Investigations are under way following a number of serious incidents across Scotland on Bonfire Night.
Police officers and firefighters were attacked with fireworks and other objects being thrown at them. On other occasions, groups caused damage to cars and properties.
In Edinburgh police received reports of anti-social behaviour in Pennywell Place. Officers attended and a 16-year-old male youth was arrested and is subject of a report to the Procurator Fiscal.
In Hay Avenue, officers had to deal with a large group of youths throwing fireworks and bricks at them. A police vehicle was also damaged in this incident. Officers also attended Arthur’s Seat where groups of youths had gathered with fireworks and a bonfire was alight.
In Glasgow, officers came under attack in Dale Street with youths throwing fireworks at them. In Glenisla Street, a police officer was struck on the head with a firework. He was treated at the scene and continued his shift.
In Kendoon Avenue, police received a report of a vehicle on fire. Officers attended and the police car’s windscreen was smashed, resulting in an officer washing glass from his eye. He continued on duty and one man was arrested.
In Auchmead Road, Greenock, an unauthorised bonfire event resulted in firefighters and officers being attacked as youths threw fireworks and bottles. Public order officers were deployed to deal with the incident. A 15-year old male youth was arrested and charged. He is subject of a report to the Procurator Fiscal.
Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs said: “As the Chief Constable has said, it is disgraceful and deplorable when officers and staff are subjected to violence during the course of their duties.
“Across the country, the overwhelming majority of the public enjoyed Bonfire Night safely and responsibly and I want to thank them for heeding our advice. However, I am disappointed at the level of disorder and anti-social behaviour seen last night. A minority of people’s behaviour has once again put lives at risk. It also places intense pressure on the emergency services and impacts severely on local communities.
“The evening of Thursday, 5 November, 2020, saw a number of serious incidents arising throughout Scotland that required Operation Moonbeam resources to support local policing colleagues.
“The majority of these incidents involved young people. To be absolutely clear, such actions are dangerous and cause harm to the public and emergency service workers.
“We will not tolerate such acts and you may not have been arrested last night but rest assured, officers are carrying out follow-up investigations to identify those involved and responsible. Additional officers will continue to be deployed over the coming days to support local divisions.”
Dispersal Zones remain in place until midnight tonight.
Police Scotland officers dealt with more than 300 house gatherings over last weekend, the vast majority of which were small groups of people in houses.
More than 300 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) were issued and 24 people were arrested between Friday, 30 October, and Sunday, 1 November.
The majority of FPNs issued were to small groups from different households meeting in homes in clear breach of the regulations in place to tackle the spread of coronavirus.
Assistant Chief Constable Alan Speirs said:“Officers dealt with a significant number of calls to house gatherings over the weekend and we have been quite clear that we will enforce the law where necessary, as the public would expect us to do.
“We are not just talking about large parties. The vast majority were smaller groups of different households meeting indoors.
“House gatherings of any size cause the virus to spread and we are asking people to do the right thing and take personal responsibility.
“I fully understand the implications the current restrictions have on our daily lives, but we cannot have people twisting the rules and disregarding the law which is there to stop the spread of coronavirus and help save lives.
“Anyone clearly breaking the law should be in no doubt that they will be met with a robust response from Police Scotland.”
Police have released CCTV images of two men they believe may be able to assist them with their enquiries following an assault and robbery which took place on Newhaven Place last year.
The incident happened shortly after 12am on Wednesday, 24 April 2019.
A man sustained minor facial injuries as a result of the incident, during which his Shih Tzu Westie Cross dog was stolen.
The first man is described as a white man, aged between 30 and 40, around 5ft 9ins to 6ft tall and of stocky build. He was wearing a black jacket with a white logo on the left sleeve, black trousers, black shoes and a black beanie hat. He spoke with a Glaswegian accent.
The second man is described as a white man, aged between 20 and 30, of medium build with short dark hair. He was wearing a dark grey long-sleeved top with black sides, black joggers and red trainers.
Detective Constable Ryan Lee of Edinburgh’s CID said: “I would urge anyone who may recognise these men, who knows the whereabouts of the dog or who has any information which could be relevant to this enquiry to report it as soon as possible.”
Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0087 of 24 April 2019, or report this anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
This year nine dispersal zones have been authorised in Edinburgh to combat antisocial behaviour and disorder over the bonfire period. The zones will be in operation between 2pm and midnight from today (Wednesday 4th) to Saturday 7th November.
Under the Antisocial Behaviour (Scotland) Act 2004, police have a Power of Dispersal within the designated zones authorised by Superintendent David Robertson.
This means that we can instruct any people in groups of two or more who are congregating and behaving in an antisocial manner to disperse, and if they do not live there to leave the zones, and then not to return for up to 24 hours. If they do return, they can be arrested.
The nine zones are Muirhouse, West Pilton, Portobello, Loganlea, Saughton, Gorgie, Gilmerton, Moredun and Southhouse.
They will be in place from 2pm today (Wednesday 4 November) until midnight on Saturday 7 November.
Maps have been published on local police social media.
National Stress Awareness Day falls on the first Wednesday in November each year.Some stress is good for us. It helps us to respond to changes in life. However, too much stress causes harm to our health and relationships. This year has been highly stressful for most of us.
However, you’re not alone with your mental health.
The Together Let’s Care for your Mental Health campaign aims to raise awareness of a range of mental health information and services to support people experiencing anxiety and other common mental health concerns.
Under the banner ‘Together Let’s Care for your Mental Health’ NHS 24, Police Scotland and the Scottish Ambulance Service are able to signpost to a range of self-help guides and options for further support.
Information is available for a range of day to day concerns such as stress and anxiety, depression, young people’s mental health needs, alcohol, gambling and drug use.
Users are able to choose strategies for immediate support, using tried and tested self-care options, or where appropriate, may be guided to other means of support such as telephone helplines.
NHS 24 offers a range of mental health services in addition to the NHS inform self-help guides, including the 111 Mental Health Hub, and Breathing Space’s telephone and web chat services.
A new 24/7 Mental Health Hub provides support for those contacting the 111 service. In addition, people calling Police Scotland in mental health distress are also now offered access to the 111 Mental Health Hub service.
Collaboration work with the Scottish Ambulance Service is also underway to develop a similar pathway.
A woman has died following a crash involving a lorry and a cyclist on Portobello High Street.
The incident took place around 2.45pm yesterday (Monday, 2 November) and the 36-year-old cyclist was pronounced dead at the scene.
Sergeant Mark Banner, from Police Scotland’s Road Policing Unit, said: “Our thoughts are with the deceased’s family at this tragic time.
“We are asking for anyone who was in the area and saw the collision take place to place come forward. If you have potential dashcam or CCTV footage in that area around 2.45pm, that could also greatly assist our enquiries.”
INCIDENT UPDATE:
THE cyclist who died after being involved in a collision with a lorry has been named as Heather Stronach.
The incident took place around 2.45pm on Monday, 2 November, on Portobello High Street heading towards Sir Harry Lauder Road. The 36-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene.Enquiries to establish the full circumstances are ongoing.
Heather’s husband, Martyn Stronach, said: “Heather loved to ride her bike. I am feeling pretty lost. I have lost my best friend and my soul mate.”
The family has requested privacy at this time.
Sergeant Mark Banner, of the Road Policing Unit, said: “We are still appealing for anyone who witnessed this incident, either shortly before or during, to contact us.”I’d also ask drivers who were in the area around 2.45pm to check their dash-cam footage.”
Anyone with information should contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident number 1829 of 2 November 2020.
Police are appealing for information after an assault with intent to rob in the Stockbridge area.
The incident happened around 6.30pm last night (Thursday, 29 October) on India Place. A 25-year-old woman was walking along the road when she was approached by two males, one of whom grabbed hold of the women while the other tried to steal her handbag. One of the males struck the victim in the face twice and caused her to fall to the ground. The victim didn’t require hospital treatment.
The first suspect is described as a white male, approximately between 5ft 6ins and 5ft 8ins tall and of slim build. He was wearing a dark coloured zipped jacket with the hood up, dark coloured trousers with a single white stripe on each leg and a plastic green monster Halloween mask.
The second suspect is described as a white male, approximately between 5ft 6ins and 5ft 8ins tall and of slim build. He was wearing dark cotton material clothing with the hood up and a red Halloween mask.
Detective Constable Zaira Marker, of Corstorphine CID, said: “We would urge anyone who was in the area around the time of the incident and may have witnessed the assault or anyone who saw the males fitting the description before or after the incident to contact police.
“We would also ask anyone with dash-cam footage who was in the area around the time of the incident to get in touch.”
Anyone with information should contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident number 2760 of 29 October
Police Scotland has confirmed that a 52 year old man has been arrested and charged in connection with an incident which saw a man threatened with a weapon and a three figure sum of cash stolen.
This incident happened on Friday, 10 July at Gorgie Farm on Gorgie Road.
The accused is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court at a later date.
Police would like to thank the public for their assistance following our appeal for information.
Police in Edinburgh have launched their annual campaign to keep the public safe during the period between Halloween and Bonfire Night.
Operation Crackle will see local officers throughout the Capital out on patrol during evenings and weekends to deter antisocial and criminal activity involving fireworks and keep communities safe from disorder and damage.
Halloween and Bonfire Night weekends are typically some of the busiest times for police, not only in Edinburgh, but across the city, and as always a partnership approach is being taken by the division.
Working alongside the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and City of Edinburgh Council, officers have been engaging with young people through school inputs and social media to highlight the risks associated with fireworks and the consequences of getting involved in any forms of crime using these items.
In addition, police have conducted joint patrols with council environmental wardens and SFRS personnel to carry out environmental audits and identify any debris or materials that could be used to start bonfires.
When found, these items have been removed.
While working to ensure the safety of the public within the city, Operation Crackle also looks to preserve the safety of all emergency service workers deployed during the coming weekends.
A zero tolerance approach towards violence and threatening behaviour is being taken and everyone is urged to act responsibly if handling fireworks.
Supporting Operation Crackle, Police Scotland’s national initiative, Operation Moonbeam is again in place to support local divisions with a range of additional and specialist resources.
These additional officers can be used if public disorder and violence takes place requiring a more robust response.
Dispersal zones will be in operation across Edinburgh again this year in an attempt to combat antisocial behaviour and disorder over the bonfire period.
This is the third year dispersal zones have operated across the city. The zones will run between 2pm and midnight on Wednesday 4th November to Saturday 7th November.
The areas covered by the zones include Muirhouse, West Pilton, Portobello, Loganlea, Saughton, Gorgie, Gilmerton, Moredun and Southhouse.
The dispersal zones enable police to instruct groups of two or more people who are congregating and behaving in an antisocial manner in these areas to disperse. Those who fail to comply, or fail to stay away for up to 24 hours, can face arrest.
Police are asking parents and guardians to have frank conversations with young people in their care and remind them to behave in a manner that does not put themselves, or others, at risk of harm.
Unlike previous years, organised Bonfire Night events have all been cancelled as a result of COVID-19. Police patrols will take place across the city to identify illegal bonfires, as well as deal with any breaches of current Scottish Government coronavirus restriction legislation.
Chief Inspector David Happs, who is leading on Operation Crackle, said: “We know that the vast majority of those who purchase fireworks do so in order to enjoy Bonfire Night responsibly. However, a small minority use the Halloween and Bonfire Night period to get involved in disorder and commit acts of violence and damage.
“Let me make it clear, that such behaviour is not acceptable and if you are involved in criminality involving fireworks, you can expect to be arrested. If not on the night, then as we carry out follow-up inquiries.
“I know many people will be really disappointed that they are unable to attend organised events this year, but I would urge everyone to be mindful of existing guidelines and legislation aimed at stopping the spread of COVID-19. Please do not do anything that puts you in breach of the current restrictions.
“For the past three years, we have been able to call upon additional specialist national resources to assist local officers. Once again, these officers are available if they are needed and I’m grateful to have them as an operational consideration.
“We want everyone to have a great Halloween and Bonfire Night, but please enjoy these events responsibly and help us keep you, and everyone else, safe throughout.”
Kenny Rogers, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Local Senior Officer for the City of Edinburgh, said: “This Bonfire Night will be a different experience for many of us.
“We know that many organised public displays have been cancelled due to COVID-19 and that some may consider private use of fireworks in their gardens.
“We would urge caution over the private use of fireworks and remind people that these items can pose grave dangers.
“If you are planning on using fireworks in a private setting, please familiarise yourself with our Fireworks Code before purchasing. It is designed to help keep you and your loved ones safe.
“I would like to stress that this is our busiest night of the year and that we must maintain a capacity to respond to emergencies.
“Last year we saw a large spike in deliberate fire-setting and this can divert firefighters away from genuine emergencies, where lives may be at risk.
“We do take a zero-tolerance approach to fire-setting and will work with police to identify those responsible, but we also realise it’s a very small minority of people involved.
“Ultimately, I would urge those who are marking Bonfire Night to help us by reading all safety advice before using fireworks and by helping protect Scotland’s emergency services.”
“For more information visit our fireworks safety page at ww.firescotland.gov.uk/your-safety/fireworks-safety.aspx”
Councillor Amy McNeese-Mechan, Chair of Edinburgh Community Safety Partnership said: “Protecting our communities from harm is a priority for us all in the Edinburgh Community Safety Partnership and we will continue to work with our partners to prevent anti-social behaviour in the lead up to Bonfire Night to ensure that Edinburgh remains a safe place for its residents.
“It’s important that we all look after each other. Fly tipping during the Bonfire and Fireworks season can be a major cause of fire and we ask that if anyone sees fly tipping or notices an area where there is a build-up of refuse or combustible material to please let the council know.”
A man responsible for non-recent sexual offences against children and women has been convicted.
John Hoy, 46, was found guilty of numerous serious sexual offences including rape, committed between 1989 and 2005, at the High Court in Edinburgh yesterday (Monday, 26 October).
Detectives from Police Scotland’s Public Protection Unit in Edinburgh began an investigation into Hoy after a woman came forward to report the non-recent sexual abuse Hoy had subjected her to.
He was subsequently arrested and charged on 31 October, 2018.
Detective Sergeant Alan Sharp, of Edinburgh’s Public Protection Unit, said: “Hoy’s behaviour over an extended period of time was deplorable with no thought of the suffering it caused his young victims.
“I would like to commend the victims who bravely came forward and assisted the police. The guilty verdict is testament to the evidence they provided and the investigative work carried out by officers in the Public Protection Unit.
“We treat all reports of sexual crime – no matter when the offence happened – with the utmost professionalism and sensitivity to bring perpetrators of such crimes to justice. Anyone who has been subjected to abuse should feel confident in coming forward, that we will believe you and will thoroughly investigate.”
If you have concerns or information these can be reported to Police Scotland on 101 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
