Police appeal following assault and robbery of woman in Leith

Detectives have released images of a man who may have information that will assist their investigation into the assault and robbery of a woman in Leith.

The robbery took place at the junction of Henderson Street and Yardheads between 1.30am and 2am in the early hours of Sunday morning (13 September).

Police officers believe that the man in the images may be able to help with their ongoing enquiries.

He is described being slim to medium build, 30-40 years old, dark hair which is short at the back and sides and slightly longer on top. He is clean shaven and was wearing a black jacket with a different shade of black collar, white trousers and brown shoes.

Detective Constable Oliver Healy of Gayfield CID said: “Extensive enquiries are ongoing into the assault and robbery and officers are currently carrying out enquiries in the local area, and checking CCTV footage to gather more information.

“I would urge anyone who may have been in the area around the time of the incident and saw anything suspicious to contact us as soon as possible.

“Anyone with information should contact police on 101, quoting reference number 1241 of Sunday, 13 September, 2020. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.”

Apologies about the quality of the images – I will try to get better ones today – Ed.

Pennywell Road incident: can you help?

Police continue to appeal for witnesses following a serious road crash on Pennywell Road on Wednesday (7 October).

Around 3.15pm a man and a woman were crossing the road at the zebra crossing near to the old Pennywell Arcade when they were struck by a silver Mercedes.

Emergency services attended and the 34-year-old woman was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where she is being treated for serious injuries.The 34-year-old man was also taken to hospital but did not require treatment.

Sergeant Peter Scott of Police Scotland’s Road Policing Unit said: “Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding this incident and we are looking to speak to anyone who was in the vicinity of Pennywell Road on Wednesday afternoon around 15.15pm.

“We would appeal to anyone who witnessed what happened or observed a silver Mercedes on the road to please get in touch. We would also ask any motorists with dash-cams who were in the area to check their footage in case they have captured anything which could be of significance.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 1904 of Wednesday 7 October 2020.”

Police seek witnesses to Leith road incident

Police are appealing for information after a car was found crashed in Burns Street, Leith, at around 9.25am on Friday (9 October) with the keys in the ignition and the engine still running.

The silver Vauxhall Astra had been seen earlier, around 9am, by officers on patrol in Easter Road. When they asked the driver to stop after noticing a defect on the vehicle, it did not and they followed it along Restalrig Road towards the junction with East Hermitage Place where it accelerated away.

Around 9.25am, the same officers came across the same Vauxhall Astra which had collided with the drainpipe of a building in Burns Street. They searched the area but there was no trace of the driver.

Sergeant Jill Kirkpatrick, of the Road Policing Unit based in Edinburgh, said: “We are appealing for anyone walking or driving in the Leith area at the time who may have seen this car being driven, possibly at speed, to get in touch.

“The car may have been driven along a number of streets between Easter Road and Burns Street. These include Brunswick Road, Leith Links, Albion Road, Albion Place, Hawkhill Avenue, Lochend Road, Sleigh Drive, Lochend Drive and Restalrig Road.

“In particular, anyone with dash-cam footage that may show the car is asked to contact us. If you can help please call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0724 of 9 October, 2020, or make a call anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

COVID demo at Holyrood: Police urge protesters to stay away

Police Scotland is urging people not to gather for a planned demonstration against the ongoing coronavirus restrictions at the Holyrood Parliament building today.

Superintendent David Robertson, of Edinburgh Division, said: “We are aware of a proposed demonstration in Edinburgh in relation to the ongoing restrictions in place to help prevent the spread of coronavirus and save lives.

“Anyone thinking of taking part is strongly urged to find alternative ways to protest rather than attending mass gatherings, for example through digital means.

“Police Scotland will have a proportionate and appropriate response should this event go ahead and will act decisively to enforce the law if required.

“We are asking people to take personal responsibility to do the right thing and remember the purpose of these measures is to aid the collective effort to stay safe, protect others and save lives by preventing the virus from spreading.”

West Pilton attempted murder: Police appeal for witnesses

Detectives are appealing for information following the attempted murder of a 19 year-old man at a flat in West Pilton Grove last night.

At around 8.40pm on Wednesday evening (7th October), the 19 year-old man and another man were outside shops on Ferry Road Drive in Edinburgh, when they were involved in an altercation with a group of youths.

The 19 year-old man received a facial injury then made his way home to West Pilton Grove.

At around 9.30pm, he was in the flat when four men forced entry and seriously assaulted him. Police and Ambulance attended and the injured man was taken to Edinburgh Royal Hospital where he is being treated for stab wounds.

Hospital staff describe his condition as serious.

The four men responsible are white and aged in their late teens or early twenties:

The first man was of medium build and wearing a grey hooded top, a black gilet and black jogging trousers.

The second man was wearing a black hooded top and black jogging trousers.

The third man was wearing a green top and black jogging trousers,

The fourth man was of heavy build and wearing a black hooded top, blue t-shirt, black jogging trousers and white trainers.

Detective Sergeant Rory Legge of Corstorphine Police Station said: “Our enquiries are continuing into this incident and we have been carrying out enquiries and gathering CCTV from the local area to help us establish the identity of the four men responsible.

“I would appeal to anyone who witnessed, or who has information on the incident outside the shops on Ferry Road Drive or the further assault in West Pilton Grove to contact us as soon as possible. “Anyone with information should contact Corstorphine Police Station through 101 quoting reference number 3512 of 7 October.

“Alternatively Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.”

M8 fatality: victim named

A woman killed following a crash on the M8 has been named as Lynda Mudd from Chapelhall, Airdrie.

Officers received a report of a one car crash involving a red Vauxhall Corsa around 4.05am on Friday, 2 October, close to junction 5 on the M8 eastbound.

Nobody was in the car when road policing officers arrived to move the vehicle which was damaged and in a dangerous position on the motorway. Reports were then received of a woman seen on the westbound carriageway near the Shotts off-slip at junction 5.

The woman died at the scene and she was identified as the driver and sole occupant of the Vauxhall Corsa, 51-year-old Lynda Mudd.

The M8 was closed in both directions between junction 4 and junction 5 from 6am until 9.40pm on Friday to allow investigation work to be carried out.

Chief Inspector Darren Faulds, of Road Policing, said: “This is a distressing incident and our enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.

“Lynda was hit by a vehicle around the time she was seen on the westbound carriageway just after 4.05am near the Shotts off-slip.

“Various drivers have contacted us already who were travelling on the road at that time and I would encourage anyone else who hasn’t to please get in touch. We’re trying to build a picture of what happened.

“This is a complex investigation and we would like to thank the public for their patience on Friday while the road remained closed for over 15 hours.

“Anyone who has any information about this incident, was travelling on the M8 near Shotts around 4.05am on Friday or has dashcam footage from that area, please contact us.”

Those with information should contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident number 0355 of 2 October 2020.

M8 to remain closed following fatal accident

Police Scotland can confirm that the M8 between Shotts and Whitburn will remain closed this afternoon following a fatal road traffic crash which happened in the early hours of this morning (Friday, 2 October).

Officers were called to reports of a road traffic collision on the eastbound carriageway at Shotts around 4.05am.

As a result of the incident, one person, the sole occupier of the vehicle has died.

The M8 was closed and remains shut both east and westbound between junction 4 and 5 whilst collision investigation is ongoing.

Chief Inspector Darren Faulds, said: “Our thoughts and sympathies are with the family and friends of the person who sadly lost their life in this incident.

“We understand that closing this major route has caused significant disruption to motorists, and we thank them for their patience while we continue to respond to this serious incident.

“I would ask any driver using the M8 in the early hours of this morning who may have witnessed the incident, or who may have dash cam footage of the incident, contact police.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident 0355 of 2 October, 2020.

Police seek witnesses to Buckstone road accident

Police are appealing for information following a road crash in Buckstone.

At around 12:45pm yesterday (Wednesday, 30 September), police received a report of a road crash involving one vehicle on Buckstone Terrace. The incident happened at the junction of Buckstone Road and involved a grey Hyundai Getz.

Emergency services attended and the male driver of the vehicle, who was the only occupant of the car, has been taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

An investigation is under way and officers from Road Policing are appealing for any witnesses to the incident or to anyone who was in the area around the time of the crash to contact them, in particular, anyone who saw the car prior to the crash.

Also, any motorist with dash cam is asked to check their footage as it may have captured footage relevant to officers’ enquiries.

Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 1354 of 30 September, 2020.

Gorgie Farm robbery: CCTV image released

Police Scotland have issued an image of a man they believe may be able to assist them with their investigation into a robbery in Edinburgh.

The incident, which saw a man threatened with a weapon and a three figure sum of cash stolen, occurred around 2.25pm on Friday, 10 July, 2020 at Gorgie Farm off Gorgie Road.

Officers believe that the man shown in the image may have information that will assist with their investigation and would appeal to any members of the public who recognise him to come forward.

The man is described as white, in his 40’s, around 6ft 1 in in height, of average build with short ginger hair.

Detective Constable Jenifer Bell said: “Nobody was injured but this was a frightening experience for the man involved and I would urge anyone who may be able to identify the man in the image to come forward. If you can assist with this or have any other information which may help, please do get in touch.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident 1891 of 10th July 2020 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Police seek witnesses to Blackhall assault

Police are appealing for information following an assault of a 14 year old boy at a bus stop on Marischal Place in Blackhall. The incident occurred around 6pm on Friday evening (25th September).

Police are appealing for witnesses and any dash cam footage of the assault.

The suspect is described as a white male, 5ft 7, aged 18 – 20, pale complexion, short dark hair, wearing a white / grey tracksuit top, black bottoms, black Nike trainers and a cross shoulder bag.

Anyone with details should contact “101” quoting ref 3027 of 25/9/20 or contact PC Ross Deedie at Drylaw Police Station.