Police are asking for help to trace a 17-year-old teenager last seen in Leith. Aaron Strachan was last seen around 5pm in Leith Walk on Thursday (21 April). He is described as around 5ft 11, of average build, with short brown hair.
When last seen he was wearing a green/blue puffer style jacket, grey jogging bottoms and black Nike trainers.
Anyone who has seen Aaron or knows where he might be is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting reference number 0696 of Thursday, 21 April, 2022.
Chief Constable Iain Livingstone welcomed 297 new probationary Constables to Police Scotland and thanked them for their commitment to public service during an oath of office ceremony at Police Scotland Headquarters, Tulliallan yesterday.
The recruits made the Police Constable’s declaration to faithfully discharge their duties with fairness, integrity, diligence and impartiality, and promised to uphold fundamental human rights under the authority of Justice of the Peace, Dr Vicki Nash.
Chief Constable Livingstone said: “Our officers come from the diverse communities we serve and from who draw our legitimacy. What unites us in Police Scotland are our values and a shared mission to keep people safe.
“As Chief Constable, I welcome our new Constables and thank them for stepping forward to make what is a significant commitment to public service and to underline the values and behaviours they must uphold and promote.
“Policing is a demanding but rewarding vocation. The oath of office ceremony is an important opportunity to emphasise that Constables who discharge their duties in accordance with our values and their oath have my support as Chief Constable, and the support of the Police Service of Scotland.”
The intake, made up of 56% male recruits and 44% female, ranges in age from 19 to 52, with the majority falling in the 25 – 34 years age bracket.
Of the intake, 10% identified as being from a minority ethnic group, totalling 29 officers, and languages spoken fluently by recruits include Polish, Romanian, Norwegian, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi, Persian and Chinese Mandarin.
Six of the recruits were previously serving Special Constables with Police Scotland, two were members of Police Staff, and 17 of the new constables have previous military service.
Chief Constable Livingstone said: “Recruiting officers who share our values and reflect and represent all our communities is vital to maintain and enhance our crucial bond of trust with the public we serve.
“We have a positive moral and legal duty to improve the lives of our fellow citizens. This includes being representative of the communities we serve, making us accessible and approachable. The increasing diversity of our recruits continues to help our organisation to do this.”
The new recruits will undertake 12 weeks of initial training before joining colleagues serving communities across Scotland during a two-year probationary period.
The Chief Constable spoke earlier this year of the measures taken in response to the COVID pandemic as well as the need to provide effective policing during the COP26 climate change summit. This included amending intakes and initial training, meaning overall officer numbers were lower than would otherwise be the case.
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 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
Edinburgh Division officers will be at Cramond Beach today (Tuesday 19th April) 11am – 1pm to offer advice on #HateCrime and how to report it.
Come along and say hello – Don’t accept hate! Report it! It WILL be taken seriously!
Call 101 or visit http://ow.ly/TUet50IIJPi.
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 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
TUESDAY 19th APRIL 6.30 – 8.30pm
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.”
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.
