Tag: Police Scotland

Charity urges Scots to speak up about those harming our countryside

Anonymity guaranteed to those who pass on information to Crimestoppers

The charity Crimestoppers – in partnership with Network Rail – is today launching a new campaign encouraging people to speak up about those causing harm and damage to Scotland’s countryside and their vital communities.

The initiative comes as the international tourist season returns following years of pandemic restriction.

Crimestoppers is independent of the police and gives the public an alternative option, namely, to pass on what they know about crime whilst never giving any personal details.

With many people planning trips to the countryside, the anticipated impact of large visitor numbers and effects of rural crime can be devastating to the environment.

Over 95% of Scotland is classed as rural and NFU Mutual estimate that rural crime costs Scotland around £1.8 million annually, with levels reportedly increasing.

Whilst the volume of crime in rural areas is lower than in urban locations, the consequences within a rural community or environment often has a much deeper and far-reaching impact, both on the victim and community as a whole.

Crimestoppers, together with Police Scotland and wider rural and environmental organisations, are asking the public to spot the signs of rural crime and give information 100% anonymously.

The key crimes that Scotland’s rural areas experience are:

• House-breaking

• Theft of farm equipment, vehicles and machinery

• Livestock-related crimes: theft and dog attacks

• Fly-tipping and industrial waste dumping

• Hare coursing and badger baiting

• Fuel theft – domestic and commercial

• Heritage & cultural property crime including illegal metal       detecting

• Wildlife crime

• Wilful fire-raising

Angela Parker, National Manager for Crimestoppers Scotland, said: “‘Many of us will be enjoying the stunning scenery, events and activities Scotland has to offer.

“Our campaign is encouraging the public to be aware of the harm rural crime and anti-social behaviour can inflict on the environment and the economy, from heritage crime, to wilful fire-raising and theft, these crimes often go unreported and can ruin lives, livelihoods and the rural environment.”

Allan Brooking, Community Safety Manager for Network Rail Scotland, said: ““Scotland’s Railway plays a vital role in connecting people with communities and attractions across the country, so it’s hugely important to us to help our partners protect rural areas from crime.

“We will be sharing the campaign’s message with passengers and railway staff will also be equipped with information on what to look out for.”

Inspector Alan Dron, Rural & Acquisitive Crime Coordinator for Police Scotland,  added: “The majority of individuals wanting to experience Scotland’s stunning cultural, historic and natural environments have a desire to do so responsibly and in accordance with the law. 

“Unfortunately, the consequences of a rural incident or crime often has a deeper and far-reaching impact plus access rights are not an excuse for anti-social or illegal behaviour.  Please respect our rural communities and countryside, leave no trace of your visit and don’t let any individuals spoil your experience.”

Postcards and posters will be shared across Scotland, coupled with a social media campaign highlighting the key crimes affecting rural areas.

Douglas Bramley: Body found at Dunsapie Loch

Missing man update

POLICE STATEMENT

Around 10.45am yesterday (Tuesday 12 July, 2022), the body of a man was located within a wooded area near Dunsapie Loch in Holyrood Park,

A formal identification has still to take place, however, the family of 33-year-old Douglas Bramley, who was reported missing from Edinburgh on Sunday, 10 July, 2022, have been informed and are currently being supported by police.

A post mortem examination will take place in due course, however, there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

Police appeal after woman seriously injured in Greenside Place robbery

Detectives are appealing for information following a robbery and assault in Edinburgh.

In the early hours of Tuesday, 5 July, 2022, a 25-year-old woman was pushed from behind down the stairs and had her bag stolen near Greenside Place, between Omni Centre and Edinburgh Playhouse.

The woman sustained serious injuries and attended at the Royal infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment.

Detective Constable Kieran Keddie, of Gayfield CID, said: “The victim sustained serious injuries as a result of the incident and our enquiries are ongoing.

“We believe that members of the public helped the woman following the incident and we would urge those that assisted to contact officers as soon as possible.

“Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has any information that can assist with our investigation should contact Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 1508 of 6 July.

“Alternatively, a call can be made anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Have you seen Douglas?

Police are appealing for the public’s help as part of our efforts to trace Douglas Bramley, who has been reported missing in Edinburgh.

There are growing concerns for the 33-year-old, who lives in Edinburgh area and was last seen near the Grange area around 9pm on Sunday, 10 July.

Douglas is described as white, 6ft in height, slim build, with short dark brown hair and facial stubble. He is wearing jeans and a black T shirt.

Anyone who may have seen Douglas, or who has any information on his whereabouts, is urged to contact Police Scotland via 101 quoting incident number 2234 of 11 July

Cracking down on motorcycle crime

This week, #OperationSoteria have been conducting enquiries which have resulted in a 14-year-old and a 15-year-old being charged with offences relating to the theft of motorcycles within the city of Edinburgh, along with a number of road traffic offences.

Further enquiries have resulted in a stolen motorcycle being recovered which was stolen from the Leith area on 29/06/22.

Anyone with information about motorcycle crime or the dangerous use of motorcycles in the city can speak to officers confidentially and anonymously on 101, or through the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Fraudster to appear in court

A 40-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with a large scale fraud in Edinburgh, Lothians & Fife which happened between January 2018 and April 2022.

Following an investigation by Drylaw Initiative Team, it was established that the man defrauded 21 victims out of £25,000.

He is expected to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today (Friday, 8 July, 2022).

The Little Book of Big Scams

Nobody, whether a business or individual, wants to be a victim of a scam and suffer the financial loss, frustration and worry that it causes.

The information contained in this booklet can provide you with enough knowledge to have confidence in going about your daily business without the fear of falling foul of a scam.

You can view the booklet here ⬇️

https://www.sbrcentre.co.uk/…/Little-Book-of-Big-Scams…

Little-Book-of-Big-Scams-Scottish-Business-Resilience-CentreDownload

NSPCC warns of worrying levels of online child abuse as grooming crimes in Scotland continue to rise

Figures obtained by the NSPCC reveal online grooming crimes recorded by Police Scotland reach almost 3,000 in five years, with offences against under 13s rising by more than 60%.

Analysis of Freedom of Information data from Police Scotland shows that in 2021/22 there were 636 offences of Communicating Indecently with a Child, compared with 429 in 2017/18 – a 48% rise. For victims under the age of 13, there was a steeper rise with 369 in 2021/22 and 226 in 2017/18.

Data* from 41 UK police forces across the UK show an 84% rise in these crimes since 2017/18, with a total of more than 27,000 offences in the past five years.

The NSPCC says the sheer scale of offending shows the vital importance of ensuring that the Online Safety Bill effectively tackles child sexual abuse and has practical suggestions for how this is best done.

This should include giving the regulator, Ofcom, the powers to proactively tackle abuse in private messaging, making platforms work together to stop grooming pathways and stopping offenders from using social networks to organise abuse.

One 15-year-old girl who was groomed on multiple sites told Childline: “I’ve been chatting with this guy online who’s like twice my age. This all started on Instagram but lately all our chats have been on WhatsApp.

“He seemed really nice to begin with, but then he started making me do these things to ‘prove my trust’ to him, like doing video chats with my chest exposed. Every time I did these things for him, he would ask for more and I felt like it was too late to back out.

“This whole thing has been slowly destroying me and I’ve been having thoughts of hurting myself.”

Sir Peter Wanless, NSPCC Chief Executive, said: “Online grooming is taking place at unprecedented levels and only concerted action will turn the tide on this tsunami of preventable abuse.

“The crucial Online Safety Bill is the opportunity to deliver the legislative change we urgently need to address head on these preventable crimes against children.

“We strongly welcome the Government’s ambition to deliver world-leading legislation. But as it seems increasingly clear that the pandemic has resulted in a long-term increase in the abuse threat, the current proposals must go further now to tackle online sexual violence and prevent avoidable abuse.”

The charity is asking the public to email their MP to support amendments to the legislation that aim to improve its response to child sexual abuse.

The NSPCC has set out a five-point action plan for the Online Safety Bill to systemically prevent avoidable child sexual abuse.

Polling shows widespread public support for the measures to be adopted so the legislation achieves its ambition of giving children receive a higher standard of protection online.

  1. Give the regulator powers to proactively tackle abuse in private messaging

Two thirds of child abuse is currently found in private messaging so the NSPCC welcomes that it will be in scope of the Bill.

But the charity wants Ofcom to be given power to proactively require firms to use technology to detect and disrupt grooming and the sharing of child abuse images.

  1. Make platforms work together to tackle grooming pathways

The NSPCC knows grooming doesn’t just happen on one site and offenders use well known grooming pathways to target children.

Companies should have a clear legal duty to address cross platform harm and legally co-operate with each other to disrupt grooming.

  1. Stop offenders from using social networks to organise abuse – breadcrumbing

Offenders perfectly legally use social media to form networks, then advertise a sexual interest in children and signpost to illegal child abuse content hosted on third party sites.

The NSPCC wants the Bill amended to combat the waysoffenders facilitate abuse on social media, which it says could prevent millions of interactions with accounts that contribute to grooming.

  1. Adopt a Violence Against Women and Girls Code of Practice

The Government should commit to a statutory code of practice on violence against women and girls to ensure the Online Safety Bill has a systemic  and enforceable focus on online sexual violence.

  1. A children’s watchdog that represents children’s needs

Children make up one in five UK internet users but are inherently vulnerable, according to the NSPCC. The charity said the Online Safety Bill can achieve its ambition to give children a higher standard of protection by creating a statutory watchdog to promote children’s interests, funded by a levy on the tech industry.

This user advocacy body would ensure child protection is front and centre of regulation, prevent harm by acting as an early warning system to flag emerging risks and call for swift action. This would be similar to the role played by Citizens Advice in the energy and postal sectors.

Appeal to help identify man whose body was discovered in Glencoe

Police are appealing to the public to help identify a man whose body was discovered within water at Lochan Na Craoibhe, Glencoe, around 6.30pm on Wednesday (29 June 2022).

He is described as a white male, aged between 40-60 years-old with dark hair.

When he was found, he was wearing a Regatta blue lightweight waterproof jacket, size XL, a Pep&Co purple/mauve t-shirt with a graphic of palm trees, size XXL and black Gelert walking boots, size 10.

A post mortem examination will be carried out to establish the exact cause of death and a report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal.

Detective Sergeant Louise Thewlis, of Aviemore Police Office, said: “Extensive police enquiries are continuing to identify this man. Despite our investigations, we have not been able to establish who he is, and we are appealing to the public for any assistance so we can notify his next-of-kin.

“I would urge anyone who recognises his description to please come forward.

“I’m also appealing for witnesses who may have been in the local area in the past week.

“Alternatively, if you have concerns about a male family member or friend who matches this description, and has not been in contact, then please let us know.”

Anyone with information should contact Police Scotland via 101 quoting reference number 2817 of Wednesday, 29 June, 2022.