A 40-year-old woman has been arrested and charged in connection with robberies at premises on Portobello High Street.
The first incident happened around 4.55pm on Saturday, 31 January, 2026 and the second around 10.40am on Sunday, 1 February, 2026.
She is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today – Tuesday, 3 February, 2026.
POLICE are appealing for information following a robbery at a premises in Portobello on Saturday, 31 January.
The incident happened around 4.55pm on Portobello High Street when a woman entered a shop, threatened a staff member and made off with a three-figure sum of money.
The woman is described as white, 30 to 40-years-old, around 5ft 4ins and of thin build. She was wearing a black puffer style jacket with the hood up, dark trousers and a purple headband. She spoke with a local accent.
Detective Constable Luke Wilson said: “Thankfully no one was injured but the staff member was left very shaken and upset by what happened.
“We are asking anyone in the area at the time who can help with our investigation to get in touch. Please check any private CCTV to see if anything has been captured that could assist officers.”
Anyone who can help is asked to call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 2197 of Saturday, 31 January, 2026, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
POLICE are asking for help to find Husayin Simsek, 50, last seen around 8pm on Dalry Rd on Sunday 18th January and reported missing on Friday 30th January.
He is described as around 6ft, of athletic build with black hair. It is not known what he may be wearing.
Husayin is known to have access to a white BMW series 3 saloon, registration YA69 KWF, and officers are keen to trace this vehicle.
Inspector Ross Nicol said: “We are asking anyone who has seen him or knows where he might be to get in touch.
“Anyone who can help is asked not to approach Husayin but to call Police Scotland immediately on 101, quoting incident number 3339 of Friday, 29 January, 2026.”
A female was arrested on 28th of January in Edinburgh city centre wanted on multiple warrants for theft shoplifting. Working in conjunction with Essential Edinburgh, CCTV and security officers in the city centre, the female was identified in a busy shopping area and arrested.
It was confirmed that she had committed a further two theft by shoplifting offences that morning. After appearing at court, she was remanded awaiting trial for 22 outstanding charges of theft by shoplifting for high value items.
In recent weeks, the Edinburgh #RetailCrimeTaskforce have arrested 29 persons for theft by shoplifting and charged them with over 350 offences.
We will continue to work in partnership with retailers and the public to target those choose to commit retail crime as it is #NotAVictimlessCrime.
If you have any information relating to retail crime or the resale of stolen property, please report this to the police or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at https://orlo.uk/lZlFY
Come along and have a chat with your Forth Community Police Officers!
We’ll be at Morrisons, Pilton Drive North this Saturday (31st January) between 10:30 and 12:00.
Pop by to say hello, raise any concerns or just have a friendly chat.
POLICE are appealing for the public’s help to trace 60-year-old Alison Gibbens who has been reported missing in Edinburgh.
Alison was last seen on North Gyle Avenue around 10.30am this morning – Monday, 26 January, 2026.
She is described as white, around 5ft 3in tall, of slim build, with brown hair. When last seen, Alison was wearing a black jacket.
Inspector Caroline Herbert said: “Concerns for Alison are growing and we are keen to trace her as soon as possible.
“We are appealing to anyone who has seen her, or has any information on where she may be, to come forward.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting reference 1103 of Monday, 26 January, 2026.
A man has been jailed for five and a half years for the attempted murder of a teenager in the Portobello area of Edinburgh.
Amar Mudawi, 22, pled guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh on Tuesday, 16 December, 2025. He was sentenced yesterday, 23 January, 2026, at the same court.
Around 10.55pm on Saturday, 12 April, 2025, officers were called to Mentone Avenue following a report of a 17-year-old male youth who had been found seriously injured following a disturbance on Bath Street. He was taken to hospital for treatment.
Detective Inspector Steven Dick said: “This was a serious and violent attack which could have had fatal consequences for the young victim.
“Violence of this nature will not be tolerated, and we continue to take action against those involved in such criminal behaviour.”
POLICE are appealing for information following a serious assault in Edinburgh.
Around 4.35pm on Friday, 16 January, 2026, police received a report of the serious assault of a 20-year-old man at a bus stop on Nicholson Street.
The suspect approached the victim and seriously assaulted him, before making off towards Nicholson Square.
The suspect is described as white, of stocky build, around 6ft 2ins and aged between 25 and 32. At the time he was wearing a long black Nike coat, a black hoodie with his hood up, black trousers and dark coloured shoes.
The 20-year-old man was taken to hospital for treatment.
Detective Constable Gary Lipscombe said: “This incident left a man with serious injuries, and extensive enquiries are ongoing to trace the person responsible.
“We know that the area was very busy at the time and would encourage anyone who witnessed the incident and has yet to speak to officers to come forward.
“Anyone with information, or concerns, is asked to contact officers locally or call 101, quoting incident number 2461 of 16 January, 2026.
“Alternatively, information can be passed to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
Two males, aged 17 and 15, have been arrested and charged after a report of people with bladed weapons seen in Edinburgh city centre yesterday.
Officers, including specialist firearms officers, were called to Rose Street around 2.55pm on Friday, 16 January, 2026.
No one was reported as injured.
The 17-year-old is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, 19 January.
The 15-year-old will be reported to the relevant youth justice authorities.
Detective Inspector Alan Sharp said: “We are grateful for the support shown by the public to our investigation so far.
“Further enquiries remain ongoing to establish the full circumstances. I would urge anyone who may have been in the area at the time and has not yet spoken to police to get in touch.
“You can call 101, quoting reference 1999 of 16 January, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
A 45-year-old man has been sentenced to life imprisonment following the death of a man in Edinburgh.
Paul Menzies was found guilty of the murder of a 53-year-old man, Brian Ramsay, today (Wednesday, 14 January, 2026), following a trial at Edinburgh High Court.
He was sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 18 years.
Officers were called to Westfield Road in the city centre around 12.55pm on Friday, 7 June, 2024, following concern for a man within a property. Mr Ramsay was pronounced dead at the scene.
Detective Chief Inspector David McAlinden said: “This was a violent attack that cost Brian Ramsay his life, and Menzies will now face the consequences of his despicable actions.
“While this conviction cannot change what has happened, I hope it gives Brian’s family and friends some closure.
“I want to reassure the public that violent incidents such as this will not be tolerated in our communities, and our officers will continue to work tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice.”
