Officers across Edinburgh have been working closely with Lothian Buses to help tackle antisocial behaviour within the city.
During Monday evening (15 March), a number of buses and a taxi were damaged in the south east of the city through reckless behaviour after stones were thrown at them.
Police have confirmed that a 15-year-old boy has been charged and will be reported to the youth assessor in connection with these incidents. The investigation into the activity remains ongoing.
Chief Inspector Sarah Taylor Local Area Commander for North West Edinburgh said: “We will continue our efforts to keep our communities, Lothian Buses staff and all motorists safe, through a proactive and coordinated approach, alongside working closely with our partners.
“Officers continue to investigate these completely unacceptable and senseless incidents to ensure that offenders are held accountable for their actions.
“I reiterate our request for the support of parents, guardians and the wider public in tackling this behaviour. If you see this behaviour, or congregations at bus stops causing a disturbance, please contact police on 101, or 999 in an emergency.”
Lothian withdrew bus services from 7.30 last night in response to the series of attacks. They will announce further plans later today.
Lothian Buses has announced its intention to withdraw ALL services from 19.30hrs tonight (17 March) following months of incidents of antisocial behaviour. This will include all services operating on Lothian Buses, Lothian Country and East Coast Buses.
The company has announced that all journeys across Edinburgh which are due to depart terminal points after 19.30hrs will not operate tonight. This applies to evening services only – NightBus services are expected to operate as normal.
Lothian has said that services are expected to return as scheduled on Thursday 18 March but will be kept under review with services diverted away from any area targeted by further attacks until it’s safe to return.
Sarah Boyd Lothian’s Operations Directorsaid: “It is with pride that Lothian serves at the heart of our local communities and after the challenges of the last year it’s frankly appalling that the actions of a few can directly impact on so many. However, driver and customer safety is our absolute priority and so it is with deep regret that we have to take this action.
“We understand that we provide a critical service for key workers and those for whom travel is essential and we can only apologise to these customers who we know will be inconvenienced by this decision.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Police Scotland for all their efforts in helping us to maintain service this far. I would also like to thank our customers and all of our colleagues for their continued support and patience.
“We would urge anyone with any information relating to these incidents to come forward to ensure those responsible are held accountable for their actions.”
Lyn Turner, Unite Regional Industrial Officer said: “Our members have the right to work without fear and we stand by Lothian’s decision to withdraw services from areas in which they cannot operate safely. The safety of our members is paramount.
“We would urge communities to come together and provide information on those responsible for these dangerous acts of criminal behaviour which are putting the safety of our members and that of the public at serious risk.”
City council Transport Convener, Lesley Macinnes, said: “Like everyone who’s seen coverage of the horrendous attacks on our bus services in recent days I’ve been utterly appalled by the reckless and intimidating behaviour of those behind the assaults. Enough is enough, it has to stop.
“I’m completely behind Lothian’s decision to withdraw bus services tonight as a clear message that this criminal targeting of a vital public service will not be tolerated. Anyone out there who thinks they know someone who’s involved in this despicable campaign of antisocial behaviour needs to do the right thing and report it to Police right away.”
All customers are urged to plan their journeys in advance through Lothian’s app (www.tfe.com) or website journey planner (www.lothianbuses.co.uk)
If you have any information about these incidents of antisocial behaviour, please contact the police on 101 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Following enquiries as part of Operation Agora, a 43-year-old man has been charged with over 40 incidents relating to the thefts of pedal cycles and their subsequent re-sale in and around Edinburgh.
He is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today (Wednesday 17/03/2021).
Police Scotland, in partnership with Edinburgh North East Foodbank and Edinburgh Community Foods have launched the ‘Beat Hunger’ Campaign.
The North East of Edinburgh contains some of the highest levels of poverty in Scotland and this campaign is aimed at tackling food inequality and poverty funded by Police Scotland’s Local Partnership and Initiative Fund.
Local Community Sergeant Elaine McArthur-Kerr of Leith Police Station said: “As an organisation and as employees, we have a responsibility to improve the lives and futures of our community, particularly our children.
“This campaign will initially be open to identified groups within the foodbank community and thereafter extended to the wider community through referrals nominated by our partners.
“Recipients will be supplied with free additional support in the appropriately titled ‘Beat Box’, which will include a community cook book with recipes by Michelin Star Chef Martin Wishart.
“This book contains simple nutritious meals, which can be cooked using the most basic cooking facilities and includes step by step instructions and tips on food management. The recipes cater for those with no cookery skills and will provide an at home activity for families.
“Each week there will be fresh ingredients, supplied by Capital Wholesalers and the utensils required to cook a meal from the book. For example, this week launches with a butternut squash soup and following weeks will include main meals and a pudding.
“Information on family, financial and mental health support literature will also be included.
“Promoting wellbeing is key to ensuring the health and safety of our community and this is a fantastic opportunity to support some of the most vulnerable during unprecedented times and encourage positive lifestyle choices.
“Working together with partners, we can improve the quality of life for the people we serve.”
Detectives are appealing for witnesses after a man was found seriously injured on Wester Drylaw Drive last night (Friday, 12 March).
Members of the public found a man lying injured on the road at around 7.15pm.
Emergency services attended and a 33-year-old man was taken to hospital for treatment to serious but not life-threatening injuries.
Extensive enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
Detective Inspector Alison MacDonald, of Edinburgh CID, said: “Detectives are currently carrying out enquiries in Wester Drylaw Drive and the surrounding area in order to establish exactly what has happened.
“I am appealing to anyone who was on Wester Drylaw Drive yesterday evening and witnessed what happened to the victim, or anything at all suspicious, to please get in touch.
“I would also urge any motorists with dash-cams who were in the area to check their footage in case they have captured anything which could be of significance to our investigation.
“Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 1498 of 13 March. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where details can be given anonymously.”
Police are still seeking information following an attack on a man in Wester Drylaw Drive which took place on Tuesday afternoon.
Police are also delivering letters to houses in Clermiston following a series of incidents over recent weeks.
Operation Proust will continue this weekend, with officers on patrol in different areas of Edinburgh to tackle antisocial behaviour on and around bus services.
There have been a number of incidents involving youths across the city over recent weeks, which have resulted in the disruption and even temporary termination of services.
The focus will be on ensuring services are able to run smoothly as well as deterring further incidents of antisocial behaviour and criminality.
Chief Inspector Sarah Taylor said: “Bus drivers have and continue to provide an essential service to the public during this pandemic, including transport to and from hospitals. It is disgraceful that those who have continued to support our communities have been targeted in this way.
“Officers will be out in the community providing reassurance to the drivers and members of the public. Anyone caught engaging in antisocial behaviour or violence will be dealt with robustly.
“Extensive enquiries are ongoing to trace the individuals involved in the recent incidents and I would appeal to anyone with information to contact Police Scotland through 101. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
Police have released a CCTV image of two men they wish to speak to as they may have information which could assist with ongoing enquiries into an assault that occurred around 1.30pm on Monday 2 September, 2020 on Montgomery Street.
One of the men is described as being white and in his late 20s to early 30s. He has short dark hair, stubble and was wearing black casual clothing.
The second man is white, in his mid-20s, 6ft to 6ft 4in tall and of slim build with fair hair. He was wearing a grey jumper, dark bottoms and black body warmer jacket.
Detective Constable Philip Wright of Gayfield CID said: ” As part of the investigation, we are eager to identify the two men in the CCTV footage and would urge them, or anyone who recognises them, to get in touch with us immediately.”
Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 1528 of the 2nd September 2020, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Two men have been arrested and charged following a disturbance in the Clermiston area of Edinburgh on Sunday, 7 March.
Around 5pm police received a number calls regarding an ongoing incident in the Clermiston Park and Clermiston Gardens areas.
A 17-year-old man and a 27-year-old man have been arrested and charged in connection with alleged possession of offensive weapons.
They were due to appear before Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday and a report was submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.
Further enquiries are ongoing into the wider disturbance involving a group of youths which occurred on Sunday evening, and police are appealing for any witnesses to come forward.
The two men will also be the subject of a report to the Procurator Fiscal in connection with the serious assault of a 48-year-old man in Drum Brae South around 3.25pm on Thursday, 4 March.
Chief Inspector Sarah Taylor, Local Area Commander for North West Edinburgh, said: “This type of mindless, irresponsible and reckless criminal behaviour will not be tolerated in our community and there will be additional patrols in the area.
“We are aware of ongoing issues with antisocial behaviour which is completely unacceptable, particularly in the midst of a pandemic when people are being told to stay at home. Local officers are working with partners to address these issues and proactively put a stop to this.
“I would urge anyone with information or concerns regarding antisocial behaviour to contact Police Scotland through 101, or speak to officers out on patrol.
“Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Always dial 999 when a crime is in progress.”
A 38-year-old man has been arrested and charged in relation to this incident and is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court tomorrow (Wednesday, 17 March, 2021).
Detective Inspector Bob Campbell said: “We are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen a black Dacia Sondero vehicle in the vicinity of Wester Drylaw Drive on the afternoon of Tuesday 9 March and in particular to the occupants of a small white VW Caddy van that was seen in the area at this time.
“I also urge motorists with dash cams to check their footage as they may have captured images which would assist our investigation.
“There will be additional patrols in the area and local residents are encouraged to speak to these officers if they have any information or concerns as it is vital that we trace everyone responsible.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland via 101 quoting incident number 1880 of 9 March 2021. Alternatively, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.
THE ORIGINAL STORY:
An investigation is under way after a man was found injured in Wester Drylaw.
At around 3.45pm on Tuesday (9 March 2021) a 35-year-old man was found injured by a member of the public in Wester Drylaw Drive. The man was seriously injured and was taken to hospital where he is receiving treatment for head, leg and arm injuries.
Officers attended and carried out door-to-door enquiries to establish what had happened. The location of the attack is believed to be within a rear garden of one of the properties on Wester Drylaw Drive.
Detectives are also checking CCTV footage from in and around the surrounding areas for any additional information on the incident .At this stage, detectives do not know who is responsible, whether it was a single person attack or if a group of people attacked the man.
Detective Inspector Bob Campbell said: “The motive for this attack is unknown and we are still working to establish exactly what has happened.
It’s clear from the man’s injuries that he has been assaulted and we need to find out who is responsible and why. I am appealing to members of the public who were in the area around the time of the incident to contact us.
“I would also ask motorists with dash cams to check their footage as they may have captured images which would assist our investigation.”
Chief Inspector Sarah Taylor said: “I know there will be concerns around this incident and I would like to reassure local residents that we will have additional officers on patrol.
“It is imperative we trace whoever is responsible for this attack and we can do that with the support and co-operation of local people, so I would urge anyone with information to get in touch with us.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland via 101 quoting incident number 1880 of 9 March 2021. Alternatively, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.
Police are appealing for the public’s help to trace items which were stolen from an address in the New Town area.
The theft took place between 11.30am and 12.45pm on Saturday February 6 2021, during which these distinctive cameras were stolen:
• Canon 5D Mark III worth a 4-figure sum. Peak design camera strap, black with red attachments. Body serial number 185025000491. Lens serial number 06947041.
• Canon AE-1P worth a 3-figure sum. Peak design camera strap, black with red attachments.
Anyone who may have seen these items since that date, or has information on where they may be now, is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident number 2374 of 06/02/21 or anonymously via the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their Anonymous Online Form at crimestoppers-uk.org.
