Police renewing their appeal for information in respect of an assault which occurred on Saturday, 4 January, 2020 at around 2.25am inside Garibaldis nightclub in Hanover Street.
Police have released new images of a male they would like to speak to as they believe he may have information that will assist their ongoing investigation.
The male in the image is described as white, in his early twenties, around 5ft 10ins tall, with mousey brown hair that is longer on the top and shorter at the sides. He is seen in the image to be wearing a light grey or blue top and a black coat.
Those with information can contact Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 0424 of 4 January, 2020. Alternatively, information can be reported anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Police in Edinburgh have released CCTV images of a man they wish to speak to as part of an ongoing investigation into a serious assault in the Grassmarket.
The incident took place in West Port at around 12.00 am on Friday, 4 October, 2019, when a 24-year-old man sustained a serious injury to his face.
The man in the image may be able to assist officers and anyone who recognises him is asked to contact police.
He is described as white, aged between 25 to 35-years-old, with brown hair. He was wearing a light brown jacket, dark jumper, dark jeans and dark shoes.
Detective Constable Thomas Archer, of Gayfield CID said: “The victim was taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary having sustained serious injuries to his face.
“As part of our ongoing enquiries, we’re urging anyone who may recognise this man, or who has any information about this incident, to get in touch with us as soon as possible.
“Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 4699 of 4 October, 2019, or report this anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
BikeRegister, the UK’s largest cycle database and the only one that is police-approved, has valuable advice for anyone wanting to buy a secondhand bike.
Everyone loves a bargain, but if a bike is advertised too cheaply or if the seller seems too keen to ‘seal the deal’ quickly and without proper paperwork, there is usually a reason.
As the UK’s leading online bicycle identification and registration initiative aiming to reduce cycle theft, identify stolen bikes and assist in owner recovery, BikeRegister encourages prospective buyers to take reasonable steps to establish that the secondhand bike they are interested in is not stolen.
If the seller is genuine, they will understand you acting with caution. After all, you could stand to lose not only your hard-earned cash, but also the bike itself if police suspect the seller is a cycle thief.
What to do when buying a secondhand bike:
1.Take a friend with you and always meet the buyer at a home or work address. Alarm bells should be ringing if the buyer suggests meeting in a public place such as a park or a tube station. Never buy from anyone that approaches you on the street.
2.Is the seller bluffing or do they really know the bike’s history? Do they look like they could be the owner of the bike they are selling?
3.Examine the bike thoroughly to check its condition. Also look to see if it has been security marked. You can check the frame number or BikeRegister ID by using our FREE https://www.bikeregister.com/bike-checker facility on the BikeRegister database to make sure that the bike is not listed as stolen.
4.If the seller can produce an original purchase receipt and service history, that’s a good sign of a genuine sale.
5.Is the bike being advertised at market value? If not, ask yourself why?
6.Stock photos shouldn’t be used to sell a bike. The real owner would have original photos that they would be happy to show you.
7.Thieves often alter the appearance of stolen bikes. Does the bike have its original paintwork? Have there been any obvious attempts to remove the frame number or bike marking?
8.If you go ahead with the purchase, always get a receipt for the sale. A genuine seller will be happy to provide one.
9.Make sure you register and mark your new bike on https://www.bikeregister.com/signup. By doing so, it will greatly reduce the chances of having it stolen.
10.If you think you are being sold a stolen bike, don’t go through with the purchase. Report the incident to police by calling 101.
Police in Edinburgh are appealing for information following an assault in the Meadows. The incident happened around 8.30pm last night (Friday 24 July) when an 18-year-old man was assaulted by four other men.
The man was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment of his injuries which are not thought to be serious.
The four suspects are described as males aged between 15 to 17-years-old with brown and blonde short hair. At the time of the incident, one was wearing black shorts and a black top, another with black trousers and one wearing a white hooded top.
Sergeant Grant Robertson, of Howdenhall Community Policing, said: “We believe this incident to be a targeted attack and would like to reassure the public that there is no threat to the wider community.
“This incident happened at a time when the park was busy with other people and I would ask that if anyone witnessed this to contact police, in particular if anyone is in possession of any mobile phone footage.
“Officers will be actively patrolling the area and engaging with the local residents and people that use the park, and as ever, we encourage anyone who witnesses anti-social behaviour to report it to us.
“Police can be contacted on 101 quoting incident number 3785 of Friday, 24 July, 2020.”
Police are appealing for witnesses after it was discovered that a defibrillator has been removed from its case at a premises in Leith.
This was discovered earlier this week at Constitution Street.
Sergeant Kirsty McArthur-Kerr, of the North East Community Policing Team, said: “There are several defibrillators at key locations around Edinburgh which have been funded by charities or donated for public use.
“These are a vital live saving resource and the loss of this one could have potentially fatal consequences. At the moment, we are not sure of the circumstances surrounding the defibrillator being removed from its casing, so we are appealing to the public to contact us if they have any information which may help us trace it.
“Anyone with information should contact us on 101 quoting incident number 1647 of 21 July or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Police in Edinburgh are appealing for information after a cyclist was injured in a crash in the city. The 51-year-old woman was found injured on Braid Road in Edinburgh around 11.20am on Sunday (19 July).
She was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment. Her injuries are described as being serious but non-life threatening.
The cyclist is not believed to have been struck by any other vehicles. Enquiries are ongoing to establish what caused her to come off her grey Apollo bicycle.
Inspector Roger Park of Edinburgh Road Policing said: “We are particularly keen to speak to a man who came to the cyclist’s aid but then left without leaving his name or contact details.
“If that was you or if anyone else has any information about the incident then please call 101, quoting incident 1597 of 19 July, 2020.”
During the summer drink and drug drive campaign, which ran from 27 June to 10 July, police officers stopped 7457 drivers and 264 of these were detected for drink/drug offences.
Additionally 122 people failed the roadside drug test and enquiries into these incidents remain ongoing, pending forensic tests.
Deputy Head of Road Policing, Superintendent Simon Bradshaw said: “Over the course of our summer road safety campaign 1 in 28 drivers were detected for drink/drug offences and it is disappointing that we are still stopping people who drive whilst under the influence of drink or drugs.”
Out of the drivers detected over the drink-drive limit, 27 were caught ‘the morning after’.
Notable incidents include:
• A 52-year-old man charged in connection with alleged drink driving and speeding after being detected driving at over 90mph on the A96 at Carden, near Alves and found to be nearly five times over the limit on 9 July.
• A 27-year-old man charged in connection with alleged drink driving, disqualified driving and refusing to provide an evidential specimen of breath after being seen by CCTV driving his vehicle erratically near Cleland in Lanarkshire on 28 June.
Superintendent Bradshaw added: “Our campaign this year was intelligence led in order to target areas where we know people take unnecessary risks by drink or drug driving.
“It is disappointing to see that despite our advice and that of our Road Safety partners, some people are still willing to put themselves, and other innocent members of the public, at risk by drink or drug driving.
“Drink or drug driving is known to be a contributory factor in serious injury and fatal collisions. By driving under the influence of drink or drugs, your actions could be responsible for causing someone’s death or your own, leaving behind grieving family and friends.
“We continue to see a number of drivers reported to us by family members, friends or colleagues and I want to thank people who had the courage to report drink or drug drivers to us. This information helps our officers to act quickly to stop drivers under the influence before they seriously injure or kill someone and I would continue to encourage reporting of such unacceptable behaviour to us.”
Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “It is disappointing that there continues to be a persistent minority of drivers who ignore the law and put their lives and those of others at risk, by driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
“This is the first summer campaign with Scotland’s new drug driving offence operating and the irresponsible actions of these few drivers caught under the influence is discouraging as we try to make Scotland’s roads safer.
“My message is absolutely clear; to drink and drive is utterly unacceptable and will ruin lives. We fully support Police Scotland’s summer enforcement campaign, which reinforces the message that the best approach is none.”
SEPA enforcement team targets criminals and chancers using social media to sell illegal waste services
Regulator reminds waste companies that compliance with the law is non-negotiable
Illegal operators contributing to fly-tipping and other illegal waste activity
Public are reminded – don’t engage the services of people who are not authorised
Chancers advertising illegal waste collections on social media sites are being targeted by Scotland’s environmental regulator in a new digital clampdown.
Household recycling centres are now open but many have restrictions in place – and people may still have bulky items and excess waste that cannot be transported. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is warning those trying to make a quick buck from the current situation by operating illegally that they are firmly in the spotlight, and that direct warnings would be sent to those not registered with SEPA placing adverts – with fines of up to £5,000 for non-compliance.
SEPA’s specialist enforcement team has been working alongside partners Police Scotland, Zero Waste Scotland and local authorities throughout the lockdown period to tackle waste crime across Scotland.
These specialist officers are monitoring sites like Facebook and Gumtree to catch waste criminals as part of a wider effort to deter illegal activity across the waste management chain. SEPA is very clear that those who deliberately flout the rules will face the uncompromising regulator their behaviour deserves.
Jennifer Shearer, Head of Enforcement at the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, said: “We know that illegal activity places further stress on legitimate operators – especially where services are being pushed through social media and other channels.
“Through our monitoring of social media we’ve unfortunately seen a number of instances of couriers and so-called white van men taking the opportunity to offer an unauthorised waste collection service and then often dumping in public spaces or remote parts of countryside – creating an unsafe environmental hazard and an eyesore for the local community.
“Having witnessed an increase in adverts of this kind in recent months, our digital disruption is designed to take those operating illegally, out of the market.”
Where enforcement officers identify that adverts and messages are being distributed by carriers not registered with SEPA, they will make contact to warn them that they are operating illegally. If they do not apply for a registration or stop activities, SEPA will take enforcement action which could see them subjected to fines or criminal prosecution.
There is also an important role for the public, with a warning that the use of unlicensed waste collectors could result in waste contributing to fly-tipping and other illegal activity.
“Don’t engage the services of people who are not authorised,” Shearer explains. “Remember, services that sound too good to be true often are, and could lead to your waste being illegally fly-tipped or disposed of by other illegitimate means.
“Anyone offering to take your waste away should be able to provide a waste carrier registration number and tell you the named facility they will take the waste to – if they can’t provide this information, don’t allow them to take your waste.
“Now more than ever, Scots are recognising the importance of local services like recycling and the part we all play in correctly managing our waste. You have the responsibility to take care of your waste and if we trace it back to you we can take enforcement action against you too. We don’t want people to be put in that situation so make sure that anyone who takes your waste for disposal is properly accredited.”
Roseanna Cunningham, Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, added: “We owe a massive thank you to all those in the waste industry who are working hard to keep services running in challenging circumstances. Illegal activities such as flytipping adds to the burden of those who continue to deliver essential services.
“SEPA has a vital role in regulating and monitoring waste carrier services and I welcome the proactive approach they are taking to target unregistered waste businesses. It is vital that individuals take responsibility for checking that the waste carrier they use is registered and will dispose of waste correctly.”
Visiting the new website – managingourwaste.scot – from SEPA, Zero Waste Scotland and partners, you will find updates and advice on how to manage waste. As part of Scotland’s campaign to help manage waste during current restrictions the site also explains how you can help to tackle fly-tipping. SEPA is also offering support to help those managing our waste operate against the challenges of coronavirus.
Top 3 Do’s and Don’ts of Household Waste Disposal
DO use common sense. If you are approached out of the blue with an offer to dispose of your waste so quickly and cheaply is sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
DON’T entrust your waste with someone if they are unable to tell you basic information like their waste carrier registration number and the named site they are taking the waste to.
DO take responsibility for who you give waste to – if we trace illegally disposed of waste back to you then you could be liable for enforcement action too.
A partnership between police and NHS Lothian has been hugely successful in reducing the number of people going missing from healthcare facilities in the Capital.
Between 2014 and 2015 analysis was undertaken by Police Scotland into the time and resource devoted to tracing those who left the grounds of the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Royal Edinburgh Hospital and Western General Hospital.
The average amount of policing hours spent looking for an individual, who goes missing from an acute health unit, is over three hours. This figure rises to 15 and a half hours for those who absconded who go missing from mental health care units.
The analysis by Edinburgh Division officers alongside NHS Lothian staff NHS Lothian staff was used to formulate a strategy in order to address this issue.
As a result, an joint initiative was launched to help dissuade people who were attending hospital from leaving without first notifying staff.
The campaign, which included leaflets and posters for display in prominent locations, outlined what happens when someone goes missing, the associated costs involved and what people could do to ensure that they did not inadvertently become a missing person.
Posters and leaflets were displayed and distributed within these facilities advising the public that if they go missing, then family members, friends and even work colleagues may be contacted to establish their whereabouts.
The literature also provided an overview as to the associated policing costs of a missing person inquiry.
In addition to raising public awareness, information sharing protocols were agreed with NHS Lothian, which enable enhanced risk assessment, allowing us to take a more informed approach when responding to a missing person case. to each case.
Since the launch of this campaign, the number of missing people from hospitals in Edinburgh reduced by 26% in 2019.
Work continues to reduce these numbers further to relieve the burden on frontline policing and spare families from the distress of a loved one going missing.
Chief Inspector Neil Wilson from Edinburgh Division said: “The reasons why a person goes missing are often complex and varied and the purpose of this initiative was as much to understand these issues, as it was deterring people from becoming a missing person.
“We, along with our partners, felt it prudent to inform the public about what actually happens once they are reported missing and what that means for their family, friends and colleagues, as well as the staffing hours incurred by police and NHS staff.
“The support this project has received from NHS Lothian has been outstanding and demonstrates a real commitment to joint working. and they have demonstrated a real commitment to mitigating against people going missing from their premises.
“It is great to see this initiative having such a positive impact, however neither agency will become complacent in our efforts, as we continue to work together to minimise the number of people who go missing from Edinburgh’s hospitals. “
Dr. Tracey Gillies, Medical Director, NHS Lothian said, “I would like to thank Chief Inspector Wilson and his team for their continued support, as together we respond to this important issue.”
Police Scotland has launched its annual campaign to ensure the safety of motorcyclists using Scotland’s roads with a weekend of action across the country.
Motorcyclists are among the most vulnerable road users and while they make up just one per cent of the traffic on our roads they account for around 13 per cent of fatalities.
Police Scotland is committed to improving road safety through targeted campaign activity to raise awareness of the risks to vulnerable road users.
During the summer months, increased focus is given to motorcycle safety as larger numbers of motorcyclists take their bikes out to take advantage of the good weather.
As such, Road Policing Officers are urging motorists to be extra vigilant for motorcycles during their journeys and ensure they give sufficient room when following or overtaking bikers.
Similarly, drivers are reminded to continually check for motorcycles when moving off, or emerging from junctions.
Riders also have an important role to play in ensuring their own safety by travelling at an appropriate speed for the road, weather and traffic conditions, wearing high-visibility clothing and always wearing a helmet and other appropriate attire.
In previous years, officers would hold engagement events at various locations for motorcycle riders. However, due to the current physical distancing guidelines, such large-scale events are not possible at this time.
Anyone wishing to obtain information on how they can stay safe on Scotland’s roads should access the road safety information and guidance available on the Police Scotland or Road Safety Scotland websites.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1281597838808555520
Superintendent Simon Bradshaw from Police Scotland’s Road Policing Division, said: “As we have seen in the past few weeks, Scotland has experienced some glorious weather, and similar dry and sunny spells are expected throughout the rest of the summer.
“This means that increased traffic on our roads is likely, including a larger number of motorcyclists.
“With that in mind, it is essential that all drivers are mindful of other road users and pay particular attention for motorbikes. Likewise, they must ensure their behaviour behind the wheel does not put riders, or anyone else, at risk.
“Motorcyclists must also play their part in keeping themselves safe and I would urge motorcyclists to always ride responsibly, ensuring they wear all the necessary safety clothing and travel at safe speeds, appropriate to the conditions they face.
“Road Policing Officers will continue to monitor the road network across the country and any offences we observe will be dealt with appropriately, be it educating drivers and riders or taking enforcement action.
“Please help us in our efforts to reduce road casualties and fatalities by taking all relevant safety precautions when driving or riding. If you would like advice and guidance on how to stay safe on Scotland’s roads then please visit our website at www.scotland.police.uk or Road Safety Scotland at https://roadsafety.scot “
