Tag: Police Scotland

Operation Portaledge: Three convicted of wilful fire-raising offences

Three men have been convicted of wilful fire-raising offences linked to Operation Portaledge.

At the High Court in Glasgow on Thursday, 26 March, 2026, Marshall O’Hara, 21, and Fraser Stewart, 22, pleaded guilty to four wilful fire-raising offences. Aiden McLaughlin (pictured above), 21, pleaded guilty to one wilful fire-raising offence.

All three pleaded guilty in relation to a wilful fire-raising at a premises on Wellington Road in Bishopbriggs on Tuesday, 8 April, 2025.

O’Hara and Stewart were also convicted in relation to wilful fire-raisings at a property on Ashgill Road, Glasgow and a property on Meadow Court, Stepps, on Monday, 7 April, as well as a property on Colston Drive, Bishopbriggs on Monday, 14 April.

They are all due to be sentenced at the same court on Wednesday, 13 May.

Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ferry, Specialist Crime Division, said: “These were worrying incidents for the local community and now those responsible will face the consequences of their actions.

“We will continue to bring those intent in being involved in serious and organised crime to justice.

“These convictions are further examples of 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 dies following crash on Old Dalkeith Road

A man has died following a road crash in Dalkeith which took place on Friday, 20 March, 2026.

Around 1.40pm, police received a report of an electric mountain bike colliding with a white Transit Van on the A6106, Old Dalkeith Road.

Emergency services attended and the 44-year-old cyclist was taken to hospital, where he died on Monday, 23 March, 2026.

Sergeant Mike Nash said: “Our enquiries are continuing to establish the circumstances surrounding this crash. I would urge anyone with information who has not yet spoken to police to contact us.

“Anyone with dash-cam footage from the area at the time is asked to check if it holds anything relevant and please get in touch if you can help.”

Contact Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 1660 of Friday, 20 March, 2026.

Gorgie incident: Man arrested

A 39-year-old man has been arrested after a man was found injured in Wardlaw Street, yesterday (Tuesday, 24 March, 2026).

Officers were called to property around 2.40pm and a 50-year-old man was taken to hospital for treatment. Hospital staff describe his condition as serious but not critical.

Detective Inspector Alan Sharp said: “Our enquiries are ongoing in the Wardlaw Street area. We would urge any witnesses or anyone with information which may assist our investigation to contact us.”

Anyone with information should contact 101 quoting incident number 1900 of 24 March. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.

A1 fatal crash: Can you help Police?

POLICE appealing for information following a fatal crash on the A1.

The crash involved a Renault Austral and Land Rover Defender and happened around 9.05am yesterday – Saturday, 21 March – near Torness Power Station.

The female front passenger of the Austral was pronounced dead at the scene. The male driver and the rear passenger were taken to hospital for treatment.

Her next of kin have been informed, however formal identification has yet to take place.

The male driver of the Defender was also taken to hospital for treatment.

Sergeant Barry Sommerville of the Road Policing Unit said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the woman who sadly died.

“Our enquiries are continuing and I would ask anyone who may have witnessed the collision, or who may have dash-cam footage, and has not yet spoken to or provided this information to officers, to contact us as soon as possible.

“The road re-opened at 4.15pm on Saturday 21 March, 2026. I want to thank members of the public for their patience while we investigated this serious crash.”

Anyone with information should call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0753 of 21 March, 2026.

Man jailed for serious and organised crime offences

A 33-year-old man has been jailed for organised crime offences whilst on bail. Dale Cleeton was sentenced to three years in prison at the High Court in Glasgow today, Friday, 20 March, 2026.

At the same court on Wednesday, 11 March, he pleaded guilty to being involved in serious and organised crime.

Cleeton was stopped by officers on the M8 eastbound near junction 2 in August 2023. He was later arrested and charged in connection with serious and organised crime offences on 29 November, 2023.

Detective Inspector Kevin Tait said: “I hope this sentencing sends a message to those involved in serious and organised crime that you will be caught and you will face the consequences.

“There is no place for this type of criminality in our communities. Such operations underline our commitment to the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce and the country’s Serious Organised Crime Strategy. We will continue to work with partner agencies to tackle this issue and make our communities safer.

“Information from the public is absolutely crucial to our work and we would continue to urge anyone with knowledge or concerns about serious and organised crime in their area to contact Police Scotland on 101. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Appeal to trace 15-year-old Ahmad Bader 

Police are appealing for information to help trace 15-year-old Ahmad Bader from Edinburgh.

Ahmad was last seen at a premises on Gorgie Road around 8.20pm on Wednesday, 11 March.

He is described as being around 6ft tall, of medium build with short black hair and brown eyes.

When last seen, he was wearing a black jacket and trousers and carrying a backpack.

Ahmad is thought to be in the South West area of Edinburgh, but it is believed he may have previously travelled to Dundee and Dunfermline.

Inspector Quentin Russell said: “We are extremely concerned for Ahmad’s welfare and are looking to trace him to make sure he is safe.

“Our enquiries are ongoing and I am appealing to anyone who has seen him or who has any information on his whereabouts to contact us as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0726 of 11 March, 2026.

Missing man: Have you seen Ellis?

*** UPDATE ***

ELLIS HAS BEEN FOUND

Police in Edinburgh are appealing for information to help trace 20-year-old Ellis Peak, who has been reported missing.

Ellis was last seen in the Carrick Knowe Drive area, around 11.30pm on Thursday, 12 March, 2026, and there are significant concerns for his welfare.

He is described as around 5ft 10 and medium build, with very short red hair.

Inspector Alastair Paisley said: “We are appealing for anyone with information on Ellis’s whereabouts to come forward.

“If you believe you can assist our enquiries to trace him, please call police on 101, quoting incident 0970 of 16 March, 2026.”

Attempted murder in Sighthill: Police appeal for information

POLICE are investigating an attempted murder in Edinburgh are appealing for anyone with information to contact them.

Around 1.50am yesterday (Monday, 16 March 2026), police received a report a man had been stabbed in the Sighthill area.

Emergency services attended and the 20-year-old victim was taken to hospital.

Officers have been carrying out door-to-door enquiries in the area and are checking for any relevant CCTV images.

Detective Sergeant Keith Morrison said: “I am appealing for anyone who was in and around the Sighthill View, Sighthill Crescent areas between the hours of 1am and 2am on Monday morning.

“If you saw or heard anything, please get in touch. A young man has been stabbed and seriously injured and it’s imperative we trace whoever is responsible.

“I would also ask anyone with dash cam or doorbell recording equipment to check if they have any footage which could assist our inquiry.

“We are still establishing the full circumstances of this crime so please do not think we have all the information we need, any small detail could prove significant. Please pass it on.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 0198 of Monday, 16 March, 2026. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where you can give the information anonymously. 

Have you seen Neil?

*** UPDATE ***

NEIL HAS BEEN TRACED

POLICE are appealing for help to trace 41-year-old Neil Fordyce, reported missing from the Gyle area. Neil was last seen in the North Bughtlinside area around 11.15am yesterday – Sunday, 15 March, 2026.

He is described as white, around 5ft 10in tall, of medium to stocky build, with a red beard. When last seen, he was wearing a black jacket, a black body warmer, a blue jumper, black tracksuit bottoms, and light blue trainers.

Sergeant Karen Durham said: “Concerns for Neil are growing and enquiries to trace him are ongoing.

“We are appealing to anyone who may have seen him to come forward.

“Anyone with information on where Neil may be is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting reference 2086 of Sunday, 15 March, 2026.”

Police issue witness appeal following serious crash on A71

POLICE are appealing for information following a serious crash in Edinburgh early this morning – Sunday, 15 March, 2026.

It took place around 4.20am, on the A71 near to its junction with Addiston Farm Road and involved a blue Renault Wind.

Emergency services attended. The 18-year-old male driver and his two 18-year-old male passengers were taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment. One passenger’s condition is described as critical and the other two conditions are described as serious.

Sergeant Grant Hastie said: “Enquiries are ongoing to establish the exact circumstances surrounding this serious crash.

“We are urging any witnesses or anyone with information to come forward. If you were in the area around the time and saw anything that may be relevant, please contact us. In addition, anyone with dash-cam footage is asked to get in touch.”

Please contact Police Scotland through 101 quoting reference number 0639 of 15 March.