A 14-year-old male youth has been arrested and charged in connection with wilful fireraising in Edinburgh.
The incident happened at a stable at Gorgie City Farm, off Gorgie Road, shortly after 6.25pm on Wednesday, 24 July, 2024.
No one was injured.
Tag: Police Scotland
Appeal for further information following serious crash on M8
POLICE are appealing for further information following a serious crash on the M8, near to J13 Provan, in Glasgow on Wednesday (24 July, 2024).
Around 1.10pm, a Mercedes A45 collided with an unmarked Volvo S90 police car and a Mercedes CLS, which were on the hard shoulder of the eastbound carriageway.
Two male police officers and two men from the Mercedes CLS were taken to hospital following the crash.
A 48-year-old police officer and a 43-year-old man remain in a critical condition.
A 38-year-old police officer and a 31-year-old man have both been discharged from hospital following treatment.
Three men, aged 27, 33 and 39, were travelling in the Mercedes A45 at the time of the collision. The 27-year-old and 39-year-old left the scene but were traced nearby following enquiries. All three were taken to hospital for treatment.
The 39-year-old remains in a critical condition. The 33-year-old is still being treated for serious injuries.
The 27-year-old was discharged from hospital and arrested in connection with road traffic offences. He was released pending further enquiries but has since been arrested and charged in connection with an unrelated matter. He is being held in custody and expected to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Friday, 26 July, 2024.
The eastbound carriageway was closed for around 12 hours to allow enquiries to be carried out at the scene.
An online portal has been set up to enable the public to send information directly to the investigation team. Anyone doing so can choose to remain anonymous.
The link can be accessed here: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/SCOT24S06-PO1
Chief Superintendent Hilary Sloan, Head of Road Policing for Police Scotland, said: “Our thoughts remain with our colleagues and members of the public who were injured in this incident.
“The collision occurred on a busy part of the M8 during the middle of the day. I am appealing to anyone who saw what happened or has information, and has not already spoken to officers, to please come forward.
“Additionally, please contact us if you have any dash-cam or CCTV footage relating to this incident that could assist our investigation.
“Extensive enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of what happened.”
Information can be passed to Police Scotland by calling 101 and quoting reference number 1672 of 24 July.
As is standard procedure following an incident of this nature, the matter has been referred to Police Investigation & Review Commissioner (PIRC) for review.
Police use drones to target antisocial behaviour in South Queensferry
Police Scotland Air Support Unit launched their drone in South Queensferry this week as part of an operation tackling antisocial vehicle use in the Hawes Pier area.
Community officers were joined by Cllr Lewis Younie and assisted by colleagues from our Roads Policing Team to raise awareness of the issue and engage with those involved.
Action needed to tackle antisocial behaviour at Newkirkgate
Foysol Choudhury, Labour list MSP for Lothian Region, has been contacted by businesses, residents, and visitors in Leith regarding the escalating issue of anti-social behavior at the Foot of the Walk in Leith.
In response, Mr Choudhury organised an urgent community meeting with Leith Labour Councillor Katrina Faccenda, Police Scotland and local businesses from the Newkirkgate Shopping Centre.
Mr Choudhury has visited the location multiple times, witnessing the anti-social behaviour and criminal activity, which local businesses report as a daily occurrence.
Reports indicate that the behavior, centred around the benches in front of the shopping centre, includes assaults, drug use and the presence of weapons.
After the community meeting, Mr. Choudhury said: “The message from local businesses is clear — urgent action is needed before things deteriorate.
“The cry from local businesses here is clear – urgent action must be taken surrounding the behaviour on these benches outside Newkirkgate Shopping Centre.
“Workers should not have to battle thefts, discarded needles and assaults on a daily basis and members of the public should not have to face intimidation and harassment whilst just trying to pick up their shopping and prescriptions.
“I’ve been liaising with local businesses to hear their concerns and alongside my colleague Cllr Faccenda, we will be pushing for actions which could deter and tackle this behaviour.
“Police Scotland have also been very helpful in providing visibility in the area and suggestions of how we can tackle these incidents.
“I’ve already raised this issue via multiple channels and will continue to do so – by working together and by developing partnerships, I hope we can improve this situation for the local community.”
Man arrested following 2023 road fatality
A man has been arrested following a fatal road crash in Edinburgh in 2023.
The incident occurred in Stevenson Drive in the Balgreen area of the city around 3.30pm on Saturday, 26 August, 2023. A 70-year-old female pedestrian died in the incident.
A 24-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with road traffic offences. He was due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Thursday, 18 July, 2024.
Youth arrested and charged following city centre chase
Around 7.50pm on Wednesday, 17 July, 2024, police officers observed a stolen vehicle being driven in the West Port area.
It failed to stop, and a short pursuit took place on Lady Lawson Street towards Lothian Road where it was cancelled for safety reasons.
Shortly afterwards, the same vehicle then struck a female pedestrian on Princes Street, before continuing onto South Saint David Street where it crashed into another vehicle.
A 17-year-old male was arrested on Market Street by officers following a short foot chase. He has been charged in connection with road traffic offences and released on an undertaking to appear in court at a later date.
Emergency services attended, and the female pedestrian was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment to minor injuries. The driver of the other vehicle wasn’t injured.
One lane of Princes Street was closed near the Scott Monument for around three hours as enquiries were carried out, which caused some disruption to public transport.
Police would like to thank members of the public who assisted officers in tracing the male.
Over £22 million worth of drugs seized from Scotland’s streets this year
More than £22 million worth of drugs have been removed from Scotland’s streets so far this year.
This follows a number of significant seizures across the country.
In January, officers recovered cannabis valued at £3,600,000 in Greenock and £2,250,000 in Dundee.
Cannabis worth £1,700,000 was recovered in Falkirk in February, and £2,300,000 worth was located in Galashiels in March.
In Glasgow, cocaine worth £1,800,000 was seized in June.
There were also large recoveries in Ayrshire, Aberdeen, Dumfries and Galloway, Lothian and Borders, Fife and Lanarkshire.
Arrests have been made in connection with the majority and enquiries remain ongoing into the other cases.
Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ferry said: “These seizures highlight our dedication to tackling drug crime in Scotland.
“Controlled substances are dangerous and cause real harm to individuals, families and communities. They are illegal for that very reason.
“Working closely with our partners, we remain focused on targeting individuals and organised crime groups, who selfishly exploit vulnerable people solely for their own financial gain.
“This shows our commitment to the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce and the country’s Serious Organised Crime Strategy.
“Results like these rely on the public and anyone with information or concerns about drugs should contact Police Scotland on 101 or make a call anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Appeal following serious assault at TRNSMT festival
POLICE are appealing for information following a serious assault at TRNSMT festival on Glasgow Green.
The incident happened in front of the ferris wheel around 3.10pm on Saturday, 13 July, 2024.
A 16-year-old male suffered serious injuries and was taken to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital for treatment.
Officers are working to identify two males as part of the ongoing investigation.
The first male is described as being around 6ft in height, of slim build, aged around 19-20 years old, with a dark buzz cut hairstyle and a half sleeve tattoo on his right arm. At the time of the incident, he was wearing a black bucket hat and Scotland saltire flag wrapped around him.
The second male is described as around 6ft 1in in height, of slim build, aged around 19-20 years old, with dark hair. He was wearing a light-coloured top.
Detective Sergeant Stephen Greenshields of Shettleston CID said: “This incident has left the victim with serious injuries, and we are carrying out extensive enquiries to identify the males responsible.
“Numerous people will have witnessed this incident, and we would urge anyone with any information that could assist with our enquiries to come forward.
“If you think you can help, you can contact police via 101, quoting 2222 of 13 July, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
Ten years for violent sex offender
A man has been jailed for 10 years after being convicted of a series of violent and sexual crimes against women in the Edinburgh area.
James Kelly, aged 43, targeted six women over a six year period between 2014 and 2020.
He crimes included multiple sexual offences, including five counts of rape. He also assaulted one victim to her severe injury.
He was previously found guilty of 18 charges following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh and returned for sentencing today – Monday, 15 July, 2024.
Detective Inspector Eirlys Fraser said: “James Kelly subjected his victims to a shocking level of violence and sexual abuse. He is an extremely dangerous individual, who showed no remorse for his behaviour, but he is now paying the price for his despicable actions.
“I would like to commend the women for their strength in coming forward during this investigation and helping us build a compelling case against him. I hope this outcome provides them with some sense of closure and allows them to move on from this horrendous ordeal.
“If anyone is experiencing or has experienced any type of violence or sexual abuse, you are not alone, and we would encourage you to report it to us. You will be listened to and supported throughout the entire process by officers and our partner agencies, and together we will bring the perpetrator to justice.”
Appeal for witnesses after stabbing in Victoria Park
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a serious assault which occurred in Victoria Park last night (Friday, 12 July, 2024).
Around 6.50pm a 19-year-old man was with two friends in Victoria Park, off Newhaven Road, when they were approached by two men on Sur-Ron style motorbikes.
One of the men proceeded to stab the victim in the arm before they both made off on the bikes in the direction of Craighall Road.
Emergency services were called and the victim was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh where medical staff describe his condition as stable.
The first suspect is described as being in his early 20’s, of slim build, 5ft9, and was wearing a balaclava, all black clothing and black trainers.
The second suspect is described as being in his early 20’s, of slim build, 5ft9 and wearing black clothing.
Detective Inspector Gavin Howat said: “This appears to have been a targeted attack on the victim and extensive enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding this attack.
“Victoria Park would have been busy at the time of the incident and we would like to speak to anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious, or may have seen the two suspects on Sur-Ron style motorbikes.
“We would also appeal to anyone with private CCTV or dashcam footage of the surrounding area to check in case they have captured anything which could be of significance to our investigation.
“Anyone with information can contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 3052 of Friday, 12 July, 2024. You can also speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”