Two men have been arrested and charged following a disturbance in the Clermiston area of Edinburgh on Sunday, 7 March.
Around 5pm police received a number calls regarding an ongoing incident in the Clermiston Park and Clermiston Gardens areas.
A 17-year-old man and a 27-year-old man have been arrested and charged in connection with alleged possession of offensive weapons.
They were due to appear before Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday and a report was submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.
Further enquiries are ongoing into the wider disturbance involving a group of youths which occurred on Sunday evening, and police are appealing for any witnesses to come forward.
The two men will also be the subject of a report to the Procurator Fiscal in connection with the serious assault of a 48-year-old man in Drum Brae South around 3.25pm on Thursday, 4 March.
Chief Inspector Sarah Taylor, Local Area Commander for North West Edinburgh, said: “This type of mindless, irresponsible and reckless criminal behaviour will not be tolerated in our community and there will be additional patrols in the area.
“We are aware of ongoing issues with antisocial behaviour which is completely unacceptable, particularly in the midst of a pandemic when people are being told to stay at home. Local officers are working with partners to address these issues and proactively put a stop to this.
“I would urge anyone with information or concerns regarding antisocial behaviour to contact Police Scotland through 101, or speak to officers out on patrol.
“Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Always dial 999 when a crime is in progress.”
A 38-year-old man has been arrested and charged in relation to this incident and is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court tomorrow (Wednesday, 17 March, 2021).
Detective Inspector Bob Campbell said: “We are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen a black Dacia Sondero vehicle in the vicinity of Wester Drylaw Drive on the afternoon of Tuesday 9 March and in particular to the occupants of a small white VW Caddy van that was seen in the area at this time.
“I also urge motorists with dash cams to check their footage as they may have captured images which would assist our investigation.
“There will be additional patrols in the area and local residents are encouraged to speak to these officers if they have any information or concerns as it is vital that we trace everyone responsible.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland via 101 quoting incident number 1880 of 9 March 2021. Alternatively, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.
THE ORIGINAL STORY:
An investigation is under way after a man was found injured in Wester Drylaw.
At around 3.45pm on Tuesday (9 March 2021) a 35-year-old man was found injured by a member of the public in Wester Drylaw Drive. The man was seriously injured and was taken to hospital where he is receiving treatment for head, leg and arm injuries.
Officers attended and carried out door-to-door enquiries to establish what had happened. The location of the attack is believed to be within a rear garden of one of the properties on Wester Drylaw Drive.
Detectives are also checking CCTV footage from in and around the surrounding areas for any additional information on the incident .At this stage, detectives do not know who is responsible, whether it was a single person attack or if a group of people attacked the man.
Detective Inspector Bob Campbell said: “The motive for this attack is unknown and we are still working to establish exactly what has happened.
It’s clear from the man’s injuries that he has been assaulted and we need to find out who is responsible and why. I am appealing to members of the public who were in the area around the time of the incident to contact us.
“I would also ask motorists with dash cams to check their footage as they may have captured images which would assist our investigation.”
Chief Inspector Sarah Taylor said: “I know there will be concerns around this incident and I would like to reassure local residents that we will have additional officers on patrol.
“It is imperative we trace whoever is responsible for this attack and we can do that with the support and co-operation of local people, so I would urge anyone with information to get in touch with us.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland via 101 quoting incident number 1880 of 9 March 2021. Alternatively, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.
Police are appealing for the public’s help to trace items which were stolen from an address in the New Town area.
The theft took place between 11.30am and 12.45pm on Saturday February 6 2021, during which these distinctive cameras were stolen:
• Canon 5D Mark III worth a 4-figure sum. Peak design camera strap, black with red attachments. Body serial number 185025000491. Lens serial number 06947041.
• Canon AE-1P worth a 3-figure sum. Peak design camera strap, black with red attachments.
Anyone who may have seen these items since that date, or has information on where they may be now, is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident number 2374 of 06/02/21 or anonymously via the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their Anonymous Online Form at crimestoppers-uk.org.
Police are appealing for witnesses after a bus driver was assaulted by a youth in Drum Brae.
Around 10pm last Friday (5 March), a number 26 bus was travelling along Drum Brae Drive towards Corstorphine Hill when it came to a halt at a bus stop.
A group of youths were attempting to tamper with the bus from outside, and when the driver got off to stop them, he was assaulted by one. He is described as 6ft tall, of slim build and wearing a black jacket.
The suspect was part of a group of youths, three males and one female, all aged between 15 and 18 years of age.
Inspector Johnny Elliott of Drylaw Police Station said: “This was an unprovoked assault on a man who was simply trying to do his job and it is vital we trace the individuals involved.
“I am appealing for anyone who was in the area on Friday evening and either witnessed the incident, or noticed a group of youths matching the above description behaving suspiciously, to get in touch.
“I would also ask any motorists with dash-cams who were on the roads at the time to please check their footage in case they have captured anything which could be of significance.
“Anyone with information should contact police on 101, quoting incident number 3774 of 5 March. Alternatively, you can contact the Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
UPDATE 12.03.21
A 14-year-old boy has been charged in relation to assaulting a Bus Driver.
The incident happened on Friday 05/03/21 on Drum Brae Drive after a group of youths attempted to tamper with the bus, causing the driver to leave the vehicle in order to stop them.
The row over the behaviour of Rangers fans celebrating their Scottish Premiership title win and flouting coronavirus laws rumbled on today.
Before delivering the latest coronavirus figures, Deputy First Minister Mr Swinney said: “I have to address yesterday’s events in Glasgow.
“All of us recognise that winning the league was a special moment for Rangers Football Club – and before I say more I want to congratulate the club on their success and thank all those fans who celebrated at home, and who followed the rules.
“But the behaviour of some fans has been an absolute disgrace, and has undoubtedly cast a shadow over what should have been a special day for the team.
“The success that we’ve have had in recent weeks in reducing case numbers is because so many people across Scotland have stuck to extremely tough rules, which are designed to prevent the spread of the virus between different households.
“To see so many people deliberately flouting these rules with no regard for the safety of others, is shameful. Events like yesterday risk spreading the virus.
“And they show no regard or respect at all for the millions of households across Scotland who have been sticking to the rules – who haven’t been able to meet up with friends and families, to fully celebrate birthdays and other milestones, or in some cases to attend funeral services of their loved ones.
“The Government and Police Scotland reminded Rangers of the need for the club to advice fans to adhere to the current restrictions in discussions on 26 February and 5 March. It is a matter of profound regret that that did not happen.
“The Scottish Government will be making our extreme disappointment at the lack of leadership clear to the team management, and we will be speaking to all the authorities about what further assurance they can give to us ahead of future planned games.
“I also understand that many people have questions as to the preparation for and the nature of the Policing that took place yesterday – and why they did not prevent people from gathering.
“I understand the anger of those living and working in the city centre at what they saw, and at what took place.
“Policing of such occasions requires difficult operational judgements to be arrived at by Police Scotland.
“The Justice Secretary has spoken to the Chief Constable and to Rangers FC, and will be doing so again – to understand why the events of yesterday took place as they did; what actions are now being taken to identify those responsible; and what more can be done to try to ensure we do not see repeats of those scenes at upcoming events.“
Rangers issued the following statement at lunchtime:
‘DURING the last number of weeks, Rangers can confirm that we initiated open dialogue with key stakeholders in relation to the possibility of us achieving a historic 55th league title.
‘We have proactively engaged with our local MP, the Justice Minister, the Scottish Government, Police Scotland and the SPFL in relation to maintaining a cohesive message regarding public safety during the Covid-19 pandemic.
‘We understand the jubilance of our support across the world who recognise this has been a historic year for the club.
‘Nevertheless, it has been of great frustration for all football fans across the world that they have not been able to watch their team within stadiums, especially for the loyal Rangers season-ticket holders who have stood by this football club through thick and thin in the last decade.
‘We reiterate the message from our manager, Steven Gerrard, who highlighted that fans should adhere to government guidelines – stay safe, socially distance and look after each other in this difficult time.
‘We are aware there is the possibility of more, significant milestones within this season, and we will continue to proactively engage with key stakeholders to maintain a cohesive message in relation to government guidance at this present time.
‘We look forward to further open dialogue with the government, police, SPFL and other key stakeholders.’
Police Scotland rowed in with another statement this evening:
Deputy Chief Constable Malcolm Graham said: “The behaviour which we saw at the weekend was disgraceful and I utterly condemn the individuals who chose to completely disregard the coronavirus regulations, putting both the wider community and our officers at risk.
“I also strongly condemn the lack of support from Rangers Football Club over the messages we repeatedly asked them to put out to persuade fans not to go out celebrating and encourage those who did gather in large numbers to return home.
“We’ve been planning for the conclusion of the football season for some time since the league was allowed to resume and the sport is in a very privileged position given the restrictions seen across the country for almost a year.
“It was very clear through the lack of messaging that Rangers did not take seriously their responsibilities in terms of seeking to persuade their fans to celebrate safely and responsibly.
“I commend the officers who delivered a policing operation which was entirely consistent with our approach throughout this pandemic to maintain public safety and minimise disorder, disruption and damage to property.
“They did this faced with considerable danger, all of which was completely unnecessary and avoidable.
“Where large numbers of people gather at an unplanned event such as this we use established crowd control measures to ensure we are keeping the public safe and manage those who are refusing to disperse.
“We will work with football clubs, local authorities and the Scottish Government to ensure we do everything we can to persuade people that none of these scenes can be repeated as the football season continues.”
Police are appealing for witnesses following a one-vehicle crash which took place in the Newbridge area on Saturday (6 March).
The incident involved a white Suzuki car and happened on Cliftonhall Road around 8.10pm. The 40-year-old driver was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Sergeant Jill Kirkpatrick, from Police Scotland’s Road Policing Unit, said: “We’re appealing for anyone who may have been in the area and saw the crash, or who came upon the scene afterwards, to come forward.
“If you have any information, please contact police on 101, quoting incident 3608 of 6 March.”
Police are looking for ‘the person you least suspect’ after linking two attacks on young women in the South West of Edinburgh over five years ago.
On Thursday, 27 August, 2015, a 19-year-old woman got off a bus in Lanark Road West shortly after midnight.
A man approached her in the Newmills Road area and claimed he had a knife. He then led her to a nearby field, where she was raped.
Just over three weeks before on Wednesday, 5 August, 2015, a 21-year-old woman was grabbed from behind and sexually assaulted in Craiglockhart Quadrant.
She got off a bus in Colinton Road shortly before the attack around 10.30pm. The man responsible had not been on either bus.
DNA advancements have enabled investigators to establish that both attacks were carried out by the same person. Police have a full DNA profile for the man responsible but need the public’s help to find him.
Detectives are asking people to think back to August, 2015. At that time, Edinburgh’s Festival Fringe was taking place. The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo’s theme was East Meets West and marked the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.
Detective Inspector Jon Pleasance of Edinburgh Police Division said: “We believe we’re looking for the person you’d least suspect; someone whose community wouldn’t think is responsible for such horrific offences.
“We’re asking everyone, please think back to the summer of 2015. Was there someone in your life – a friend, family member or colleague – acting different? Was their behaviour around this time at all unusual for them?
“Don’t dismiss your concerns, no matter how small they seem. We have a full DNA profile of the person responsible and so can quickly and completely rule people out. Help us find who did this.”
Those with information can contact Police Scotland via 101 quoting incident number 0770 of 1 March, 2021, or pass tips anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Figures show 154 speed related collisions in Edinburgh and the Lothians in 2019
A powerful new campaign by The Scottish Government and Road Safety Scotland* to tackle the serious issue of speeding, has launched with a clear message for all drivers – There’s no excuse for speeding.
There were 154 speed related collisions in Edinburgh and the Lothians in 2019, with contributory factors including exceeding the speed limit, travelling too fast for the conditions and careless/reckless driving.1
Latest figures show that speed is a contributory factor in 15% of all fatal and serious collisions in Scotland – a total of 848 collisions, 42 fatalities and 244 serious injuries.2
The majority of people (at least occasionally) exceed the legal speed limit:
39% of people admit to exceeding the speed limit by 5mph in 30mph zones at least once in the past year
27% admit to exceeding the speed limit by 5mph in 20mph areas in the last year
40% of drivers think it is safe to exceed the speed limit slightly on motorways
11% admit to having driven at least once in the past year at 90mph on the motorway.3
Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, Michael Matheson said: “Speed is a key priority for the Scottish Government and an integral part of the Road Safety Framework to 2030. Speeding is a severe problem that causes too many fatal and serious collisions every year.
“A collision involving speed affects more than just you and your car – it also has an impact on your family, the victim’s family, the emergency services, and people who witness it. The message of this campaign is clear – speeding is always a risk. However you chose to try and justify it, it’s still speeding and there’s no excuse for it.”
Police Scotland officers hear many excuses from speeders:
The catalytic converter warning light had come on, so I was trying to clean it out
I`ve just bought the new “Call of Duty” and I`m desperate to get home and play it
Why didn`t you stop the car in front, he was going much faster than me
There were no workmen near the road
You should be here at nine o`clock, they are much faster
I was going to miss my Tee off time, it`s the club championship today.
The most common excuses include running out of petrol, the road being quiet, and other traffic also being perceived as exceeding the speed limit.
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Williams, Police Scotland,said: “The dangers of speeding are well known and have been shown time and again as being a significant factor in fatal and serious injury collisions.
“Every other day on our road Police Officers see first-hand the devastation that speed-related collisions can cause, the faster you drive the less time you have to react to hazards.
“There is no excuse for speeding and despite the clear risks involved, a minority of drivers are still willing to risk their lives and the lives of others. If you are caught speeding or you are involved in a collision, you could lose your licence, face a substantial fine and receive a criminal record which could result in you losing your job, or even a prison sentence, so the risks are not worth it.”
The Scotland-wide campaign highlights some of the excuses commonly used by drivers to justify their speeding behaviours, while reminding those behind the wheel that, if they’re caught, they could face severe penalties.
Running across multiple platforms including TV, radio and digital, the poignant new advert depicts the harrowing aftermath of a car crash while emphasising that it doesn’t matter if you think you’re only speeding ‘a little bit’ – there’s no excuse for speeding. You can watch the advert here.
Police have released images of a man they wish to speak to as they believe he may be able to assist with an investigation into an assault in Pilton last summer.
The incident took place on Boswall Parkway around 8pm on Tuesday 4 August 2020 and left a man with a facial injury.
The suspect is described as a white male, aged 35 to 45 years old, between 5’10 and 6ft, of medium build. He had short dark hair and was wearing a two tone jacket with a zip across the front, and dark trousers.
Detective Constable Zaira Marker from Corstorphine CID said: “We believe the man in the images may be able to help with our ongoing investigation. We are appealing for him, or anyone who may know him, to make contact with us as soon as possible.
”Anyone with any information can call Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident number 3381 of 4 August 2020, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
Police Scotland and charity I Am Me Scotland are today celebrating the first ever Keep Safe Awareness Day and showing #WeSupportKeepSafe.
Designed to highlight the efforts underway across Scotland to create safe, supportive communities for everyone, the day also aims to encourage more premises to become Keep Safe places – safe havens in villages, towns and cities for disabled or vulnerable people who may occasionally need assistance.
Since 2014, Police Scotland has been working in partnership with award winning community charity, I Am Me Scotland, to establish a network of Keep Safe places across the country.
The initiative works with businesses and community resource locations, like cafes, shops, libraries, museums or local authority premises and was designed in conjunction with disabled people who highlighted that sometimes they may feel lost, scared or vulnerable when out in the community.
All prospective Keep Safe places have to complete a criteria form which is checked and approved by Police Scotland. Staff then receive Keep Safe Awareness training and display the Keep Safe window sticker to make it clear they’re part of the network. Anyone who enters the premises as a Keep Safe place, will be offered help and support, if necessary.
Despite the initial intended use of Keep Safe places, many people now say they give them the confidence to participate in community life. People may use a Keep Safe shop or a Keep Safe café and never need to ask for help, however, they report feeling safe knowing staff can provide support, if needed.
Keep Safe places and Keep Safe cards are available for anyone to use, and can be particularly useful for people living with dementia, people who have hidden disabilities, or specific communication requirements, such as being non-verbal, or being deaf and using lip reading or sign language. The cards carry information about the holder’s health conditions, communication requirements and emergency contact details.
All Keep Safe places can be mapped out on the Keep Safe Scotland App. This free app enables people to plan journeys in advance, highlighting Keep Safe places en-route. Contact details and opening hours are available for all Keep Safe places, however, not all locations will be accessible as a result of the current coronavirus restrictions.
The App also provides a direct link to report non-emergency hate crimes to Police Scotland.
Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie (Partnerships, Preventions and Community Wellbeing) said: “As Police Scotland’s Champion for Keep Safe it’s phenomenal to see such a meaningful project being celebrated across the country. The number of sites registered is testament to the spirit within our communities and people’s willingness to help others.
“Keep Safe encourages publicly accessible premises to take the lead in joining the initiative, an action which can make a big difference to someone’s life by providing that safe space if and when it’s needed, and I encourage anyone thinking about becoming involved to do so.
“Police Scotland’s work with I Am Me Scotland also serves to educate people on disability hate crime, with a particular focus on working with young people through the Keep Safe Ambassadors and Supporters programmes.”
“Police Scotland and I Am Me Scotland have also worked with 15 partners to create the Understanding Disability booklet. It carries information about a range of disabilities and conditions and can be used to support staff in Keep Safe places to deliver their services.”
Jonathan Attenborough is a visually impaired guide dog user from Perth who is also a disability campaigner. He said: “The Keep Safe initiative is a fantastic scheme and will be especially useful for disabled people post lockdown.
“Sometimes when I’ve been out and about I could really do with somewhere to go to take some time out and gather my thoughts. It’s great having a reassurance of a Keep Safe place to go if needed.”
I Am Me charity founder Carol Burt-Wilson MBE said: “There are now nearly 900 Keep Safe places across Scotland and each of these public buildings, businesses and community groups are making a fantastic contribution to helping people feel safe and supported within their communities.
“Most people will never need to ask for support or assistance, but knowing there are places they can get help can give them the confidence to go out on their own and can help tackle social isolation.
“The partnership with Police Scotland has been incredibly effective in enabling the nationwide approach as this helps facilitate independent and safe travel across local authority boundaries.
“We will be working with British Transport Police in 2021 to extend the initiative across the rail network helping to encourage independent travel across Scotland, as and when coronavirus restrictions allow.
“COVID-19 has demonstrated the true value of community spirit across Scotland, with many Keep Safe partners diversifying and responding to offer support to local communities. Restrictions have also seen many temporary closures of Keep Safe places, so we are looking forward to doing everything we can to support these groups and businesses to recover, re-energise and continue their fantastic work to make their communities safer.”
Eileen Maclean, I Am Me Scotland Board of Trustees Chair, said: “The charity’s close collaboration with Police Scotland has ensured the benefits of the Keep Safe initiative are available across Scotland.
“We are very hopeful that this Awareness day will encourage others to get involved so that many more disabled and vulnerable people can feel that Keep Safe support is there in their communities if they need it.”
