Police Scotland – Page 12 – The NEN

Appeal following robbery in Old Town

POLICE are appealing for information following a robbery in Edinburgh.

Around 8.25pm on Saturday, 20 December, 2025, a man entered a newsagent on Keir Street with a knife and stole a three-figure sum of cash.

The man made off along Keir Street.

He is described as male, of slim build, and was wearing light grey trousers, a three-quarter length black jacket, a black face covering, black baseball cap and red gloves. He spoke with a Scottish accent.

Detective Constable Gary Lipscombe, Edinburgh CID said: “This was an extremely alarming incident for the staff, and it is vital we trace the man responsible.

“Keir Street would have been busy at the time, and I would ask anyone who was there and who may have seen this man, to get in touch with us.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident 1198 of 21 December.

Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Police Scotland seizes £14million worth of drugs in record week

Police Scotland has seized drugs worth a combined value of almost £14million in the run up to Christmas, marking a record week for recoveries across the country.

One of the largest busts of cocaine, worth more than £8million, was made when officers executed a warrant in Bellshill on Thursday, 11 December.

Significant quantities of ecstasy, amphetamine and mephedrone were also seized in Fraserburgh, worth more than £3.5million, on Friday, 12 December.

In Perthshire, officers acting on intelligence recovered cocaine worth £1.2million on Thursday, 18 December, from an address in the Dunning area. On Sunday, 14 December, £560,000 worth of cocaine was also discovered at a business premises in Bridge of Earn.

Cocaine and cannabis, worth more than £500,000, were found in the loft of a property after a warrant was executed on Thursday, 18 December, in the Lhanbryde area of Elgin.

Officers stopped a car on the M74 near Moffat on Wednesday, 17 December, and a quantity of cocaine, estimated to be worth £175,000, was recovered from inside.

Fifteen people have been arrested and charged in total in connection with drugs offences following the recoveries.

Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Houston said: “These significant seizures mark one of our most successful weeks for removing drugs from the streets of Scotland, and they will have a huge impact on the cocaine supply across the country.

“Policing does not stop just because it’s Christmas time and we remain relentless in our fight against drugs.

“Controlled substances are dangerous and cause real harm to individuals, families and communities. Working closely with our partners, we remain focused on targeting individuals and organised crime groups, who selfishly exploit vulnerable people for their own financial gain.

“This work also underlines our commitment to the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce and the country’s Serious Organised Crime Strategy.

“Action like this is only possible with the continued support of our communities. Anyone with information or concerns about drugs should contact Police Scotland on 101 or make a call anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Statement from the Jewish Council of Scotland on the terror attack in Bondi Beach, Sydney

OUR hearts go out to the victims of yesterday’s attack in Sydney and their families.

It is intolerable that in the current climate of antisemitism, Jews cannot gather publicly or celebrate religious festivals in any part of the world without fear of attack.

The news from Sydney yesterday is also a dreadful reminder of the risks facing our Jewish community here in Scotland. There must be no place for anti-Jewish hate – in any guise – anywhere in Scotland.

We will not be deterred by antisemitism or acts of terror, and we will celebrate Chanukah throughout Scotland.

We are liaising closely with Police Scotland and with the Community Security Trust (CST) to ensure that appropriate police and security arrangements are in place, and we thank them for their continuing support.

We will also continue to engage with the Scottish Government and local authorities to put in place longer-term measures to ensure the safety of the Jewish community in Scotland.

We wish our community and friends across Scotland a happy – and peaceful – Chanukah.

Timothy Lovat, Chair

Jewish Council of Scotland

POLICE SCOTLAND STATEMENT:

Statement from ACC Steve Johnson following terrorist incident in Australia

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Johnson said: “Our thoughts are with the Jewish community, the victims, families, and everyone affected by the incident in Australia.

“Officers are already carrying out additional and dedicated patrols around synagogues and other Jewish venues as part of our existing policing plan for Hanukkah.

“Following the incident, we are actively communicating with faith leaders and community leaders.

“We are also engaging with a wide range of local, national and international partners to ensure our communities are safe.

“While there is no intelligence to suggest any specific threat in Scotland, I want to take this opportunity to ask the public to remain alert but not alarmed. You should remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to Police Scotland.

“Policing in Scotland has strong relationships with the public and we are grateful for the ongoing support of all our communities.”

Man arrested and charged in connection with the death of a man in Edinburgh

WATSON CRESCENT VICTIM NAMED AS ELVIS PALLA

A 34-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with the death of man in Edinburgh.

Around 6.10am on Saturday, 13 December, 2025, we were called to a report of a death at a property in Watson Crescent.

Emergency services attended and a 34-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene.

The 34-year-old is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today (Monday, 15 December, 2025).

The 34-year-old man who died at a property in Watson Crescent, Edinburgh on Saturday, 13 December, 2025 has been named as Elvis Palla.

A 34-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with the death and appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, 15 December, 2025.

Three arrested following £8 MILLION cocaine recovery

Three men have been arrested and charged in connection with one of the largest ever drugs recoveries in Scotland, worth more than £8 million.

On Thursday, 11 December, 2025, officers executed a warrant at a premises on Melford Road in Bellshill, North Lanarkshire and cocaine with an estimated street value of more than £8m was recovered.

The men, aged 29, 46 and 65, were arrested and charged in connection and they are due to appear at Hamilton Sheriff Court tomorrow – Monday, 15 December, 2025.

Enquiries into the full circumstances are ongoing.

Detective Superintendent Steven Elliot said: “This was a sizeable recovery – one of the most significant we’ve seen in Scotland.

“This work underlines our commitment to the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce and the country’s Serious Organised Crime Strategy. Taking drugs off the street is a priority for Police Scotland.

“Drugs cause misery in our communities, and the public has a vital role in helping us to trace those involved in the supply of illegal substances.

“Anyone with information or concerns about drugs should contact us via 101 or make a call to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Action Porty to buy former police station

We have HUGE news to share! Scottish Land Fund have announced that they will fund 100% of the price for Action Porty to buy the former police station building from Police Scotland via a Community Asset Transfer.

We at Action Porty are absolutely thrilled!!! (Actually, that’s an understatement. We were dancing on the tables when we heard the news!)

When Action Porty bought Bellfield on behalf of the community, Scottish Land Fund (SLF) awarded us 90% of the purchase price.

It’s partly our strong track record that led to this amazing result, but its mostly the incredible work, which has been happening behind the scenes, by a group of very dedicated volunteers: Frazer McNaughton, Mark Boggis, Justin Kenrick and Kieran Gaffney, with Kieran and the team at Konishi Gaffney architects and local structural engineer James Lewis, Hive Structural Ltd, providing pro bono services.

Background – what has led us to here?

Aug 2024: Police Scotland announced plans to sell the building. (Operational police officers haven’t been stationed there since 2016).

Oct 2024: 97% of Community Council survey respondents supported community ownership.

Nov 2024: Community consultation event overwhelmingly endorsed Action Porty’s proposal.

Jan 2025: Action Porty submitted the Community Asset Transfer request.

Jul-Sept 2025: Police Scotland agreed to request and price and Scottish Ministers gave their approval.

Dec 2025: with SLF deciding to fund the purchase, we are in reach of the finishing line!

The actual finishing line will be March 2026 when the sale completes.

To meet the funding conditions and complete the sale we need to get the necessary planning permissions and building warrants in place. There’s lots to do!

Watch this space – we’ll share more news as we get it.

What’s next for this iconic public building which has served the community for almost 150 years?

Find out here: https://www.bellfield.scot/heart-of-porty

Any questions, comments or feedback that you’d prefer to not post on social media? Email heartofporty@gmail.com

#ScottishLandFund

#communityownership

The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland

Development Trusts Association Scotland

Man convicted of firearm offences

A 39-year-old man has been convicted of possessing and discharging a firearm in Edinburgh.

Nicky Robertson pleaded guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh yesterday (Thursday, 11 December, 2025).

Around 3.05am on Thursday, 20 March, police received a report of a firearm having been discharged at a property on Niddrie Marischal Crescent.

Robertson was arrested and charged in connection with the incident on Thursday, 24 April.

Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ferry, Specialist Crime Division, said: “While this was established as a targeted attack, it was a concerning incident for the local community.

“Through the hard work of the officers involved in Operation Portaledge we were able to recover the firearm involved and ultimately bring the man responsible to justice.

“This conviction highlights Police Scotland’s commitment to the Serious and Organised Crime Taskforce and its national strategy.”

Operation Portaledge is the ongoing investigation into violent incidents in the East and West of the country.

Man jailed following violent offence and discharge of firearm in Edinburgh

A 27-year-old man has been sentenced to eight years and four months in prison following a violent offence and discharge of a firearm in Edinburgh.

Arran Reid pleaded guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh today, Tuesday, 9 December, 2025 to assault to severe injury, permanent disfigurement and to danger of life.

Officers were made aware of the attempted murder of a 54-year-old man on Pitcairn Grove in Edinburgh around 9.20pm on Thursday, 22 May.

Reid was arrested and charged in connection with the incident on Monday, 16 June.

On Friday, 13 June, officers were made aware of a window having been damaged at a property on Walter Scott Avenue.

Following enquiries, it was established that the damage had been caused by the discharge of a firearm.

Reid was also charged in connection with this incident on Tuesday, 15 July.

Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ferry, Specialist Crime Division, said: “I want to make it clear to those intent on being involved in serious criminality that we will not give up and you will be brought to justice.

“This conviction is testament to the hard work and dedication by detectives, specialist officers and partners across the country.

“It also highlights Police Scotland’s commitment to the Serious and Organised Crime Taskforce and its national strategy.”

Operation Portaledge is the ongoing investigation into violent incidents in the East and West of the country.

Former Police Scotland officer jailed for firearms offences and neglect of duty

A former Police Scotland constable has today, Monday, 8 December 2025, been sentenced to two years and three months in prison at the High Court in Edinburgh.

Alan Sharp, 52, previously pleaded guilty to three charges relating to firearms and one charge of wilful neglect of his duties as a police constable and firearms enquiry officer, when he appeared at the High Court in Glasgow on 10 November, 2025.

He had possession of two firearms and live ammunition outside the terms of his own firearms license and admitted failing to carry out the necessary checks and enquiries for applications for firearms licenses.

Sharp resigned from Police Scotland in November 2025.

Assistant Chief Constable for Professionalism and Assurance, Lynn Ratcliff, said: “Alan Sharp’s actions in no way reflect the high standards expected of an officer in Police Scotland.

“He abused his position as a constable, neglected his legal duties, and his actions go against everything we stand for as an organisation.

“It is right that policing is held to high standards at all times, and we will always support officers and staff acting with our values and standards at heart. The onus is on policing to build and maintain public confidence and consent which is critical in our ability to keep our communities and citizens safe.

“As a result, people like Alan Sharp have no place in Police Scotland. Matters are thoroughly investigated when an officer or staff member fails to uphold the high standards we expect in policing.”

Community Safety at Waverley

Police Scotland joined British Transport Police, CEC Trading Standards, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, and Neighbourhood Watch Scotland at Waverley Railway Station today for a Community Safety stall.

We provided commuters and Christmas shoppers with advice on staying safe on the train network, crime prevention during the festive period, fire safety and how to sign up for Neighbourhood Watch.

Upcoming Events:

– The Gyle Shopping Centre – Wednesday 10 December, 10:00–13:00 (Police Scotland & Neighbourhood Watch)

– Asda Chesser – Thursday 11 December, 12:00–14:00 (Police Scotland)

– Cameron Toll Shopping Centre – Wednesday 17 December, 12:00–14:00 (Police Scotland)