Police launch Operation Winter City

Police in Edinburgh have launched their annual campaign to keep the public safe during the festive period.

Operation Winter City, which has been running for several years, provides those who live, work in and visit Edinburgh during Christmas and New Year, with a range of useful information aimed at preventing them from falling victim to crime or coming to the attention of police. Continue reading Police launch Operation Winter City

Witness appeal following city centre crash

Police are appealing for witnesses following a crash involving a taxi and a pedestrian in the city centre.

The incident happened around 2am yesterday (Monday, 11 November) on North Bridge, near a bus stop opposite the Balmoral Hotel involving an Edinburgh licensed taxi and a pedestrian. Continue reading Witness appeal following city centre crash

Public warning after Asian gold housebreakings

Police Scotland are once again urging communities to be vigilant and homeowners to take appropriate security measures following a number of housebreakings across the country targeting Asian gold jewellery and cash.

Since April there have been 35 reports of break-ins to properties in Glasgow, Paisley, Renfrew, Ayrshire and Edinburgh, resulting in over £500,000 worth of jewellery and cash being stolen. Continue reading Public warning after Asian gold housebreakings

Guy Fawkes Night: more attacks on emergency services

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) crews responded to approximately 359 bonfires across the country between 3.30pm and 11.30pm yesterday (November 5).

Operations Control firefighters handled 882 calls from members of the public. There were also several attacks on crews, but no firefighters were seriously injured. Continue reading Guy Fawkes Night: more attacks on emergency services

Information film for adult survivors of childhood abuse launched

A new animated film aimed at adult survivors of childhood abuse and people working with survivors has been launched by Police Scotland.

The Information for Adult Survivors of Childhood Abuse film aims to raise awareness amongst adult survivors of how to report childhood abuse to police, the criminal justice process and the existence of survivor support services. The animation follows two survivors through the journey of reporting to police whilst focussing on key areas and covering some frequently asked questions.

Assistant Chief Constable Gillian MacDonald, Major Crime and Public Protection, Police Scotland, said: “Child abuse takes many forms: physical, emotional, sexual or neglect. How people deal with and react to abuse is very individual. Some survivors have told us they didn’t realise what they had experienced as a child was abuse. Others simply haven’t felt ready or able to talk about the abuse they experienced during childhood.

“We would like to reassure survivors, that when they are ready to report, we will listen and we will provide advice about relevant support services.

“Police Scotland is fully committed to thoroughly investigating child abuse no matter when or where this happened or who was involved.  The priorities for any investigation will include identifying the perpetrator or perpetrators, establishing if they still have access to children and, if so, whether they pose a risk to any child.

“The film, and our other information products, provide survivors with information to enable them to make an informed choice about whether or not they wish to report the abuse they experienced to police, whilst at the same time ensuring that they are signposted to relevant support services.”

As well as the film, information for adult survivors of childhood abuse is also available on Police Scotland’s website and via an information leaflet (below).

The film, which has been produced following extensive consultation with survivors and survivor support services and with funding from Scottish Government, can be viewed above.

information-for-adult-survivors-of-childhood-abuse

Man sexually assaulted on North Edinburgh cycle path

Police are investigating following the rape of a 36 year old man in North Edinburgh. The serious sexual assault took place early on Monday morning on the cycle path near Ainslie Park Leisure Centre.

A police cordon was put in place by police officers who carried out an investigation at the scene.

A spokeswoman said: “Police in Edinburgh are investigating a report that a 36-year-old man was the victim of a serious sexual assault in the Pilton area in the early hours of Monday, 28 October.”

No further details are available at this time.