Detectives investigating the serious assault of a woman in Dalkeith have launched an online portal for members of the public to contact officers directly, one week on from the attack.
Between 5.30pm and 6pm on Friday, 4 October, 2024, a 26-year-old woman was attacked on a path in a wooded area near the golf club on Abbey Road.
Emergency services attended and the woman was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
An extensive investigation remains ongoing, with a significant police presence remaining in the area. The online portal that gives people access to a form to send information, pictures or videos directly to the team can be accessed by following the link: https://mipp.police.uk/
Detective Chief Inspector Nicky McGovern said: “We’d like to thank the local community for their continued assistance with our investigation, as we continue to appeal for information as part of our extensive enquiries into this attack.
“We are continuing to assess a significant amount of information and have a dedicated team of officers carrying out local and CCTV enquiries at this time.
“Anyone who has yet to speak to police, and has information which may assist our investigation, is asked to contact us.”
Inspector David Rourke, Deputy Local Area Commander, said: “I’d like to reassure the public that we have increased high visibility patrols in the area and these will continue over the coming days as enquiries progress.
“Anyone with information or concerns can speak to these officers.”
If you believe you have information which could assist officers, please use the online portal link above, or contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting reference number 3107 of 4 October, 2024.
Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Police Scotland led a multi-agency day of action in Kirkcaldy in relation to an ongoing human trafficking and modern slavery investigation.
One male aged 18 was arrested for human trafficking and modern slavery offences and has been released pending further enquiry.
A 52-year-old woman and a 46-year-old man were arrested for immigration offences and enquiries are ongoing.
Officers visited a business in the area on the morning of Thursday, 10 October, 2024, following intelligence received.
Representatives from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC), Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the Gangmasters and Labour Exploitation Authority (GLAA) and Justice and Care were also in attendance.
Detective Inspector Scott Wilson from Dumfries CID said: “Human trafficking and modern slavery are happening in our communities and this operation demonstrates our commitment to tackling this issue.
“We work closely with our partners to identify situations where this criminality is taking place and provide appropriate support to victims. However we cannot do this alone, and it is important that we increase awareness of the warning signs so that reporting can increase.
“Signs that someone could be being exploited at work can include being paid no legal wage and having little or no money, living in poor conditions and having their time on and off duty controlled by their employers.
“If you suspect modern slavery is happening in your community it is vital that you report this and enable us to protect victims and take action against those responsible for this exploitation.”
Anyone with information can contact Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Six people have been arrested following incidents of violence and disorder in the St Andrew’s Square area after the Hibs v Motherwell match last night (Saturday 5 October).
An investigation is under way to identify further individuals involved.
UPDATE:
Four males, aged 16, 17, 18 and 22, have been charged in connection with incidents of violence and disorder in St Andrew Square, Edinburgh after Hibs v Motherwell yesterday.
Two others were released without charge.
The males have been released to appear in court at a later date.
Two male youths, aged 13 and 14, have been charged in connection with a fire in Edinburgh. The incident happened around 5.15pm on Monday, 23 September, 2024 on West Granton Road.
A report will be submitted to the relevant authority.
Police Scotland have released images of a male they would like to speak to in connection with a robbery which occurred on Tuesday, 14 May 2024 at around 5pm on Princes Street.
Officers believe the male in the images could assist them in their ongoing enquiries and are appealing for the male himself or anyone who may recognise him, or has information about this incident, to get in touch.
The male (pictured) is described as a white male, aged between 30-40 years old, slim build, brown facial hair and spoke with a Glasgow accent.
The male was wearing a white hooded top, black trousers and a black beanie hat.
Anyone who recognises the male pictured or has any information is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101 quoting incident number 2725 of 14 May 2024.
Alternatively, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where you can give information anonymously.
A top-tier serious organised crime group has been jailed for almost 50 years after being convicted of conspiring to import £100 million of cocaine to Scotland from Ecuador in a consignment of bananas and manufacture millions of Etizolam tablets.
James Stevenson, 59, was sentenced to 20 years in prison. David Bilsland, 68, Paul Bowes, 53, and Lloyd Cross, 32, were each sent to prison for six years. Gerard Carbin, 45, was sentenced to seven years and Ryan McPhee, 34, to four years.
The six men had all plead guilty to serious organised crime offences at a trial at the High Court in Glasgow.
Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ferry, Police Scotland’s Head of Organised Crime, said: “The sentencing of Stevenson, Bilsland, Bowes, Carbin, McPhee and Cross following their guilty pleas sends out a clear message that the activities of those who think that they can bring illegal drugs into our communities will not be tolerated.
“I want to acknowledge the hard work and diligence shown by the officers who investigated the group and provided the evidence in what was a complex investigation and shows the value of working with our law enforcement partners including the National Crime Agency and those abroad.
“It also shows Police Scotland’s unwavering commitment to the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce and its national strategy.
“This multi-agency operation, which spanned several countries, prevented a huge haul of illegal drugs reaching our communities and will have undoubtedly saved lives. However, we cannot be complacent, and our officers will continue their work to ensure Scotland remains a hostile environment for organised criminals.”
Deputy Crown Agent Kenny Donnelly, who leads the fight against serious organised crime for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, said: “James Stevenson (pictured below) and his criminal associates were involved in drug trafficking on an industrial and global scale.
“But they have been brought to justice thanks to an extensive operation involving Police Scotland and the National Crime Agency, working with COPFS, to investigate and dismantle their network of drug supply.
“This also included Stevenson being directly involved in the manufacturing of millions of Eitzolam tablets at a pill factory in Kent.
“Our message is clear: we will leave no stone unturned in our pursuit of drug traffickers.
“They will be caught, they will be prosecuted, and they will be brought to account for their crimes through the courts. The sentences imposed reflect the gravity of the offences committed by Stevenson and his co-accused.
“It was clear from the EncroChat messages that, as the ringleader, he directed the group. The cocaine they were planning to distribute would have undoubtedly contributed to misery in our communities.
“These convictions are testament to the forensic and meticulous work undertaken by specialist Crown Office prosecutors to bring Stevenson and his five co-accused to justice and I would like to commend their efforts.”
POLICE have released an image of a male they believe may be able to assist their enquiries into a fire-raising incident which occurred at Earl Grey Street, Edinburgh on the evening of 19 September 2024 at around 8:45pm.
Officers believe that the male shown in the image may have information that could assist them and would ask him or any members of the public who recognise him to contact police.
Detective Constable Russell Muir said “I would urge the male pictured or anyone who has information relating to him to contact police”.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting reference 3795 of 19 September 2024. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be passed anonymously.
On Sunday 29th September, #Leith#NECPT officers will be carrying out BikeRegister bike marking at Canonmills Path, beside Tesco between 11am – 1pm and Shore, at Sandport Place between 2 – 4pm.
Please bring your bike along for free marking and registration.
‘a man who commits rape or serious sexual assaults will be recorded by Police Scotland as a male‘
Police Scotland’s Chief Constable Jo Farrell addressed the matter of gender self-identification during a meeting of the Scottish Police Authority Board in Edinburgh today – Thursday, 26 September, 2024:
The Chief’s Constable’s statement in full –
It is important to acknowledge that gender self-identification has been amongst the most emotive and arguably divisive areas of public policy and practice in recent memory.
Neither the Scottish or UK Parliaments have been able to set out a codified approach in legislation to the legal status, rights or duties pertaining to the concept of gender recognition in a way that reconciles with the Equality Act 2010.
It is within this context that Police Scotland and other public bodies have determined policy and practice in a way that achieves what we consider to be a legal and appropriate balance of rights and duties.
Policing needs to consider this in terms of the many situations and scenarios within which we encounter people and this is not restricted to criminal investigations.
However, I recognise that the focus of debate as it relates to gender self-identification is in the area of serious sexual offences.
DCC Speirs wrote to the Scottish Parliament’s Criminal Justice Committee this week to explain our approach with particular reference to sexual crime and I wanted to add to that today by providing clarification on my expectations as Chief Constable around our operational practice.
The purpose of policing in Scotland is to improve safety and wellbeing. Police Scotland take a victim centred approach to investigating crime. Improving the experiences of victims is at the heart of everything we do.
Being an organisation that effectively supports victims is central to the long-term vision I am setting out to the board, for the SPA’s endorsement today.
This also reflects the central emphasis that I have given to supporting victims of crime since I took up my role as Chief Constable nearly a year ago.
We have a critical role to play in preventing violence and safeguarding women and girls. Our aim is to support the development of a society and culture where women and girls live free from all forms of violence, abuse, exploitation and harassment.
I have been struck by the commentary from some quarters that Police Scotland under my leadership, in supporting policies that seek to respect the rights and dignity of transgender and other minority groups, is perpetuating a policy that is misogynistic. This is inaccurate.
I have spent my entire career of more than 30 years in policing facing and challenging misogyny while supporting the rights and progression of women. I will continue to do so.
I want to offer a strong reassurance today – our police officers and staff are trained to investigate crime in a way that focuses on a victim centred, trauma informed approach and which mitigates risk. We will continue to do this every day.
Let me also make clear my commitment and support for the LGBTQI+ community.
Everyone must know that when policing talks about keeping people safe, that applies universally.
Everyone must feel able to speak to the police, to report a crime or to share information knowing they’ll be treated with dignity and respect.
I stated in May that it was a matter of deep regret that these values, over a period of decades have not always applied to the LGBTQI+ communities of Scotland.
That remains my position – and as I said at the time, I am dedicated to building a service that all communities can trust, one that is inclusive, respects diversity, and protects the rights and dignity of all individuals.
In relation to sexual offending, our operational practice and decision making is sound but I have put myself in the position of our Custody sergeants and others on the operational frontline and I can see the benefit of clarifying our position today to ensure that our people continue to get this right.
I also understand the desire for clarity as it relates to sexual crime, a priority for policing in Scotland. To be clear – a male rapist cannot demand to be called a woman and further traumatise his victim – this would not happen. To my knowledge, this has never happened.
You can be assured that a man who commits rape or serious sexual assaults will be recorded by Police Scotland as a male.
By way of further reassurance, as it relates to serious sexual offending, Police Scotland obtain DNA samples from individuals accused of serious sexual assaults and from this sample a DNA profile will be obtained that will determine the person’s biological sex. This profile, and biological sex, is retained on the Scottish DNA Database and is available to be searched against crime scene samples to aid historic and future investigations.
I would only emphasise that the discussion around decision making on the operational frontline remains hypothetical – to my knowledge, we have never faced this scenario.
With regards to recording practice, Police Scotland’s procedures on the identification and recording of sex and gender is evidence-led and is in keeping with our values of policing with integrity, fairness and respect, and upholding human rights.
I note that the Chair’s report refers to the UK Government’s February 2024 commission of an independent review and best practice development around data collection issues – we strongly welcome that work and look forward to seeing its outcome in the months ahead.
In 2023, Police Scotland, through the Chief Data Office, conducted an analysis of Data collection and Data standards and our subsequent use of data as it relates to Sex & Gender.
This analysis was set against relevant pieces of legislation including the Data Protection Act, the Public Sector Equality Act as well as the Human Rights and Gender Recognition Act.
The report came at a time of continued public debate, it made a number of observations and continues to be considered within Police Scotland. To that end ACC Catriona Paton is reviewing the detail contained within the analytical report and will bring this through Police Scotland governance for further consideration.
Let me finish by being absolutely clear – a man who commits rape or serious sexual assaults will be recorded by Police Scotland as a male.
The organisation I lead is wholly committed to tackling violence against women and girls and to supporting survivors and victims effectively.
We will do this while upholding our values of integrity, fairness, respect and a commitment to upholding human rights.
Our commitment here is unequivocal and also central to our long-term vision for policing.
I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to respond to the issues raised recently, Chair.
