Two people have been arrested in connection with the death of a 38-year-old man in West Granton.A 32-year-old man and 25-year-old woman have been arrested in connection with the shooting.
Emergency services were called around 11.50pm on Sunday, 31 December, 2023, after a firearm was discharged in West Granton Road, seriously injuring two men.
Both men, aged 38 and 39, were taken to hospital, where the 38-year-old man was pronounced dead a short time later. The dead man has been named locally as Marc Webley.
Enquiries are ongoing and police continue to appeal for information.
Detective Superintendent Graham Grant, Major Investigation Team, said: “We’d like to thank the local community for their support and patience while enquiries are ongoing.
“There will continue to be an increased police presence in the area and anyone with further concerns should speak to officers, call 101, or in the case of an emergency, 999.”
Police Scotland’s commitment to disrupting the activities of organised crime groups is unwavering, as latest figures show that millions of pounds worth of illegal drugs were seized between July and September 2023.
The Quarter 2 2023-24 Performance Report details activity by officers across the country, which saw cocaine, heroin and cannabis as well as quantities of cash being recovered. A number of arrests were also made.
Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ferry said: “Police Scotland is committed to disrupting the activities of organised criminals, who trade in misery by selling and supplying illegal drugs, and making Scotland a hostile environment for them to operate.
“Our role, working in partnership with other others including the members of the country’s Serious Organised Crime Taskforce, is vital in preventing these drugs reaching our streets and adding to the terrible toll of drugs deaths.
“Activity detailed in the latest Performance Report underlines our commitment to reducing the harm caused to individuals, families and communities.
“The seizures will impact the activities of those involved and help keep our communities safe.”
“Our message is clear: this is simply not welcome or tolerated in Scotland.”
Police Scotland targeted drugs dealers who exploit vulnerable young people during a national County Lines Intensification Week of activity – between Monday, 9 October and Friday, 15 October 2023.
Proactive action by officers across the country saw a number of vulnerable people being identified and safeguarded and addresses used for cuckooing being visited.
Illegal drugs and offensive weapons, including a firearm, were also recovered.
Assistant Chief Constable Andy Freeburn said: “The harm caused by illegal drugs across Scotland is well-documented and County Lines drug dealers bring nothing but misery to our communities. They exploit vulnerable people and groom and threaten young people to become involved in their nefarious activities.
“Over the week we have worked in partnership with a wide range of national organisations, including the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce, to crack down on those involved in County Lines activity.
“Our message is clear: this is simply not welcome or tolerated in Scotland.”
During the UK-wide initiative – co-ordinated by the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) – officers in Scotland safeguarded 17 vulnerable people and engaged with another 650.
373 addresses believed to be used for the purposes of cuckooing were also visited
25 people were arrested for a variety of offences including; being in possession of a firearm and ammunition, attempted murder and the supply of illegal drugs. In addition 18 warrants were executed.
Cocaine with a street value of over £250,000, heroin with a street value of £33,000 and crack cocaine with a street value of almost £30,000, was seized. Cannabis, a quantity of tablets and over £220,000 in cash were also recovered.
A number offensive weapons such as machetes, a meat cleaver, a knife and a baseball bat were recovered. An electric bike, two Audi cars and several mobiles phones were seized.
County Lines is a terms used to describe activity by criminals from larger cities who expand their operations into smaller towns. They exploit young and vulnerable people to sell drugs, carry cash and weapons – bringing violence, coercion and abuse. They may also take over a vulnerable person’s house, known as cuckooing.
Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: “I welcome the County Lines intensification activity by Police Scotland, which has helped to safeguard a number of individuals. It is essential that we protect our most vulnerable citizens from being exploited by ruthless criminals whose only focus is on increasing their wealth.
“This year, Scotland’s Serious Organised Crime Taskforce published practitioner guidance on the criminal exploitation of children and vulnerable adults. The guidance aims to help those who come into contact with children and vulnerable adults on a regular basis to identify the signs of possible exploitation and what measures should be put in place to protect them.”
Assistant Chief Constable Freeburn added: “These hugely positive results during the intensification week are an example of our continuing work in support of Scotland’s Serious and Organised Crime Strategy.
“I would urge anyone who has concerns about County Lines activity or knowledge of who may be involved to contact Police Scotland or alternatively to Crimestoppers anonymously.”
Notable activity in Scotland included:
An investigation is ongoing after a vehicle was stopped as it travelled between England and Scotland and £200,000 in Scottish notes was recovered.
Officers in Inverness safely traced a 17-year-old male youth, who is believed to be involved in County Lines activity and had been reported missing from Birmingham,
West Midlands Police arrested a man wanted in Aberdeen on behalf of Police Scotland.
POLICE in Midlothian have charged two men and seized a significant quantity of controlled drugs following an intelligence-led operation.
On Tuesday, 12 September, 2023, officers attended a property in the Danderhall area suspected of being involved in the production and supply of illegal drugs.
Seized from within the address were items believed to be involved in the production of diazepam, including a pill press, along with approximately 900,000 tablets.
A range of other substances, including powders currently undergoing further forensic testing, were also recovered.
It is anticipated that the items recovered had an estimated street value of over £1 million.
Two men, aged 42 and 60, were arrested at the scene and have since been charged. Both are due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today (Thursday, 14 September, 2023.)
Detective Chief Inspector Bryan Burns said: “Officers discovered a sophisticated criminal enterprise believed to have been producing vast amounts of illegal drugs with a significant quantity, and mechanisms to produce more, successfully seized.
“Our officers are removing drugs from communities right across Scotland day in, day out. In addition we will continue to do everything in our powers to strip those responsible of their criminal assets using the Proceeds of Crime Act, so they do not benefit from criminal activity.
“This operation underlines our commitment to the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce and the country’s Serious Organised Crime Strategy.”
Pro-active action by police officers saw millions of pounds worth of illegal drugs recovered, between April and June 2023 as Police Scotland’s efforts to disrupt serious organised crime continues.
The Quarter 1 2023-24 Performance Report, presented to the Scottish Police Authority on Tuesday, 12 September 2023, details seizures of cannabis, cocaine, heroin and street Valium tablets as well as a number of arrests being made.
Detective Chief Superintendent Vicky Watson said: “Police Scotland has a vital role in preventing illicit drugs reaching our streets and disrupting the nefarious activities of those engaged in serious organised criminality.
“We are all too aware of the terrible toll of drugs deaths in Scotland. The ongoing activity described in the performance report underlines our commitment to reducing the harm caused to individuals, families and communities.
“The encouraging figures underline that those working in partnership to deliver the country’s Serious Organised Crime Strategy continue to have a considerable impact on these illegal activities and are contributing to helping to keep our communities safe.
“These seizures will undoubtedly have a massive negative effect on the activities of those involved.”
Activity between April and June 2023 includes:
• Activity by Organised Crime and local officers, saw seven men and three woman arrested during an operation targeting the supply of drugs in the Scottish Borders which resulted in £670,000 worth of substances being recovered
• Officers in Ayrshire recovered a cannabis cultivation with an estimated street value of £2,000,000
• Officers executed a warrant at a property in High Street, Dumfries and recovered cannabis plants with an estimated street value of £261,000
• Cannabis plants worth £740,000 were seized following an operation in Kirkcaldy
• Officers executed warrants at a number of addresses in Aberdeen and Liverpool as part of a County Lines investigation and recovered heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine with an estimated street value in excess of £115,000
• In Glenrothes, a 21-year-old man was arrested and charged after Class A drugs, with an estimated street value of £400,000 were recovered.
In the reporting period hundreds of thousands of street Valium tablets, including Etizolam and Bromazolam were seized. At least 200,000 were recovered during operations in the Glasgow area, 160,000 in Lanarkshire, more than 30,000 in the Renfrewshire and Inverclyde area and almost 50,000 in the Lothians and Scottish Borders.
Eight men have been arrested and cocaine worth up to £225,000 was seized in a day of action targeting county lines drug activity in Edinburgh.
The action was taken yesterday (Tuesday, 5 September) and focused on eight addresses in Edinburgh and two in London, with support from the Metropolitan Police.
Officers from Edinburgh also worked with colleagues in Highland & Islands Division as part of the investigation, looking into wider links in the Inverness area.
Cocaine worth up to £225,000 was seized over the course of the day along with up to £30,000 in cash.
The eight men, aged between 41 and 21, were arrested and charged in connection with various drug and immigration offences. They are all due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today (Wednesday, 6 September).
Detective Superintendent Iain Ramsay said: “We are committed to identifying the supply chain which brings drugs into Edinburgh and disrupting the activity of people intent on bringing harm to our communities.
“The county lines model shows crime does not respect borders.
“Activity such as this cross-border operation shows the benefit of working closely with partner agencies in response to concerns raised by local communities, as well working with colleagues across Police Scotland.
“Intelligence is the lifeblood of investigations such as this. Communities should not have to tolerate the damage caused by drugs and I would urge anyone with information which can help us deal with those responsible to pass this on.”
“If anyone has any concerns regarding the abuse of controlled drugs, or anyone who may be involved in the supply of controlled drugs, they are urged to contact Police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
Frontline workers, including in schools and the NHS, are being given new guidance to help prevent children and vulnerable adults from being drawn into organised crime.
The first document of its kind in Scotland, the ‘Practitioner Guidance on Criminal Exploitation’ stems from work commissioned last year by the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce.
It aims to support a shared understanding of criminal exploitation and to help professionals identify those at risk from serious organised crime.
This includes watching out for signs such as: individuals travelling to different areas or locations they would not usually visit; changes in peer groups; and individuals who may have been groomed by crime gangs appearing agitated and nervous about answering calls, or texts and going out.
The guidance will be made available to all front-line workers – including in social work, policing, the NHS, education settings and the third-sector – who come into regular contact with children and vulnerable adults.
Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: “Criminal exploitation of anyone, and particularly the vulnerable is truly abhorrent and can leave victims feeling trapped with nowhere to turn while experiencing violence, intimidation, and threats.
“This new guidance seeks to help end that cycle, giving people who work with children and vulnerable adults the confidence to act, enabling help to be more quickly delivered to those that need it.
“Scotland’s organised crime gangs are not confined to the big cities, and they seek to exploit people across the country, impacting everyone. Understanding this and how this despicable practice can finally be ended is crucial in supporting the strong partnerships we have created to tackle these illegal groups.
“We all pay the price for their callous disregard for the law. This guidance is an important step towards better helping victims of exploitation and stifling the organised criminals of the lifeblood they need to keep operating.”
Paul Carberry, Chair of Serious Organised Crime Taskforce Divert strand, said: “This guidance will give professionals from across multiple agencies more comprehensive knowledge, understanding and develop a wider perspective about criminal exploitation.
“It is essential frontline public professionals, such as NHS, Social Work, and school staff, as well as Police Scotland, recognise the signs and have a shared knowledge of criminal exploitation.
“The work of the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce will help Scotland realise a vision where all individuals are free from criminal exploitation. This guidance will take us one step further in that aim.”
Three men were sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh yesterday following a violent attack on a man in Lochend.
Lewis Spence, 26, Connor Steele, 23, and Bradley Logan, 25, were each sentenced to seven years in prison following the attempted murder of a 40-year-old man in Lochend Road South, on Tuesday, 15 September, 2020.
The 40-year-old man was treated at St John’s Hospital in Livingston for severe injuries.
Detective Inspector Kevin Tait of Edinburgh CID said: “This was a targeted, violent attack linked to organised criminality that occurred in broad daylight.
“The men were arrested following an extensive investigation and will now face the consequences of their actions.
“I would like to thank the members of the public for their assistance during our enquiries, which has undoubtedly assisted in securing this conviction.
“This type of violent crime will not be tolerated in Edinburgh and I hope the outcome today sends a clear message to those involved in serious organised crime, that we are committed to disrupting harmful activity in our communities and bringing the perpetrators of violence to justice.”
Anyone with information or concerns about criminality in their area can contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where anonymity can be maintained.
Seven people have been arrested after warrants were executed at nine properties in Edinburgh, East Lothian, and Midlothian, as part of a pre-planned operation following a series of violent incidents and fire-raising.
Today, Tuesday, 14 March, divisional officers, supported by specialist resources from Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism, attended at addresses in the Niddrie, Gracemount and Craigmillar areas of Edinburgh, as well as Cockenzie and Gorebridge.
Five men – aged 23, 23, 30, 30, and 32 – and a 16-year-old male youth – have been charged in connection with a series of offences, a report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal and all will appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Wednesday, 15 March, 2023. A 23-year-old man was released pending further enquiries.
Detective Chief Inspector Mark Petrie, Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism, said: “Today demonstrates our commitment to tackling violence in our communities and apprehending those involved.
“This day of action has been the culmination of extensive investigatory work over a number of months.
“Throughout the investigation we have utilised detectives and specialists from across Police Scotland and we will continue to do so as our enquiries remain ongoing.”
Superintendent Mark Rennie, who is responsible for operational policing within Edinburgh, said: “These arrests reinforce our determination to target those involved in violence and organised crime.
“I want to reassure the public that we will continue to use every tool and tactic at our disposal to relentlessly pursue individuals who engage in violence within this city.
“I would encourage members of the public with information, or any concerns, to come forward so we can take action.
“Anyone with any information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101. Alternatively, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where information can be given anonymously.
British Veterinary Association renews calls for greater enforcement of irresponsible dog breeding; a clamp down on unregulated canine fertility clinics; and a ban on imported dogs with cropped ears
New, hard-hitting BBC Panorama and Disclosure investigations have revealed the links between organised crime and the breeding of dogs with extreme features. In light of these investigations, the British Veterinary Association (BVA) is calling for urgent action on better enforcement and regulation of dog breeding and selling.
The two documentaries, broadcast on Monday 23 January, show how the growing popularity of breeds like American and French bulldogs has led criminal gangs to resort to cruel and dangerous breeding practices.
The investigation also uncovers the impact of extreme breeding on the health and welfare of dogs, including links to the recent spike in unregulated canine fertility clinics and the trend for cropping dogs’ ears for fashion.
“Sadly, this BBC investigation doesn’t come as a surprise to vets and animal welfare organisations. BVA has long raised concerns about irresponsible breeding and its links to unregulated canine fertility clinics and illegal ear cropping.
“This investigation is a wake-up call to government to take urgent action to protect the welfare of these animals by introducing regulation for fertility clinics as well as banning the importation of dogs with cropped ears through the Kept Animals Bill. Such a ban would close the legal loophole that allows this trend to continue despite the procedure being illegal in the UK.
“The public also has an important role to play in stemming the tide of irresponsible breeding. Responsible pet ownership begins even before you get a puppy, so we’d encourage anyone looking to buy a dog to pick health over looks or the latest fashion and always speak to your vet for advice.
“Use the free Puppy Contact to help guide you on the questions you should be asking a breeder, to ensure you’re getting a healthy, happy puppy from a responsible source. We encourage people to report concerns around dogs with cropped ears and unregulated fertility clinics to their local government authority.”
BVA is calling on vets and members of the public to download its template letter and send it to their local MP, urging them to call on the Government to deliver its promised commitment to animal health and welfare by ensuring the continuation of the crucial and long-awaited Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill through Parliament. Download the template letter: https://www.bva.co.uk/take-action/kept-animals-bill/
