Tag: Police Scotland

Missing man Stuart Campbell: Police issue renewed appeal

Police investigating the disappearance of Stuart Campbell have issued a fresh appeal for witnesses to come forward.

Stuart (36) was last seen in the Barn Park area of Wester Hailes, around 4pm on Tuesday, 22 March, 2022. It has now been four weeks since he went missing.

Stuart’s mother Jane said : “Stuart, if you are reading this please get in touch. All your family and friends are worried about you and want you home safe.

“If anyone has seen Stuart or knows where he is please get in touch with myself or the police.

“It’s been nearly four weeks now and we all want you home safe and well.”

Chief Inspector Mark Hamilton, Area Commander for South West Edinburgh said : “Over the last four weeks local officers supported by specialist teams from Police Scotland have continued to search for Stuart.

“We are increasingly concerned for his well-being and have carried out open searches in Barn Park, Clovenstone, Union Canal, Water of Leith and Colinton Dell in effort to trace him and further searches are continuing in the surrounding areas.

“Officers are also carrying out further house to house enquiries and have been asking residents in Wester Hailes if they have any information that could assist them with their enquiries. We are also identifying further CCTV opportunities in the area and in particular would welcome assistance from local businesses or residents who may have private CCTV.

“Stuart is described as being 5ft 10in tall, with short brown hair. He was last seen wearing a dark-coloured jacket, green hooded top with white ties and grey jogging bottoms.

“Anyone who knows where Stuart is or who has information that could assist in tracing him should call 101 quoting 1205 of 28 March or speak to any police officer.”

Police Scotland to hold online recruitment event this evening

Tuesday 19th April 6.30pm – 8.30pm on MS Teams

Police Scotland Positive Action Team will be hosting an online information event aimed at the ethnic minorities in Scotland tonight.

This event will give attendees a fantastic opportunity to hear from serving ethnic minority police officers and their experiences.

The event will also focus on the recruitment process and the training, with a unique insight into life at the Scottish Police College at Tulliallan from the minority groups perspective.

To sign up, please email: RecruitmentPositiveActionTeam@scotland.police.uk

Fatal road crash near Balerno: Do you have information?

Road policing officers are appealing for information following a one car fatal road crash on the A70 near Balerno.

The incident happened around 7.05am on Saturday (16 April), and involved a black VW Passat.

Emergency services attended and the driver, a 58-year-old man, was pronounced dead at the scene. His family are aware.

Sergeant Nicola Young said: “Our thoughts are very much with the family of the man who died and our investigation to establish the full circumstances is ongoing.

“We are appealing to anyone who may have seen the vehicle before the crash or who has dash-cam footage that might help with our enquiries to get in touch.”

If you can help please contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0771 of Saturday, 16 April, 2022.

Police appeal after boy is sexually assaulted in toilet at The Meadows

Police are appealing for the help of the public after a teenage boy was sexually assaulted in The Meadows.

The incident happened around 4.30pm on Friday (15 April) in the public toilets at the east side of The Meadows near Hope Park Terrace.

A 14-year-old boy was approached by a man and sexually assaulted. A member of the public entered the toilets and the man left and walked off towards the crossroads at Hope Park Terrace.

The suspect is described as white, around 5ft 6ins, of slim build, with white stubble and aged around 70-years-old. He was wearing a dark jacket and trousers and a flat cap. He also used a walking stick.

Detective Inspector Grant Paterson said: “This attack has left the teenage boy exceptionally upset. We have officers on patrol in the area and if anyone has any concerns please speak to them or call us.

“This part of The Meadows would have been busy and I am asking anyone who saw this man or who may know who he is to get in touch.

“In particular, I am asking the member of the public who walked into the toilets as this was happening to get in touch. You may have information that is vital to our enquiries.”

Anyone who can help is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 2466 of Friday, 15 April. Or make a call anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

Police appeal for witnesses following Westside Plaza hit and run

Police are appealing for witnesses after a man was hit by a car at Westside Plaza, in Wester Hailes. The incident happened around 9.30am yesterday (Thursday 14 April 2022) and is being treated as attempted murder.

The 45-year-old is currently in a serious condition in The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.

Detective Inspector George Calder from CID at Corstorphine Police Station said: “The vehicle did not stop after the incident, but has now been recovered by officers, we are still trying to trace the occupants.

“We appeal to anyone who was in the area at the time, or has dash cam footage of the incident to come forward.

“Anyone with any information is asked to contact 101 quoting incident 0742 of 14 April 2022.”

Jail for Edinburgh man involved in serious and organised crime

An Edinburgh man has been sentenced to more than nine years for drugs and organised crime offences.

Shaun McKinnon (35) was sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh today for his involvement in the supply of drugs and serious and organised crime. He is also subject to a Serious Crime Prevention Order for a period of 3 years.

He pled guilty at the High Court in Glasgow on Thursday, 17 February, 2022, when he appeared alongside his co-accused Samantha McCafferty (35) who pled guilty at an earlier date. McCafferty received 200 hours community service.


Detective Inspector Robert Campbell said: “I would personally like to acknowledge and praise the bravery of the victims who refused to let fear and intimidation stop them from speaking out.

“The arrests of McKinnon and McCafferty were achieved through painstaking work and dogged determination by officers working on the investigation. Their efforts have ensured that McKinnon is no longer in a position where he can bring harm to the local people of South Edinburgh.”

If you have any information or concerns about drug misuse or wider criminality in your area, do not hesitate to contact Police Scotland via 101 or report it anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Security operatives face realistic terror scenarios in nightclub exercise

A counter-terrorism emergency planning exercise in Glasgow yesterday saw security operatives dealing with realistic terror scenarios presented by actors.

The Security Industry Authority (SIA), which is the regulator for the private security industry, ran the safety resilience exercise at Kokomo on Glasgow’s West Regent Street. The SIA organised the exercise, which is the first of its kind in Scotland, in partnership with Police Scotland counter-terrorism officers and Glasgow City Council.

The training event at Kokomo confronted security staff with a series of real-time simulations, involving actors, of possible emergency scenarios. These included a mass stabbing, an acid attack, a marauding terrorist attack taking place outside the club, and a suspect package.

Ronnie Megaughin, the SIA’s Acting Director of Inspections & Enforcement, said: “Putting these security operatives into realistic terror scenarios is one of the best ways to prepare them in the event of a real-life incident.

“We stage a terror incident, watch how they deal with the scenario, and then provide an instant debrief from counter-terror experts. We know from past experience that operatives, and their managers, really appreciate what they learn from these events and find them worth their while.

“Any of these security staff could find themselves as the first responder at a serious incident, and this training could literally be the difference between life and death.

Lee Crofts, the SIA Criminal Investigation manager who co-ordinated the event, said: “The main aim of exercises like this is to enhance public safety in the night-time economy by working with venues and security staff.

“It’s also to showcase best practice by putting the Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) security e-learning package, which we’ve been recommending to all SIA-licensed operatives, into practice. We’re really pleased with the commitment that all the security staff put into the Kokomo exercise.”

This emergency planning exercise at Kokomo continues a programme of exercises and follows on from events in Chesterfield and London in autumn 2021. A pilot event took place at Buxton in Derbyshire in October 2019.

The Security Industry Authority is the organisation responsible for regulating the private security industry in the United Kingdom, reporting to the Home Secretary under the terms of the Private Security Industry Act 2001. Our main duties are: the compulsory licensing of individuals undertaking designated activities; and managing the voluntary Approved Contractor Scheme.

For further information about the Security Industry Authority visit www.gov.uk/sia. The SIA is also on Facebook (Security Industry Authority) and Twitter (SIAuk).

‘Time For Action’: Tyre Extinguishers target New Town’s ‘killer vehicles’

Up to one hundred SUV vehicles in Edinburgh’s New Yown have been targeted by activists from environmental action group The Tyre Activists.

The activists deflated tyres on 4 x 4 vehicles across the affluent area and left leaflets on windscreens to explain their actions.

The group justifies their activities on a Facebook Page:

‘We are people from all walks of life with one aim: To make it impossible to own a huge polluting 4×4 in the world’s urban areas.

‘We are defending ourselves against climate change, air pollution and unsafe drivers.We do this with a simple tactic: Deflating the tyres of these massive, unnecessary vehicles, causing inconvenience and expense for their owners.

‘Deflating tyres repeatedly and encouraging others to do the same will turn the minor inconvenience of a flat tyre into a giant obstacle for driving massive killer vehicles around our streets.

‘We’re taking this action because governments and politicians have failed to protect us from these huge vehicles. Everyone hates them, apart from the people who drive them.

‘We want to live in towns and cities with clean air and safe streets. Politely asking and protesting for these things has failed. It’s time for action. Join us.

‘We have no leader – anyone can take part, wherever you are, using the simple instructions on this website.’

Police enquiries are ongoing.