Two men have been jailed following a serious assault and robbery in Edinburgh’s Old Town.
Andrew Stobbs, 40, was sentenced to three years and five months and Jon Wood, 46, was sentenced to two years and six months in prison on Monday, 24 November 2025 at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.
A 79-year-old woman and a 77-year-old man sustained serious injuries as a result of attack and robbery, which happened on Saturday, 30 November, 2024 in High School Wynd.
Stobbs and Wood, who were wearing face coverings grabbed the woman’s bag and dragged her to the ground, causing serious injuries. The man attempted to intervene which saw him being punched.
Detective Constable Michael Campbell said: “This was a violent, needless and deeply distressing attack on the couple. I hope this sentence brings some measure of comfort to them.
“Violence of this nature will never be tolerated. We remain committed to protecting the public, supporting victims and bringing offenders to justice.”
POLICE Officers in Edinburgh have seized 13 e-bikes following complaints from residents about anti-social behaviour.
The South West Community Policing Team carried out the initiative between 20th and 23rd November in the areas of Fountain Park, Dundee Street and Morrison Road.
Thirteen males aged between 18 and 45 were charged with road traffic offences, with offences including no insurance, no licence and no helmets. Reports will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.
PC Bob Galbraith said: “We are committed to ensuring public safety following the concerns raised by residents regarding anti-social behaviour involving e-bike riders, particularity incidents of riding in pavements, travelling at excessive speed and causing alarm or inconvenience.
“We continue to encourage residents to report any incidents so we can respond. Anyone with any concerns should contact Police Scotland on 101. We worked closely with HM Immigration officers during the initiative.”
At the High Court in Edinburgh on Wednesday (19 November 2025), a man was found guilty of a serious sexual assault.
James Leckie, 27, was convicted of assaulting and raping a 16-year-old female in Princes Street Gardens on Saturday, 16 September, 2023.
Detective Inspector Stephanie Garnett said: “We strongly condemn Leckie’s actions, which caused profound trauma to this young female during this abhorrent crime. Our thoughts are with her, and we hope this conviction offers her some measure of justice.
“We have detectives dedicated to investigating such offences, and no matter how much time has passed, please report it. You can be assured that you will be fully supported by officers and our partner agencies.”
Following reports of stolen property being reset on Leith Walk, Edinburgh, Leith Community Officers, supported by Edinburgh Retail Crime Team, executed warrants at two business premises.
Approximately £8k of suspected stolen property was recovered, and enquiries are ongoing to ensure the property is returned to its rightful owners.
Two males were arrested and will be reported for reset.
Shoplifting is #NotAVictimlessCrime and #NECPT will continue to work with the #RetailCrimeTaskforce to identify offenders, including those benefiting from the acquisition of stolen property
A 35-year-old man has been sentenced to eight years in prison following a serious sexual assault in Edinburgh.
Ali Chikane attacked his female victim on Monday, 5 February, 2024 in the Murieston Crescent Lane area of Dalry, leaving her with serious injuries.
He appeared at the High Court in Edinburgh on Wednesday, 19 November, after being convicted at the same court last month.
Detective Inspector Keith Taylor said: “I would like to commend the strength of the victim during this investigation after such a traumatic and frightening incident.
“Chikane is a dangerous and violent individual. I am glad he will now face the consequences of his despicable actions in prison.
“We would encourage anyone who has experienced any form of violent or sexual offence, regardless of when it happened, to report it to us. We will investigate thoroughly and have specially trained officers and partner agencies who will support you throughout.”
POLICE in Edinburgh are appealing for the help of the public after two males were seriously injured in a hit and run by a quad bike.
The incident happened around 3pm yesterday (Saturday, 15 November) in the Niddrie Mains Road area, near to the Jack Kane Community Centre.
The males, aged 15 and 20, were taken to hospital for treatment.
Detective Sergeant Alex Johnston said: “Our enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.
“I am keen to hear from anyone who was in the Niddrie area on the afternoon of Saturday and saw a quad bike being driven around, or who witnessed the crash, to get in touch with us by contacting 101 and quoting incident 2026 of the 15 November.
“Similarly, anyone with dashcam footage or private CCTV which may have captured what happened should contact us.”
POLICE in Edinburgh have launched Operation Winter City 2025 – the annual policing campaign to keep the public safe as they visit the city centre over the festive period.
There will be an enhanced presence of officers out on patrol to engage with people and offer reassurance and crime prevention advice, as well as to respond to any incidents that may arise.
Chief Inspector Craig Rogerson, Gold Commander for Operation Winter City, said yesterday: “Anyone who’s ever visited Edinburgh over the festive period knows just how amazing the city is at this time of year.
“That’s why it’s important that our policing response is appropriate and proportionate to meet the demand of the additional visitors to the Capital, but to also reflect the very special atmosphere that is generated during Christmas and New Year.
“Local officers will be supported by colleagues from neighbouring divisions during patrols throughout the city-centre and anyone requiring assistance is welcome to come and speak to them, whether it’s to report a crime, or request information.
“On behalf of everyone within Edinburgh Division, I wish you all a safe, secure, and Merry Christmas.”
Two people have been arrested and charged in connection with robberies and attempted robberies in Edinburgh city centre.
Between Wednesday, 12 November and Thursday, 13 November, 2025, three people were approached in the city centre and asked to hand over belongings.
A 53-year-old man and a 36-year-old woman are due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Friday, 14 November, in connection.
Detectives believe there was another attempted robbery on Nicolson Street 3.55am on Wednesday, 12 November, 2025, and this has not yet been reported. Officers are appealing for the couple, and the member of the public who intervened in this attempted robbery, to come forward.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting reference 0320 of 12 November 2025.
Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.
NSPCC publishes new research highlighting a range of tools tech companies, Ofcom, and Government can employ to protect children from perpetrators
More than 3,000 online grooming crimes have been recorded by Police Scotland during the past five years, new data compiled by the NSPCC reveals.
The figures published by the Scottish Government show that 3,158 Communicating Indecently with a Child offences have been recorded since 2020.
The charity points out that while these are the offences recorded by police; the real number of crimes is likely to be much higher due to abuse happening in private spaces where harms can be harder to detect.
The NSPCC is highlighting these offences as it publishes new research to tackle this issue – it sets out solutions that can be used to prevent, detect and disrupt grooming in private messaging spaces. Online child sexual abuse crimes can have a long-term impact on a child, leaving them with feelings of guilt, shame, depression, confusion, anxiety and fear.
One 14-year-old who contacted Childline said:“I feel so insecure all the time, so, when this guy I’ve met online, who’s a few years older, started flirting with me, that made me feel so special.
“He seemed to care, but now he’s insisting I send him nudes, and I don’t know if he just gave me attention, so I’d send him nudes. I feel like I’ve been tricked but I’m afraid what he might do if I just block him.
“I can’t control how anxious this makes me feel.”
The charity’s new research identifies cycles of behaviours that perpetrators use, such as creating multiple different profiles and manipulating young users to engage with them across different platforms.
In response, the NSPCC is urging Ofcom and tech companies to take swift action on the recommendations set out in the report, so that they can better identify and prevent online grooming.
Recommendations include:
Implementing tools on a child’s phone that can scan for nude images and identify child sexual abuse material, before its shared.
Using metadata analysis, which uses background information, like when, where, and how someone is using a platform, to spot suspicious patterns. It does not read private messages, but it can flag behaviours that suggest grooming, such as adults repeatedly contacting large numbers of children or creating fake profiles.
Create barriers for adult profiles engaging children on social media platforms, like restrictions on who they can search and how many people they can contact.
Tech platform leaders should commit to delivering services which effectively support and balance user safety and privacy.
The research shows that safety measures must be introduced at the same time to be effective, working in tandem to ensure harm is prevented across the grooming cycle.
The NSPCC is urging tech companies, Ofcom, and Government to take leadership on addressing this devastating crime and commit to using every tool available to them to stop perpetrators in their tracks.
Chris Sherwood, NSPCC Chief Executive, said: “At Childline, we hear first-hand how grooming can devastate young lives. The trauma doesn’t end when the messages stop, it can leave children battling anxiety, depression, and shame for years.
“Tech companies must act now to prevent further escalation. The tools the NSPCC sets out to protect children are ready to use and urgently needed. Importantly, they mean that services can keep children safe while protecting all user’s privacy. Children’s safety must be built into platform design from the start, not treated as an afterthought.”
Kerry Smith, Chief Executive of the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) said: “The internet has opened a door into millions of homes, giving predators access to children.
“Safety should be something which is built into all services and platforms from the bottom up, not tacked on as an afterthought. There should be absolutely nowhere for predators to hide online.
“Tech companies must do everything they can, including in end-to-end encrypted spaces, to keep children safe. It is clear now that this can be done effectively without compromising users’ privacy. There really is no excuse – and the alternative is allowing children to continue to suffer.”
14 arrests have now been made in connection with fireworks-related offences over the Halloween and Bonfire Night period
A male has been charged in connection with several serious offences including mobbing and rioting in Edinburgh on Bonfire Night.
This year’s national policing operation saw a near 37 per cent reduction in fireworks calls compared with last year, but pockets of criminality still occurred in various parts of the country, including the Sighthill area in Edinburgh.
As a result of evidence gathered during the evening of 5 November and follow-up enquiries over the last week, a 17-year-old male was arrested on Wednesday, 12 November.
He appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Thursday, 13 November.
To date, 14 arrests have been made in connection with fireworks-related offences over the Halloween and Bonfire Night period by the dedicated investigation team within Edinburgh.
