Tag: Police Scotand

Appeal for witnesses following sexual assaults in Stockbridge area

POLICE are appealing for information following three sexual assaults in the Stockbridge area of Edinburgh last Friday (12 December).

Around 5.20pm on Fettes Row, a woman was approached from behind by a man who sexually assaulted her and made sexual comments.

Around 5.30pm on Inverleith Row, a woman was walking her dog when a man approached her from behind and sexually assaulted her. He then walked down Inverleith Row towards Dundas Street.

A short time later, a woman was walking past Stockbridge church on Saxe Coburg Street when a man approached her, sexually assaulted her and exposed himself.

Officers believe the same man to have been involved in these incidents. He is described as being of Asian appearance, aged between 25 and mid-30s, of slim build, around 5ft 8in, with light facial hair.

He was wearing a khaki or brown coloured coat and carried a backpack.

Detective Inspector Dougal Begg said: “I understand incidents like these cause concern in the local community, but we are carrying out extensive enquiries and doing everything we can to trace the man responsible.

“I would ask anyone who was in those areas on Friday evening and who may have witnessed something to get in touch. If you remember seeing a man matching the description, contact us.”

Chief Inspector Ran MacDonald, Local Area Commander, said: “I want to reassure that there will be an increased visible police presence in the local area as officers carry out enquiries. Anyone with any concerns should approach officers without hesitation, as they are there to help.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting incident 2889 of 12 December.

Police appeal following series of high-value car thefts 

POLICE are appealing for information following a series of linked high-value car thefts across Edinburgh, Glasgow, the Lothians and Borders.

Between Tuesday, 15 July, and Thursday, 7 August, several vehicles, including BMWs, Audis and a Mini were stolen from various residential addresses.

Details of the thefts are as follows:

Polwarth Terrace, Edinburgh – Between 2am and 3am on Tuesday, 15 July, a white BMW M340i, registration EH10 JEN and a black/red Mini Clubman, registration, EA20 SXT were stolen. Incident 0781 of 15 July

The Orchard, Berwick-upon-Tweed – Between 8pm on Monday, 4 August, and 7.30am on Tuesday, 5 August, a white BMW X3, registration VGZ 4001 was stolen. Incident 0632 of 5 August.

Matthews Drive, Newtongrange, Midlothian – Between 11.30pm on Tuesday, 5 August, and 12.30am on Wednesday, 6 August, black Audi A6, registration RE59 TKA, and a black Audi Q5, registration KS20 KNA, were stolen. Incident 0923 of 6 August.

Norman McLeod Crescent, Glasgow – Between 11.30pm on Tuesday, 5 August, and 12.30am on Wednesday, 6 August, a grey BMW M4, registration SF25 JJK and a grey BMW M3 Competition, registration SH23 WXT, were taken. Incident 0365 and 0358 of 6 August.

Gilsland Grange, North Berwick – Between 1am and 2am on Thursday, 7 August, a grey Audi RS3, registration EJ18 WGO, was stolen. Incident 0503 of 7 August.

Detective Sergeant Will Dickson said: “Extensive enquiries are ongoing to trace those responsible for these thefts and recover the stolen cars.

“Our investigation so far suggests that the cars may be in the Edinburgh area, although they could be displaying cloned or false number plates.

“If you’ve seen any cars matching the make and model of those described in your area and believe them to be out of place, or noticed any suspicious activity in relation to them, please get in touch.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting the relevant incident number or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Four thieves arrested and charged for retail crimes across Edinburgh

Four men have been charged with more than 30 retail crime offences following enforcement carried out in Edinburgh.

On Tuesday (4 August) local officers, acting on intelligence gathered by the Retail Crime Taskforce, arrested a 45-year-old and 37-year-old in connection with 21 shoplifting incidents from supermarkets and convenience stores in Causewayside and Marchmont.

A 36-year-old man was also arrested for five shopliftings that took place at supermarkets in Gorgie and Chesser, while a 41-year-old was arrested in connection with five separate warrants that were all in relation to shoplifting offences in the Chesser and Gorgie areas.

Inspector David Duthie said: “These arrests are further example of the successful collaboration between divisional officers and Retail Crime Taskforce colleagues to address retail crime within the Capital.

“All reports of retail crime are treated with the utmost seriousness, and whether it’s one shoplifting incident, or several, we will use all resources at our disposal to bring offenders to justice.”

Have you seen Calvin?

POLICE are appealing for the assistance of the public in tracing 14-year-old Calvin Whyte who has been missing from his home in Musselburgh since Wednesday, 30 July, 2025.

He is described as white, around 5ft 7ins and of slim build with short, dark-coloured hair. When he was last seen he was wearing a grey Adidas tracksuit with a black, grey and white McKenzie bodywarmer. He wears black framed glasses and was carrying a black satchel.

Calvin is known to frequent East Lothian, Midlothian and Edinburgh. He also visits Glasgow and North Lanarkshire regularly.

Inspector Keith Watson said: “We are becoming increasingly concerned for Calvin’s safety and wellbeing. We want to trace him as soon as possible to ensure that he is safe and well.

“Officers are carrying out searches and enquiries in Musselburgh, Edinburgh and areas he frequents. I would urge anyone who has seen Calvin to contact us as soon as possible. I would also ask Calvin himself, if he sees this appeal, to please get in contact with police or a family member.”

Any information should be passed to 101 quoting incident number 2477 of 30 July.

Man remanded following offences in Holyrood Park

POLICE APPEAL FOR INFORMATION

LAST Friday 18th April 2025, officers from Police Scotland charged an individual with a number of offences, including sexual exposure.

He appeared before Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Saturday 19th April 2025 and was remanded in custody.

These offences occurred around the area of Holyrood Park, Edinburgh between the 11th and 17th April.

If you were in the area during this period and have any information you think may be relevant to the enquiry, please contact Police Scotland quoting incident number PS-20250411-1138.

#KeepingPeopleSafe

Man convicted of embezzlement

Gordon Couch (57), was yesterday found guilty at Edinburgh Sheriff Court of Embezzlement after a three-week long trial.

Mr Couch has been convicted of embezzling £170,000 of funds from Marjorie Stewart, from Edinburgh, both prior to and after her death in September 2013 when he was acting as her Independent Financial Advisor, was her Power of Attorney and the Executor of her Will which afforded him trusted access to funds.

An investigation was launched in 2016 after Mrs Stewart’s family raised concerns about Mr Couch’s conduct including the misappropriation of funds.

Mr Couch had by this time moved to Hong Kong and officers began efforts to secure his return to the UK to face charges. He was finally arrested in 2019 after returning to the UK.

Detective Sergeant Craig Potter said: “This was a complex case covering a large number of years where the power and control afforded to one person was able to be abused.

“Marjorie Stewart’s family were key to uncovering the misappropriation and have shown exemplary conduct throughout the long wait for the case to come to court. Hopefully all the witnesses are afforded some closure by today’s verdict.”

Should you have criminal concerns with regard to Power of Attorney or financial issues, police should be contacted.

If you have concerns about anyone carrying out any of the roles for someone else then advice can always be sought from the relevant regulatory body:

Independent Financial Advisors – Financial Conduct Authority

Power of Attorney – Office of the Public Guardian

Executors – Law Society of Scotland

Appeal after body found near burnt out motorbike

Police are appealing for witnesses following the death of a man found near Cousland in Midlothian on Sunday (17 January).

A report was received relating to an off-road motorcycle on fire on land off Hadfast Road in the Midlothian village around 9.20am on Sunday.

Emergency services attended and the body of a man was found near the motorcycle.

The death is being treated as unexplained and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.

Work is also ongoing to formally identify the man who has died.

Detective Chief Inspector Bryan Burns, of Lothian & Borders CID, said: “We are carrying out extensive enquiries in order to establish exactly what has happened prior to the man being found dead during the morning of Sunday, 17 January.

“He was found on a path in woodland to the west of the village of Cousland where it runs under the A68 road, which we know is regularly used by locals.

“We are appealing to anyone who may have seen a fire or heard any activity in the area overnight or in the early hours of Sunday to get in touch.

“We would also be keen to speak to anyone who may have been driving in the area around Cousland or on the A68 who may have seen the fire or who may have dashcam footage.

“If you have any information you can call 101, quoting incident 0931 of 17 January.”

A 24-year-old man has been arrested in connection with an assault as part of this investigation. A report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal and he was due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Tuesday, 19 January, 2021.

Restalrig Circus incident update: dead woman named

Police have confirmed the identity of the woman who died following a disturbance at an address in Restalrig Circus, Edinburgh, on Friday, 24 January, 2020 at 6.50pm.

She was 79-year-old Margaret Grant.

Officers are looking to trace a man they believe entered the property and assaulted Margaret with the intention of stealing from her.

It is believed this was a targeted attack, and that the man responsible may have known Margaret by name. The man was disturbed and left the scene on foot.

Margaret was taken to hospital by ambulance, but died later that night. (Friday, 24 January, 2020)

The death is being treated as suspicious and officers remain at the scene, as enquiries continue to try and establish the full circumstances surrounding her death.

The suspect is described as white, aged between 20 and 30-years-old, about 5ft 6ins tall with combed long black hair and a Scottish accent. He was wearing a black top which may have had white lower sleeves, and dark trousers.

Detective Chief Inspector Kevin Houliston, from the Major Investigation Team, said: “This was a cowardly and despicable attack on an elderly woman within her home. It is imperative anyone with any information about what happened makes contact with us so we can find the man responsible.

“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Margaret at this difficult time.”

Anyone who may have been in the Restalrig Circus area on Friday evening, or who recognises the description of the man are urged to get in touch with officers as soon as possible on 101, quoting incident number 3175 of 24 January.

Information can also be given anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.