Men must take responsibility for ending sexual violence by changing their attitudes and behaviours towards women as well as challenging those of their peers.Police Scotland’s latest sexual crime prevention campaign continues to put the cause of sexual offending where it belongs – with men.
The That Guy campaign builds on previous Police Scotland #GetConsent campaigns, targeting men aged 18 – 35 years who are most likely to commit sexual offences.
Its aim is to urge men to take responsibility for their actions and language to help affect a culture change to tackle sexual crime against women.
The campaign features a new advert which will run on several online platforms, including social media.
Launching the campaign, Deputy Chief Constable Malcolm Graham, Police Scotland said: “It’s time that we men reflected on our own behaviours and attitudes – and those of our friends, family and colleagues – towards women in order to prevent rape, sexual assault and harassment.
“We want all women to be free to live their lives without worrying about their safety.
“Women are not responsible for the sexual offences committed against them and should be able to go about their daily lives without worrying about being sexually harassed, assaulted or raped.
“It’s up to men to step up, to not be ‘that guy’ and to stop sexual offending before it starts.”
A 15-year-old girl has been charged in connection with a racially aggravated assault. The incident happened shortly after 9pm last Friday (8th October) on Leith Street.
A report will be submitted to the youth justice authorities.
Chief Inspector Clark Martin said: ““Racism and discrimination of any kind is unacceptable and has no place in our society and we thoroughly investigate all incidents which are reported to us.
“We also work closely with a range of partner agencies, including universities and students organisations, to ensure students and young people feel safe in our city.
“We will be carrying out additional patrols in Edinburgh city centre to reassure people and to address any concerns. These patrols will be carried out with a specific focus on youth disorder.”
A man has been arrested and charged following an attempted robbery at a convenience store on West Granton Road.
The incident happened around 7.45am yesterday (Sunday, 10 October). The 31-year-old man is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court tomorrow (Tuesday 12 October).
Detective Inspector Kevin Tait said: “Fortunately no one was hurt and there was no threat to the wider public. I would like to thank the public for their patience.”
Police officers and staff in Scotland are being provided with improved and updated identification.
The new warrant and authorisation cards include additional security features which make them more difficult to replicate.
Officers and staff are also being encouraged to provide a clear, up to date, photograph for use on the cards and, where images are over 10 years old, a new image is required.
Deputy Chief Constable Fiona Taylor said: “The provision of new warrant and authorisation cards is an important opportunity to ensure identification includes clear, up to date, images of officers and staff.
“The new identification also includes enhanced security features which makes it harder to replicate.
“Officers work all across Scotland, every minute of every day to help people and will approach any member of the public who appears distressed or vulnerable, to offer support and assistance.
“The onus is on policing to build and maintain the public confidence and consent critical to our legitimacy and our ability to keep our communities and citizens safe.
“Officers will always carry identification and will be happy to provide further reassurance about who they are and their reason for speaking with someone if requested, including through the new verification process introduced on 2 October.”
The new warrant and authorisation cards feature the Police Scotland logo, a hologram and the signature of Chief Constable Iain Livingstone.
The cards have been developed over a number of months and will be rolled-out in the coming weeks.
Police continue to be made aware of an increasing number of so-called “sextortion” crimes recently, with more and more social media users falling victim to this unpleasant type of scam.
These usually involve the victim being enticed to send nude or explicit photos or videos to someone who has befriended them online, then being blackmailed into sending money (or in some incidents, gift cards) to prevent them being distributed to people they know.
Detective Sergeant Oliver Healy from Gayfield Police CID said: “The perpetrator’s aim is to build trust and convince the victim that they are interested in becoming involved in an online sexual interaction with them which often takes place via a video chat platforms initiated by the perpetrator.
“During the video chat, the perpetrator will persuade the victim to expose themselves which they record without the victim’s knowledge. This will be followed up by a demand for money from the victim and the threat of sharing the recordings with their friends and family.
“We would ask people to consider what they share and who they share it with. They should, ideally, only share pictures online that they are happy with their friends, family and others seeing. Switching communication from one platform to another is a tactic used during these scams to gain as much information about a victim.
“The simplest way to avoid falling victim is to refrain from accepting friend requests from people you don’t know.
“If you find yourself being blackmailed or extorted in this way, contact us on 101 or 999 in an emergency. You will be given support and your report will be taken in utmost confidence.”
Further information on keeping safe online can be found on the website – http://ow.ly/yT4C50GmHjz
Police in Edinburgh are appealing for information following an abduction and attempted murder incident which happened in the city centre overnight.
At around 10.45pm on Wednesday, 6 October, 2021, officers were alerted to a disturbance in Claremont Court where men were reported to have been fighting with weapons. One man was seen to have been forced from his vehicle, a grey Audi S5, into a second vehicle, which is described as a dark coloured hatchback.
This vehicle was reported to have blue flashing lights activated on the dashboard. The vehicle left Claremont Court along with two other vehicles; the grey Audi S5 and a white van.
A short time later officers were called to McDonald Road where the man forced into the back of the hatchback was found injured. It is believed that he had been assaulted while within the car, which had then driven at him when he exited the vehicle. This car then fled the scene.
The injured man, aged 26, was taken to hospital for treatment. His injuries are not life-threatening.
At around 1am this morning (Thursday 7 October), officers were called to Magdalene Avenue following a car fire. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service extinguished the fire.
The vehicle found here has been confirmed as the grey Audi S5, which was stolen from the 26-year-old man in Claremont Court earlier in the night.
Detective Inspector Kevin Tait said: “The level of violence and intimidation shown during this incident is shocking and thankfully the victim was not left seriously injured. We believe this was a targeted attack.
“The suspects involved in his abduction from Claremont Court are believed to have arrived at the scene in two vehicles, the first a dark coloured hatchback, and the second a white van. Witnesses have reported there being four men, all wearing balaclavas.
“I’d urge anyone who witnessed the incidents in Claremont Court or McDonald Road to come forward and speak to officers. We’re especially keen for anyone who may have captured the incidents on dash cam or private CCTV to check their systems and provide relevant footage to us.
“The dark coloured hatchback vehicle the suspects used had blue lights activated on top of the dashboard at the front windscreen. This was not a police vehicle. I’d urge anyone who knows more about this vehicle, or could help us trace it and those connected to it, to get in contact with officers as soon as possible.”
Those with information should contact Police Scotland on 101 and quote incident number 3764 of 6 October. An anonymous report can be given to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Police Scotland is launching a six week campaign to highlight the work of Project Servator – a tactic designed to disrupt a range of criminal activity, including terrorism, while providing a reassuring presence for the public.
Project Servator deployments will form an important part of the policing operation for COP26 and Police Scotland has been working with Glasgow City Council, British Transport Police (BTP) and the business community to build a network of vigilance and encourage the reporting of suspicious or unusual activity.
The highly visible and unpredictable deployments are carried out regularly across the country by police officers specially trained to identify individuals who may be planning or preparing to commit a crime.
These officers are supported by a range of specialist resources including police dogs, horses, armed officers, CCTV operators and security staff, and can use Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology.
Key to the success of Project Servator is the support of the public to be extra eyes and ears for the police, reporting anything that doesn’t seem right, to help make it even harder for criminals to succeed. A six week advertising campaign will remind people of the important part they can play.
Superintendent Pat O’Callaghan, Lead Planner for COP26, said: “COP26 is one of the largest policing operations the UK has seen and we plan to utilise all resources at our disposal to support the delivery of a safe and secure event.
“Project Servator has proven to be an effective tactic in helping to disrupt criminal activity and keep people safe and has been deployed successfully at major events in the past such as the Commonwealth Games and Edinburgh Festivals.
“Support from businesses, partners and members of the public is vital to its success which is why we are working with communities, British Transport Police and local authorities and councils across the country, including the host city of Glasgow. We can all play a part and I would encourage you to get involved.
“If there’s a Project Servator deployment taking place in your area, speak to our officers who will be happy to provide information and reassurance. Together, we’ll help keep COP26 and Scotland safe. Remember if you see something suspicious, or if something doesn’t feel right, let us know immediately. You can do this by speaking to a police officer or calling 101 or 999 in an emergency.”
Superintendent Dave Marshall, British Transport Police said: “We’ve been using Project Servator across the railway network for nearly six years now and seen first-hand the effectiveness of this tactic in deterring crime and terrorism, particularly when it comes to policing significant events.
“Project Servator will form a vital part of our policing operation for COP26, as we work closely with Police Scotland and our railway partners to ensure the safety and security of the travelling public.
“Passengers can expect to see specialist resources such as search dogs and armed police on patrol as part of these Project Servator deployments, but we need your help too. Please remember to keep an eye out for anything that doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts and report it to us using our discreet text number 61016 or 999 in an emergency.”
Denise Hamilton, head of COP26 team, Glasgow City Council, said: “We know that support from our businesses and citizens is crucial in helping us host a safe and successful summit.
“Glasgow will be busy and people can play their part by remaining vigilant while moving around the city during COP26 and reporting anything that doesn’t seem or feel right. Our COP26 volunteers who will be based at various transport hubs, hotels and venues around the city will also be keeping an eye out for suspicious activity.”
Around 10,000 officers will be deployed each day during the COP26 climate conference for what will be one of the largest policing operations undertaken in the UK.
Road policing officers are appealing for information after a man was hit by a car which failed to stop on the Edinburgh City Bypass. The incident happened on the A720 westbound near the Lothianburn Junction shortly after 1.15am this morning (Sunday 3 October).
The 31-year-old man had stopped his Volkswagen car on the on-slip road to repair a puncture when he was struck by a vehicle. This vehicle failed to stop and continued on the City Bypass in the direction of the Dreghorn Junction.
The man was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment to serious injuries.The road reopened shortly before 4am following an investigation.
Sergeant Jennifer Forbes of Police Scotland’s Road Policing Unit said: “Following our investigation at the scene, we believe the vehicle involved is in this incident was a white Audi Q3 or Q4 car and it will have obvious collision damage to the front bodywork.
“I would urge anyone who believes they may have seen a vehicle matching this description or something similar to get in touch.
“We would also be keen to speak to anyone who was on the City Bypass early on Sunday morning and may have dashcam footage to come forward.“Anyone with information can call 101, quoting incident 0282 of 3 October.”
Op Tutelage – a national policing initiative where drivers who appear to have no motor insurance are sent advisory letters – has encouraged over 150,000 motorists across the UK to drive insured since being introduced in January 2020.
In Scotland nearly 6,600 advisory letters have been issued. Police Scotland comments.
The initiative uses a nudge approach to positively influence decision making. Around 3 in 4 recipients have been successfully encouraged to make sure their vehicle becomes insured.
Op Tutelage helps roads policing focus resources on the remaining dangerous drivers who intentionally drive without insurance – making roads safer and fairer for all.
Op Tutelage – a national policing initiative where police forces issue advisory letters to drivers that appear to have no motor insurance – has encouraged over 150,000 motorists across the UK to drive insured.
The initiative which is led by the NPCC’s National Roads Policing Operations, Intelligence and Investigation (NRPOII) and supported by the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB), was introduced in January 2020 to help reduce uninsured driving levels across the UK.
By using MIB’s Motor Insurance Database (MID) – a central record of all active motor insurance policies in the UK – police forces can quickly identify any vehicle that appears not to have insurance and send the registered keeper an advisory letter.
Results have been highly successful with 151,464 drivers correcting their insurance status to date following over 215,000 advisory letters issued thus far, which equates to around 3 in 4 people.
In Scotland alone 6,594 advisory letters have been issued so far.
Op Tutelage’s advisory letters were developed alongside Dr Helen Wells, a criminologist and roads policing expert from Keele University and Director of the Roads Policing Academic Network. By drawing on research into the use of nudges, behaviour change approaches and the concept of procedural justice, the letters encourage motorists to take corrective action and drive insured.
There are a range of reasons why someone’s vehicle might show as uninsured on the MID. Causes stem from the unintentional such as drivers not realising their policy has expired or admin errors, all the way through to those willing to break the law by intentionally driving without insurance.
By sending out advisory letters, police forces want to give a chance to those who may have not realised their vehicle was uninsured to correct this before heading out on the road. Roads policing officers are then more likely to stop motorists who intentionally drive without insurance, who are linked to a higher rate of collisions and additional road traffic offences.
With all the UK’s 45 police forces having now signed up to Op Tutelage, the results have continued to grow per month. August alone saw more than 10,000 drivers nationally go from uninsured to insured.
Chief Superintendent Louise Blakelock, Head of Road Policing at Police Scotland, said: “Op Tutelage is an effective way of reducing the number of uninsured vehicles on our roads. There are a number of reasons why a vehicle may show on the Motor Insurance Database as holding no insurance and Op Tutelage provides an opportunity for registered keepers to take action as necessary.
“Police Scotland is committed to keeping the roads safe and this operation allows our officers to take action against those who deliberately break the law and put other road users in danger.”
Ben Fletcher, Chief Customer Officer at MIB, said: “Op Tutelage is delivering outstanding results. By utilising MID data and behavioural change approaches, we can encourage most drivers who are not correctly insured to positively act.
“This means roads policing can focus more of their resources on the minority of motorists who deliberately break the law and put road users at greater risk.
“With traffic returning to pre-pandemic levels the last thing anyone needs is to be impacted by uninsured motorists. I’m very pleased to say that Op Tutelage is helping to make roads safer and fairer for everyone. I look forward to seeing the great results of MIB’s partnership with NRPOII as we continue to drive down uninsured driving levels.”
Dr Helen Wells, Criminologist at Keele University and Director of the Roads Policing Academic Network, said: “Some people who drive without insurance do so by mistake, but others do it on purpose, and Op Tutelage helps the police focus their resources on those drivers that really need taking off the road.
Feedback shows that the public think this is a fair and legitimate way to police the roads and that the police value the extra intelligence it gives them.”
Alongside Op Tutelage, MIB works with police on a range of initiatives to tackle uninsured driving.
Roads police can access the MID to check if a vehicle appears to be uninsured. If disputed by the driver, the officer can contact MIB’s Police Helpline whose Agents liaise with insurers in real-time to confirm if valid insurance exists.
Driving without insurance can result in a £300 fixed penalty notice, six licence points and the driver’s vehicle can be seized and crushed. In addition, uninsured drivers can face court where they could receive an unlimited fine and a driving ban.
Over 148,000 vehicles were seized for no insurance across the UK in 2020, at a rate of one every four minutes.
MIB is encouraging motorists to check that their vehicle is showing as insured on the MID which can be done for free at www.askMID.co.uk
