Tag: Police Scotland

Police launch “It’ll Cost You!” proxy purchasing campaign

An award-winning campaign to tackle underage drinking and youth disorder has been launched across Scotland.

The “It’ll Cost You!” programme is a collaboration between Police Scotland, local authorities and alcohol producers and retailers and aims to raise awareness of the damaging effects and criminal nature of buying alcohol for under 18s.

Following a series of successful pilots by the Scottish Alcohol Industry Partnership across Lanarkshire, Edinburgh and Glasgow, results consistently showed a drop in street drinking and anti-social behaviour.

Asking an adult to buy alcohol for under 18s is one of the most common tactics used by young people to access alcohol. The Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 states that it is an offence for a person to “act as an agent for a child in purchasing or attempting to purchase alcohol”. This is also known as proxy purchase.

Police Scotland analysts report that youth disorder incidents reduced by 10% in the North Lanarkshire pilot. The campaign also contributed to a 51% reduction of reports of children drinking on the street.

In addition to 38 adults being reported for buying alcohol for children, the campaign also led to two stores being reported for repeatedly selling alcohol to under 18s.

Adults who buy alcohol for children may face a fine of up to £5,000. Depending on the circumstances you could also face a prison sentence of up to three months and a criminal record

Superintendent Hilary Sloan, Police Scotland, said:  “This campaign highlights the multitude of issues which can be caused through underage drinking and by buying alcohol for teens.

“We want to help keep our young people safe from alcohol-related harm, as well as reducing anti-social behaviour and crime in our communities. Additionally, proxy purchasing is an offence, which could result in a prison sentence.

“The lighter evenings of the summer will see an increase in police patrols around Scotland to reduce attempted purchases of alcohol for under 18s.”

Dr John Lee, Chair of the SAIP Campaigns Group and Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Scottish Grocers Federation said: “The success of initiatives such as Challenge 25 have helped reduce the number of direct sales of alcohol to under 18s, but young people are increasingly accessing alcohol by other means.

“Asking an adult to buy alcohol for them is one of the most common tactics used.”

Minister for Community Safety Ash Regan said: “A key objective of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 is the protection of children and young persons from harm. We remain committed to protecting young persons and children from harm. 

“Young persons are particularly vulnerable to the effects of alcohol, whether they are drinking themselves, or being affected by the drinking of other people in their lives. Underage drinking can also cause short and long term harm to health, as well as put young persons in dangerous situations when drunk.

“That is why I welcome the “It’ll Cost You” Campaign to help create safer communities for us all. The results of pilot initiatives, which the Scottish Government supported, show what can be achieved through strong collaboration and partnership working at a community level.”

Gavin Randall, Retail Operations Director,  Scotmid said: “As a responsible retailer, Scotmid is delighted to support the ‘It’ll Cost You’ proxy purchase campaign.

“Reducing underage drinking and anti-social behaviour linked to alcohol, fits in perfectly with Scotmid’s core purpose ‘to serve our communities and improve peoples’ everyday lives.”

Graham Clarke, Community Alcohol Partnership Coordinator said: “Community Alcohol Partnerships (CAP) is delighted to be supporting the “It’ll Cost You” campaign.  

“Proxy purchase continues to be a challenge across Scotland and the campaign will highlight the dangers and penalties that can result from adults buying alcohol for young people.  

“As part of the campaign, CAP will use the “It’ll Cost You” messaging and resources to support our ongoing work within local partnerships in Scotland to​reduce alcohol harm among young people, improve their health and wellbeing and enhance their communities.”

Pedestrian dies following Easter Road incident

Road Policing officers in Edinburgh can confirm that a 21-year-old man has died following a hit-and-run incident in Leith.

The incident involved a car and a pedestrian, and took place in Easter Road around 2.40am on Sunday, 19 June, 2022.

The pedestrian was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh at the time, but has since passed away. His family have asked for privacy at this time.

A 23-year-old man was arrested in connection with the incident and further enquiries remain ongoing.

Sergeant Paul Ewing, from the Edinburgh Road Policing team, said: “At this time, our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of the deceased.

“We are continuing our enquiries into the incident and would ask anyone who was in the area at the time and may have information to come forward. We’re also particularly keen to speak with two females who were seen near to an ATM at the bottom of Easter Road, around 2.30am.

“If you believe you can assist our enquiries, please call police on 101, quoting incident 0590 of Sunday, 19 June, 2022.”

CCTV appeal following Meuse Lane assault: do you know these men?

Police Scotland has released images of four men they believe may hold information which might assist in relation to a serious assault which left a 20-year-old man unconscious, at Meuse Lane, Edinburgh, around 10.10pm on Saturday, 11 December, 2021.

The first man in the images is described as white, in his mid-40’s, around 5ft 8ins, with short dark hair and of medium build. He was wearing a navy blazer.

The second man is described as white, in his mid-40’s, around 6ft, bald, and of medium build. He was wearing a dark jacket.

The third man is described as white, in his mid-40’s, around 5ft 7ins, bald and of medium build. He was wearing a dark jacket with a blue top underneath.

The fourth man is described white, in his mid-40’s, around 5ft 10ins, and of medium build. He was wearing a dark beanie hat, a dark jacket and blue jeans.

Detective Constable Christopher Docherty of Edinburgh CID, said: “I would urge the men depicted in these images, or anyone who has information relating to them, to make contact with the police.

“Anyone with any information is asked to contact CID via 101, quoting incident number 3747 of Saturday, 11 December, 2021. Alternatively, call the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be passed on anonymously.”

Police innvestigate man behaving suspiciously on Portobello promenade

Police are appealing for information following an incident on Portobello Promenade on Sunday, 5 June.

Around 11.30pm, a woman was running along the Promenade when she saw the man who shouted at her. His behaviour alarmed the woman and she reported the matter to police.

The man is described as white, in his late 40s to early 50s. He was wearing a dark coloured jacket, light coloured trousers, a grey coloured flat cap. He had stubble and spoke with a local accent.

Constable Deering said: “We have been reviewing CCTV footage from this and the surrounding area, however, we have been unsuccessful in identifying this man and are asking members of the public to think back and consider if they were in the Promenade area between 11pm and midnight that Sunday.

“If you have any information, please do get in touch with us. Any small detail could assist us in our enquiries.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number, 0010 of 6 June 2022.

Council operation stops sales of illegal tobacco in Leith

Almost £26,000 worth of illegal tobacco has been taken off the shelves by the City of Edinburgh Council’s Trading Standards team and Police Scotland.

Operation CeCe is a UK wide operation targeting illicit tobacco, which is either duty evaded, counterfeit or both and the recent operations in the capital resulted in the seizure of almost £26,000 worth of stock. It included 22,600 cigarettes and 10Kg of hand rolling tobacco which in turn represented evaded duty of over £10,600 defrauded from public funds.

Acting upon intelligence received, Officers from the City of Edinburgh Council’s Trading Standards team, in partnership with officers from Police Scotland, attended a number of premises in the Leith Walk area of the city, along with tobacco detection dog Boo.

Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Scott Arthur, said: “These recoveries are a fantastic result for our Trading Standards team who work hard to identify and tackle unsafe and illegal products. Stopping such products reaching consumers in Edinburgh and beyond is a testament to their proactive strategy and dedication.

“I am, of course, concerned that this market exists within Edinburgh. These products have not had the required duty paid on them, but also do not comply with the plain packaging, warning requirements, and where they are counterfeit, breach Trade Marks legislation. No tobacco product is safe, but the recovered goods may not comply with the requirements designed to ensure that cigarettes are self-extinguishing to prevent domestic fires.

“Illicit and Counterfeit Tobacco evades taxation and often ends up in the hands of young people, and for that reason tackling it is a key part of Edinburgh’s contribution to the Scottish Government aim to achieve a Smoke Free Generation by 2034.

“We are committed to tackling the supply of illicit tobacco, and will work with our partners in Police Scotland and HMRC wherever possible to disrupt its supply. Legitimate retail sale of tobacco is also disadvantaged where illicit supply routes exist, and we would encourage any legitimate business owners to come forward with any information.”

Police appeal for information after motorcycle fails to stop for officers

Police in Edinburgh are appealing for information after a motorcycle failed to stop for officers on Sunday (26 June, 2022).

Around 12am, officers saw the vehicle, which was later identified as a stolen orange KTM motorcycle, being driven at speed along Leamington Terrace.

The motorcycle was signalled to stop by officers but was driven off down Gilmore Place, towards Viewforth.

The motorcycle was then driven along Dundee Street and towards Fountain Park, in the Fountainbridge area, down Drysdale Road and onto the West Approach Road. It was last seen in the Gorgie Road area.

Extensive enquiries are ongoing to trace the driver, passenger and the vehicle. No one was injured during the incident.

The motorcycle’s driver and passenger are both described as wearing dark clothing and balaclavas.

The motorcycle had earlier been reported stolen from Spittal Street, between 7.30pm and 8.30pm on Monday 20 June 2022.

Detective Sergeant Ross Dunn, of Drylaw Police Station, said: “Our enquiries to trace the driver and vehicle are ongoing.

“We believe the area would have been quite busy with members of the public and are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident to get in touch.

“If you were in the area at the time, please think back and get in touch with us if you have any information which may be able to assist our investigation.

“From our CCTV enquiries, we believe a woman may have filmed the incident in the Fountainbridge area. I am particularly keen to speak with her and would ask her to contact officers as soon as possible.

“I would also ask anyone with dash-cam footage to come forward, you may have captured something which could assist us in our enquiries.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident 0008 of Sunday, 26 June, 2022.

Police appeal after woman injured in Ocean Terminal incident

Police are appealing for witnesses after a 30-year-old woman was injured at Ocean Terminal Edinburgh at the weekend.

The incident happened around 5.30pm on Saturday (25 June, 2022) when the woman was struck by a shopping trolley which had been thrown from a higher level of the Red Car Park at Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre by a group of youths.

The trolley struck the 30-year-old woman causing minor injury, she did not require hospital treatment but was left extremely shaken by the incident.

Several members of the public came to the aid of the victim and we are asking for them, any other witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to make contact with police on 101 quoting incident number 3433 of Sunday 26 June 2022.

Alternatively, anyone with any information can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their anonymous online form at crimestoppers-uk.org

Paying the Price: £20 million in crime proceeds to fund community projects

Latest round of Cashback for Communities funding opens

Community projects are set to receive up to £20 million over the next three years to continue supporting young people and communities most affected by crime.

Since the programme began in 2008, Cashback for Communities has taken funds recovered through the Proceeds of Crime Act and provided crucial support to around 1.3 million young people across all local authorities.

Cashback has funded a wide variety of projects over the past 14 years including sports, arts, youth work and employability which provide extensive opportunities to raise the ambition and aspirations of young people.

The latest phase of funding will guide those most at risk of being impacted by crime, to more positive destinations while also helping young people to improve their physical and mental health.

Justice Secretary Keith Brown said: “Young people growing up in Scotland deserve to have an equal chance of success, no matter their background or circumstances and CashBack plays an important role in providing young people with the tools they need to reach their full potential.

“The valuable feedback from young people who have benefitted from the programme helped inform this latest round of funding.  Participants reported that improving their mental health and wellbeing was a key priority for them due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, which also links to our Vision for Justice in Scotland.

“This funding of up to £20 million will deliver a range of activities for young people between the ages of 10-25 and boosts the total funding made available to almost £130 million since the Programme began in 2008.”

Applications for Phase 6 funding now open

Cashback for Communities

Easter Road hit and run: man arrested

A 23-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a hit and run incident in Edinburgh.

The incident, which involved a car and a pedestrian happened at around 2.40am yesterday (Sunday, 19 June) in Easter Road.

The 21-year old male pedestrian was taken to The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment for serious injuries.

Detective Sergeant Dougal Begg said : “A young man sustained serious injuries as a result of this incident and I would appeal to anyone who was in the area and witnessed the collision to come forward.

“I would also appeal to anyone who has any dashcam or mobile phone footage that could assist with our investigation.

“Police can be contacted by calling 101 and quoting incident number 0590 of Sunday, 19 June, 2022.”

Investigation launched following disturbance in Leith Street

Detectives are appealing for information after a man was injured in the city centre.

Around 2.50am yesterday (Friday, 17 June), police were called to reports of a disturbance in Leith Street at its junction with Princes Street.

Emergency services attended and a 23-year-old man was taken to hospital.

A 33-year-old man has been arrested in connection with this incident.

Detectives are continuing to review CCTV footage and enquiries carried out so far have established that several other people were in the area. Officers believe other people may also have been targeted.

Detective Sergeant Keith Taylor said: “We can see from CCTV images that other people may have been involved and I am asking these members of the public to contact us.

“I am sure their information will assist in our investigation. If you were in Princes Street at its junction with Leith Street in the early hours of this morning, please get in touch with us. Any small piece of information could prove vital.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 290 of 17 June, 2022. Alternatively, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where you can give your information anonymously.