Tag: Police Scotland

New campaign highlights the devastating consequences of speeding

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:

  • I was about to run out of fuel and had to get to the petrol station quicker
  • I was clearing the diesel particulate filter out
  • 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.

For more information visit roadsafety.scot/topics/speed or check out the Road Safety Scotland Facebook and Twitter pages.

Assault on Boswall Parkway: Police release CCTV images

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 I Am Me Scotland host first Keep Safe Awareness Day

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.”

Community appeal as Lauriston Farm beer garden ‘trashed’

During such a hard time for closed businesses, it comes with great sadness and disappointment that our beer garden has been left in this state 😢.

Last night between 9.30pm – midnight, a group of 4 have been caught on cctv completely abusing the area, breaking and throwing garden furniture, trying to smash down the smoking shelter, dumping all their trash as well as risking their own safety by climbing onto our restaurant roof.

We would kindly ask the community to share this and help it reach the people involved, before we have to forward the faces (who from cctv look as if they have visited before) to the police .

Attached are some photos of the mess. Thank you for your support.

Team Lauriston Farm

Three youths charged following tram stop incidents

Three youths have been charged in relation to recent antisocial behaviour and damage on and around buses and trams in Edinburgh.

A 12-year-old boy and two 13-year-old boys were identified and traced by officers in the South West of the city and have been charged with a number of offences including smashing a bus window, throwing excrement at a member of staff and an offence under the Edinburgh Tram Act 2006.

These incidents took place between 5 February and 15 February in the Westside Plaza and between Edinburgh Park and Balgreen Tram Stops.

Sergeant Scott Walker from Wester Hailes Community Policing Team said: “During the past few weeks we’ve received a number of reports of antisocial behaviour at bus and tram stops as well as damage being caused to buses and trams.

“A dedicated team of officers carried out enquiries to identify those who were responsible, during which they spoke to numerous witnesses and viewed CCTV footage.

“We’re pleased to report that three youths have been charged with five offences, and so far in an effort to prevent an escalation in unacceptable and dangerous behaviour, fifteen other youths have been spoken to in the presence of a parent or carer.

“I’d like to thank the public for their help in these enquiries and continued support, and would also like to reassure the residents of Edinburgh and those who use public transport that we will continue to tackle this kind of behaviour.

“This is a city wide issue that we face and our work continues across the division with similar initiatives. Local Community Policing Teams are working hard to identify those responsible in order to educate them on the potentially dangerous consequences of their actions when targeting public transport.”

Anyone wishing to report a crime should contact officers via 101, or in an emergency and when a crime is in progress, always call 999. Alternatively a report can be made anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Window clean fraudster faces court

Police have arrested a man in connection with a series of frauds in the north east of the city.

The incidents happened between 7pm and 9pm on Monday, 22 February, 2021, and involved the man attending at addresses in the Ferry Road and Leith Walk areas and requesting money for window cleaning services which were never carried out.

A 44-year-old man has now been arrested and charged in connection with three incidents and is due to appear before Edinburgh Sheriff Court at a later date.

Chief Inspector Murray Tait from Leith Police Station said: “I’d like to thank the public for their assistance with these enquiries and would remind people to be vigilant in respect of anyone who attends at your address seeking payment or to carry out any work.

“Our enquiries are continuing and anyone who may not have reported a similar incident to officers already should come forward “

Anyone wishing to report a crime should contact police via 101, or in an emergency and when a crime is in progress, always call 999. Alternatively a report can be made anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police appeal following Kirkgate assault

Police are appealing for information following a serious assault at the Kirkgate shopping centre in Leith.

The incident happened around 7.30pm last Friday (19 February, 2021) when a 28-year-old man was struck by another man and sustained a serious arm injury which required treatment in hospital.

Detectives are keen to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time and the man involved in the incident.

He is described as aged late teens to early twenties, of skinny build with medium length black hair. He was wearing a black jumper, a scarf, grey tracksuit bottoms, black trainers and carrying a black Nike rucksack.

Detective Constable Gary Lipscombe of Gayfield CID said: “Our enquiries so far have established that there were a number of people in the area at the time of this incident and we would urge anyone who has not already spoken to officers to get in touch.

“Anyone who can help with our investigation is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident 3061 of Friday, 19 February, 2021, or make a call anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Understanding the nature of hate crime

A new report into the extent of hate crimes committed in Scotland has highlighted almost two-thirds of all race-related hate offences had a visible minority ethnic (non-white) victim, a group that makes up around 4% of the population.

The detailed study looking at the characteristics of victims and perpetrators of reported hate crime incidents in 2018-19 also found that:

  • around a third of crimes involved a victim who experienced the incident at work
  • almost two-thirds of hate crime victims and three-quarters of perpetrators were male
  • in the majority (94%) of sexual-orientation aggravated hate crimes the perpetrator showed prejudice towards the gay and lesbian community
  • in around two-fifths of religion aggravated hate crimes the perpetrator showed prejudice towards the Catholic community
  • in a quarter of such crimes prejudice was shown towards the Muslim community and in one in ten cases it was towards the Protestant community
  • there were 1,080 recorded hate crimes in 2018-19 with a police officer victim
  • hate crimes with an aggravation for transgender identity have doubled over the past six years from 48 to 96

Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “This report provides more detail of how hate crime affects our communities and is a timely reminder that crime motivated by hate is an all too common occurrence, with real-life impacts on victims and those around them. Just from those that are reported, we know that an average 18 hate crimes are committed every day in Scotland.

“The fact that visible minority ethnic groups, which represent 4% of the population, experience two-thirds of all race-related hate crimes shows we have much more to do to overcome prejudice, while the findings also highlight the need for more to be done to ensure workplaces are an environment free from hatred and from fear.

The report also highlights the risk that police face in the line of duty on a daily basis where almost 1 in 5 recorded hate crimes involved a victim that was a police officer.

“As elected representatives, we can help ensure Scotland is a place where there is zero tolerance of hate crime. The legislation currently before Parliament makes clear that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated – and will ensure Scotland’s justice system can bring perpetrators to account and provide protection for individuals and communities harmed by hate crimes.”

Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell said: “Scotland is an inclusive and tolerant nation, but we are not immune from the constant threat that prejudice and intolerance can bring to our society.  Given the impact it has on individuals and communities it is important that everybody plays their part to challenge it at all times.

“Hate Crime legislation is only part of our wider programme of work to tackle hate crime and build connected communities.  In June 2017, we published the Tackling Prejudice and Building Connected Communities Action Plan and established an action group, which I chair, to take this forward. The key priorities identified by the group are raising awareness of what hate crime is, the impact that it has on individuals and communities and to encourage reporting. 

“The action group has also played a key role in ensuring there is better evidence and data around hate incidents and crime and I am grateful for their continued support.  This report helps us to understand the key characteristics of both victims and perpetrators and reflects the importance of reporting incidents so that we can best support our communities in Scotland.  The report will be instrumental in informing our work as we look to refresh our action plan later this year.”

Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie of Police Scotland said: “Hate crime is abhorrent and insidious and will not be tolerated in Scotland. Targeting anyone because of a disability, their race, religion, sexuality or transgender identity – or a perception of these characteristics – is despicable.

“This report shows the extent of hate crime which has been reported to Police Scotland in 2018-19, but we know this is an under-reported offence. People who are victims have often been targeted on numerous occasions before they report to our officers and can find it difficult to talk about it.

“We encourage anyone who has been a victim – or who has witnessed a hate crime – to come forward and report it.  We take every report seriously and will carry out a robust investigation on every occasion.

“Hate Crime can be reported at a police office or via 101 or 999 in an emergency. Alternatively, if you do not feel comfortable approaching police directly, you can use the network of Third Party Reporting Centres across the country, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously.”

A Study into the Characteristics of Police Recorded Hate Crime in Scotland

Police appeal following attempted robbery in Wester Drylaw

Police are appealing for information following an attempted robbery in Wester Drylaw.The incident happened between 2pm and 2.15pm yesterday (Tuesday 23 February).

A 29-year-old man working as a delivery driver was approached by two unidentified people who assaulted him and attempted to take a set of van keys. They were subsequently disturbed by a local resident and the males fled without having taken anything.

Officers are working to identify the two men, both of whom are male:

  • One is described as being white, around 6ft 2in tall and wearing a grey hooded top and black gloves.
  • The second is white, around 5ft 10in and of medium build with very short hair or possibly bald. He was wearing a red hooded top, dark tracksuit bottoms and black gloves.

Detective Constable Zaira Marker, of the Edinburgh Division Violence Reduction Unit, said: “Our enquiries are ongoing into this attempted robbery and this includes establishing exactly where in the Wester Drylaw area this happened.

“This incident was disturbed by a local resident and we are particularly keen to speak to them.”If you recognise yourself or if you saw or heard a disturbance in the Wester Drylaw area between 1400 – 1415hrs on Tuesday I would urge you to get in touch.”

“Any information can be passed to police on 101, quoting incident 1854 of 21 February, or call anonymously Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

West Edinburgh sex attacker to appear in court

Police have arrested a man in connection with five instances of sexual offences committed in the west of Edinburgh.

The incidents happened between 31 December 2020 and 20 February 2021 in the Viewforth, Union Canal, and Craiglockhart areas of the city.

The most recent incident took place on Saturday (20 February 2021), when a 14-year-old girl was the victim of a sexual assault as she walked in a wooded area in Craiglockhart.

A 62-year-old man has now been arrested and charged in connection with five incidents and is due to appear before Edinburgh Sheriff Court today.

Detective Inspector Keith Fairbairn from Edinburgh’s Public Protection Unit said: “We continue to conduct enquiries in relation to these offences and anyone who may have witnessed a crime, or not reported an incident to officers already, should come forward so we can thoroughly investigate.”

Anyone wishing to report a crime should contact officers via 101, or in an emergency and when a crime is in progress, always call 999. Alternatively a report can be made anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.