Tag: Police Scotland

Crimestoppers launches appeal for anonymous information on the 1994 unsolved murder of Shona Stevens

The charity offers a reward of up to £10,000 for information that leads to the arrest of those responsible for Shona’s murder as appeal features on BBC1’s Crimewatch Live programme

Crimestoppers Scotland is offering a reward and appealing for anonymous information in connection with the historic case of the murder of Shona Stevens.

Shona was brutally attacked on 10th November 1994 near her home at Irvine, in North Ayrshire. She was aged 31 at the time and died three days later as a result of severe head injuries.

The mother of one had left the Co-op store at Bourtreehill Shopping Centre at lunchtime. She was last seen at around 1. 10pm on Towerlands Road. Her body was sadly found nearby in a wooded area around ten minutes later.

The charity is supporting police by encouraging anyone who prefers to stay anonymous to contact us with information.

***Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to £10,000 for anonymous information the charity exclusively receives – via its website Crimestoppers-uk.org or by phone on 0800 555 111 – that leads to the conviction of the person or people responsible for Shona Stevens’ murder ***

Mick Duthie, Director of Operations at the charity Crimestoppers, said: “This is such a sad case of the brutal murder of a young mum who was making her way home from a local store.

“The motive is still unknown. It may be that you had suspicions or even knew what happened all those years ago, but were either too scared or for other reasons, failed to come forward.

“Our charity supports police by passing on anonymous information we receive that helps keep people and communities safe from harm. We are urgently appealing for anyone who knows or suspects who was behind this truly awful murder to do the right thing. We are offering £10,000 for information given exclusively and anonymously to us that leads to the conviction of whoever was responsible.

“Shona’s murder left a daughter without a mother – her family and friends are still waiting and deserve to see justice happen. We know it’s difficult to speak up about crime, especially if it’s about someone close to home. Since we began in the late 1980s, our charity has always kept its cast-iron guarantee to the hundreds of thousands of Scots who have trusted us with their anonymous information over the decades.

“Please help us to protect the community and see justice served by telling us completely anonymously what you know. You can talk to us by calling our UK Contact Centre which is open 24/7 on freephone 0800 555 111 or you can use our easy and secure anonymous online form at crimestoppers-uk.org.

*** Information passed directly to police will not qualify. The reward will only qualify for information given exclusively to the charity Crimestoppers’ 0800 555 111 number or via the simple and secure anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org ***

Please note: Computer IP addresses are never traced and no-one will ever know you contacted us. For telephone calls, we have no caller line display, no 1471 facility and have never traced a call.

Spate of robberies: man charged

A 31-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with a series of robberies at business premises in Edinburgh.

The man has been charged in connection with 13 incidents in various areas across the city between Friday, 27 August and Wednesday, 8 September.

He is expected to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court tomorrow.

Police events to mark World Suicide Prevention Day

Yesterday saw the first of Police Scotland’s events to mark World Suicide Prevention Day which is on Friday (10th September).

We are grateful to Veterans First Point Lothian and Ithrive Edinburgh who joined us at Whitefoord House and also at the Gyle Shopping Centre to raise awareness of the support available to people affected by suicide.

Police are holding two events today, both of which run from 11am until 2pm:

They will be at Ocean Terminal along with Projekt 42PenumbraChris’s House and The Edinburgh Crisis Centre.

A team will also be at the Veteran’s Cafe in The Stafford Centre with Veterans First Point Lothian and Ithrive Edinburgh

Students: Be Like Sam!

Police Scotland issues Student Safety Advice

Whether you’re studying at university, college or online this year, it’s important to stay safe and #BeLikeSam.Sam knows how to appropriately behave at parties and with others, and understands the importance of keeping themselves, their belongings and their online profiles safe.

Before you kick off your university life, take a look at our Student Safety tips on our website: http://ow.ly/m4VI50G3BD8

#BeLikeSam

#StudentSafety

Tackling wildlife crime: Operation Wingspan enters final phase

Operation Wingspan, a year-long campaign to tackle wildlife crime, working with partners, including the Partnership Against Wildlife Crime (PAW) Scotland, has seen considerable success and is now entering its final phase.

This involves officers working on the persecution of fresh water pearl mussels and tackling all aspects of poaching, including hare coursing. As with previous phases, it will involve a combination of enforcement action and education.

Overall, the campaign has involved officers engaging with a number of organisations, including the agricultural community, ranger services, land managers and game keepers with the aim of educating the wider public and encouraging them to report wildlife crime to the police.

Detective Sergeant Billy Telford, Police Scotland’s Wildlife Crime Co-ordinator, said: “We have many internationally renowned species that attract thousands of nature lovers and tourists every year to Scotland, but many crimes against wildlife are cruel and barbaric, often involving a painful death.

“From hunting deer, hares or badgers with dogs, to using poisons or snares on protected birds, and protecting one of our lesser known species, the critically endangers freshwater pearl mussel, Operation Wingspan is raising awareness and hopefully encouraging people to come forward and report this kind of crime.”

Operation Wingspan began in October 2020 and Phase One saw officers tackling the trade in endangered species and included visits to over 300 business premises, such as antique dealers, retro shops and pet shops across Scotland to advise owners and provide information about potential contraventions under The Control of Trade in Endangered Species (COTES) 2018 regulations.

It resulted in the seizure and recovery of alligator heads from across the country.

Phase Two tackled badger persecution, working with the charity Scottish Badgers, to highlight that badgers and their setts are protected, that it is an offence to harm or interfere with them and that badger baiting is illegal. Where ongoing risks were identified, action was taken to protect the sett and the badgers.

Phase Three saw officers taking part in a construction conference to outline the responsibilities of developers, highlighting that it is an offence to destroy or damage roosts, as well as engaging with bat groups and visiting vulnerable roosts, ultimately leading to people being charged for undertaking development that threatened the welfare of bats.

In Phase Four concentrated on raptor persecution. Officers have carried out a number of activities, including patrols of vulnerable nesting sites, warrants executed in relation to wildlife crime and a social media campaign with an educational video that was produced in collaboration with the RSPB.

Detective Chief Superintendent Laura McLuckie said: “Reports of wildlife crime doubled during lockdown and Police Scotland is dedicated to working closely with a wide range of partner organisations to reduce the harm to species targeted by criminals and the communities who rely on them for employment and tourism across Scotland.

“Tackling wildlife crime is not just about enforcement, it is also about working with partners and raising public awareness to prevent it happening. Indeed, the public has an important role in helping up to investigate reports of wildlife crime and I would urge anyone with concerns or who suspect a wildlife crime has been committed to contact us on 101, and if it is an emergency to call 999.”

More information can be found on the website: 

https://www.scotland.police.uk/wildlifecrime

Backing for staff facing abuse

Abuse directed at retail and bar staff who ask customers to comply with the law and wear face coverings will not be tolerated, Justice Secretary Keith Brown said yesterday.

It continues to be a legal requirement to wear face coverings in places such as shops and pubs and on public transport unless exempt – and Mr Brown said any form of abuse, threats or violence faced by workers as a result of simply doing their job is “completely unacceptable”.

It comes as new powers came into force in Scotland last month, making assaulting, threating or abusing certain staff a new standalone offence. Previously such conduct would be dealt with under more general offences.

Face coverings are a hugely important mitigation in the fight against COVID-19 as they create a physical barrier that helps stop the virus spreading from an infected person, while providing a degree of protection to the wearer against exposure to the virus. 

Mr Brown urged people to follow the rules and treat staff with respect as Scotland continued to face high infection levels.

He said: “I would like to thank the vast majority of people who continue to wear face coverings and urge people to please follow the rules and guidelines still in place. It is still a requirement to wear face coverings in indoor public places, such as shops, public transport and when entering and moving about in hospitality settings.

“Everyone who can should wear a face covering because it is a simple and vital measure we can take to protect others and stem the spread of this deadly virus.

“Retail workers and those working in hospitality play a vital role serving our communities which has been clearly demonstrated throughout the pandemic and it’s extremely important they know they have the protection of the law when carrying out their duties.

“Any form of abuse, threats or violence faced by such workers as a result of simply doing their job is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

“Parliament recently introduced a standalone law with penalties of up to 12 months in prison and fines up to £10,000 for this type of behaviour and staff serving communities across Scotland can be assured the police and prosecution services stand ready to respond to any instances as necessary.”

DCC Malcolm Graham of Police Scotland said: “Everyone has the right to go to their work without being threatened or assaulted.

“Retail workers now have added protection in law and the police will act on reports we receive about this kind of unacceptable behaviour.

“I would also continue to encourage people to follow the regulations and guidance that remain in place to help stop the spread of coronavirus.”

Solicitor General for Scotland Ruth Charteris QC said: “People in any walk of life should expect to go about their business without the fear of threats or abuse.

“This is true of shop workers who are protected in law and deserve our thanks and appreciation for the work they have done throughout the pandemic.”

By law, you must wear a face covering in certain indoor public places, including public transport, in Scotland unless an exemption applies.

See the complete list of settings where we all have to wear face coverings.

Walter Anderson: body found

Around 9.50pm last night (Saturday, 4 September, 2021) police were called after the body of a man was discovered in the river at the rear of Harlaw Road in Balerno.

The deceased has been formally identified as Walter Anderson (84) who had been reported missing from the Edinburgh area.

His relatives are aware.

There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

The media and members of the public are thanked for their support during the police investigation.

Have you seen Walter?

UPDATE: SUNDAY 5 SEPTEMBER

I am sad to report that Police have confirmed that a body discovered in a river behind houses in Harlaw Road in Balerno last night is that of Walter Anderson.

There are no supsicious circumstances and Walter’s family have been informed.

THE MISSING PERSON STORY …

Police are appealing for help to trace an elderly man reported missing in the city. Walter Anderson (84), was last seen in the Clovenstone Drive area around 11pm on Thursday (2 September 2021).

He has not been seen or heard from since and there is growing concern for his welfare.

Walter is described as 5ft 10in tall, of medium build, with brown hair which is partially balding and wears glasses. He is possibly wearing a short navy blue jacket.He is known to frequent the west side of Edinburgh.

Inspector Claire Masterton, of Edinburgh Drylaw Station, said: “Walter has Alzheimers so he may appear confused or lost. We are becoming increasingly concerned for his welfare and are keen to find him as soon as possible.

“I would urge anyone who may have seen Walter to contact us as soon as possible.”Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident 1204 of 3 September.

UPDATE

Officers are carrying out enquiries in the Currie area of Edinburgh following a sighting of Walter walking Westwards on Lanark Road West on CCTV images around 5am on Friday, 3 September, 2021.

UPDATE 2:

Following further enquiries, the most recent sighting of Walter Anderson is now of him walking on Bavelaw Road in the Balerno area of Edinburgh around 7am on Friday, 3 September.

He remains missing and enquiries are ongoing to trace him.Anyone with information can call 101, quoting incident 1204 of 3 September.