initiative, resulted in 36 arrests, 185 charges for a variety of offences, and the recovery of 131 motorcycles, with a total value of more than £600,000.

Whilst this intensification period has recently concluded, locally based initiative teams, response, community and CID officers continue their efforts to identify offenders, prevent and deter further incidents, and provide community reassurance.

Superintendent Sam Ainslie said: “We are aware of the negative impact and understandable community concerns resulting from the anti-social and reckless use of off-road motorcycles across the city.

“This behaviour will not be tolerated, and we have and will continue to work with colleagues, including Road Policing, to proactively prevent and address these concerns.

“Road safety remains a priority for Edinburgh Division, and notwithstanding the risk these reckless individuals pose to their own safety, their behaviours also cause significant risk to pedestrians and other road users.

“While Operation Soteria has now concluded for this year, officers across Edinburgh remain committed to tackling and reducing motorcycle related crime and will continue to work to ensure offenders are dealt with robustly.

“To allow us to target our activities, I would encourage communities to report incidents via 101, and should anyone have information as to the identity of those placing communities at risk, this can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Superintendent Ainslie added: “In addition to enforcement, a key element of our work involves crime prevention, education and community engagement and reassurance.

“We understand the impact on the both the biker and wider community, and we have and will continue to work with them.

“As an example, we have been working with a range of partners across our established networks, including the tourism sector, both locally and across Europe, raising awareness and discussing security and prevention opportunities”

Motorcycle crime: three more arrests

#OperationSoteria, Edinburgh Policing Division’s city wide Operation, have been exhausting all lines of enquiry to bring offenders to account for motorcycle thefts and associated anti-social behaviour.

Over the past week, enquiries have led to the arrest of 3 individuals with significant links to motorcycle crime across Edinburgh and the execution of a warrant. This equates to a weekly total of 30 charges, and the recovery of 4 bikes, all as a direct result of our targeted activities.

Since the commencement of #OpSoteria on 20 June 2022, we have made 27 arrests. This translates to 160 charges all relating to motorcycle theft and antisocial behaviour offences and the recovery of 76 motorcycles, bringing the total value of bikes recovered since June to more than £581,713.

Anyone with information about motorcycle crime or the dangerous use of motorcycles in the capital can speak to officers confidentially and anonymously on 101, or through the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Operation Soteria: the story so far

#OperationSoteria, Edinburgh Policing Division’s city wide Operation continues to put the brakes on criminals involved in motorcycle thefts and associated anti-social behaviour.

Over the past week, enquiries have led to the arrest of 5 individuals with significant links to motorcycle crime across Edinburgh. This equates to a weekly total of 42 charges and the recovery of 11 bikes, all as a direct result of our targeted activities.

Since the commencement of #OpSoteria on 20 June 2022, we have made 17 arrests, with a further individual reported for warrant.

This translates to 104 charges all relating to motorcycle theft and antisocial behaviour offences and the recovery of 51 motorcycles, bringing the total value of bikes recovered since June to more than £360,000.

Anyone with information about motorcycle crime or the dangerous use of motorcycles in the capital can speak to officers confidentially and anonymously on 101, or through the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Local success in battle against motorcycle crime

On Wednesday (20th July), members of Police Scotland’s #OperationSoteria arrested and charged a 14-year-old boy with a number of offences in relation to the robbery of a motorcycle from the Drylaw area on the 19th July 2022 and a number of road traffic offences.

He was remanded in custody to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

Officers from Operation Orbit have also been out and about on patrol with their off-road bikes, assisting #OperationSoteria with tackling motorcycle crime and anti-social behaviour in Edinburgh.

Operaton Orbit improves their ability to prevent and respond to incidents, whilst providing a high visibility patrol and improving engagement with local young people.

Anyone with information about motorcycle crime or the dangerous use of motorcycles in the city can speak to officers confidentially and anonymously on 101, or through the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Cracking down on motorcycle crime

This week, #OperationSoteria have been conducting enquiries which have resulted in a 14-year-old and a 15-year-old being charged with offences relating to the theft of motorcycles within the city of Edinburgh, along with a number of road traffic offences.

Further enquiries have resulted in a stolen motorcycle being recovered which was stolen from the Leith area on 29/06/22.

Anyone with information about motorcycle crime or the dangerous use of motorcycles in the city can speak to officers confidentially and anonymously on 101, or through the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.