A man has been arrested and charged by Police Scotland in connection with culpable and reckless conduct after two unlawful gatherings were held in Edinburgh.
The first was held during the afternoon of Saturday, 5 September, and the second on Thursday, 10 September, outside the Scottish Parliament and in the surrounding areas.
A 60-year-old man has now been charged in connection with both gatherings, which were held in opposition to the Covid-19 restrictions, and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.
Superintendent David Robertson of Edinburgh Division said: “Officers attended both of these gatherings to help ensure the safety of the public and to remind those attending to adhere to the current guidelines.
“We engaged with a number of people and encouraged them to comply with the law. As we have routinely said, enforcement will be a last resort but we will use the powers at our disposal where required to do so.
“We are asking people to take personal responsibility and remember that the purpose of these measures is to aid the collective effort to stay safe, protect others and save lives by preventing the virus from spreading.”
Break-ins to garden sheds, garages and thefts from gardens are common throughout the country. In fact, many criminals consider this type of crime to be low risk, as they don’t have to force entry to your home.
Many people store bikes, power tools and expensive gardening equipment in their sheds making it very attractive to criminals.
The good news is that there is a lot you can do to outsmart garden thieves. A few simple solutions can make all the difference to the security of your garden:
• Make sure the lock is in good working order. Fit a mortise lock (BS3621:2007) and/or use a good quality closed shackle padlock on your shed door. The hasp should be attached using coach bolts or anti tamper screws rather than basic screws.
• If there are any windows in the garage/shed, fit a grill, adhesive frosting or put a curtain over the window, so that people cannot see in.
• Fit a shed alarm. These can be bought online for around £10.
• Secure all the equipment including bicycles that you can by padlock and chain, make sure it is attached to the building – a ground anchor is preferable.
• Security mark your bicycles, lawnmowers, toolboxes and garden furniture, by engraving, painting or using a DNA security marker kit and register these. Available online.
• Consider installing a garage defender, which secures the door to the ground.• Surrounding hedges or trees should be trimmed or cropped so as not to provide cover for thieves.
• Clear your garden all of debris, rubble and tools that may be used to force entry.
• Install security lighting to illuminate your garden.• Consider topping your fence or wall with a trellis, which will provide an additional barrier and provide support for climbing plants.
• Aggressive plants and shrubs, such as Berberis and Hawthorn can help deter intruders.
• If purchasing security products look for items endorsed with the Sold Secure or Secured by Design logo.
If you see anyone acting suspiciously near to your premises please contact the police immediately with as detailed a description as possible of any person or vehicle involved.
Please call 999 if an emergency and urgent police assistance is required or 101 if not urgent to report the matter to the police.
Officers at Edinburgh Road Policing Unit are appealing for information after a road crash in Pier Place, Newhaven on Tuesday (8 September).
At around 3.20pm on Tuesday afternoon, a 56 year-old woman was crossing the road in Pier Place when she was struck by a Triumph motorbike being driven by a 61 year-old man.
Police and Ambulance attended – the woman was taken by ambulance to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where she is being treated for leg injuries. Her condition is described as stable.
The 61 year-old man was also taken by ambulance to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where he was released after treatment for a leg injury.
Officers at Edinburgh Road Policing Unit are appealing to any witnesses to the crash, or anyone with information to contact them. They would also like to hear from anyone driving on the road who has dash-cam footage.
Information can be passed to officers through 101 quoting reference number 2039 of Tuesday, 8 September, 2020.
Police are urging the public to be wary as they have received reports of bogus workmen operating in Edinburgh.
Be on guard if someone attends at your door offering assistance with energy supply, offering other goods or services or offering to carry out any building work or home improvements.
Don’t be afraid to say no and don’t be embarrassed as genuine callers expect you to be careful.
If you’re not sure, don’t answer the door and report the incident to police.
If you know someone who may be vulnerable, please make them aware so that together we can #ShutOutScammers
Detectives are appealing for information and witnesses following a serious assault which took place in Lothian Road onTuesday.
The incident happened outside the Salvation Army shop at around 7.55pm on Tuesday, 1 September.
The victim, a 52-year-old man, was attacked by another man who then ran south along Earl Grey Street in the company of a woman.
The victim was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment.
Detective Sergeant John Dunn, from Edinburgh CID, said: “We understand that there may have been several people nearby who witnessed the assault take place and are appealing for them to come forward.
“At least one of these people helped treat the victim prior to the ambulance’s arrival.
“Anyone with information should contact police on 101, quoting incident 3304 of 1 September. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, if you wish to remain anonymous.”
Police are appealing for information after a 35-year-old man was seriously assaulted in the early hours of the morning on Thursday, 27 August, 2020.
The incident happened around 1am outside Spey Lounge on Leith Walk.
The victim was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment to a serious head injury.The suspect is believed to be male.
Detective Inspector Clark Martin, of Edinburgh CID, said: “I am appealing to anyone who was in the area around the time of the incident and witnessed the assault but has not yet spoken to police to come forward.
“I would also ask anyone who was driving in the area and has a dash-cam to check back and see if there is any footage that may be able to assist our investigation.”
Anyone with information can contact police on 101, quoting reference number 0307 of 27 August, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Police are appealing for information following a number of reports of a man acting suspiciously in the Wardieburn area over the past several days.
The man in question is described as being black, around 5ft 7, with short dark hair and a scruffy beard. He has been seen wearing a green waterproof jacket.
Inspector Claire Masterton said: “We have had several reports of this man approaching women in the street and behaving in a strange manner, as well as knocking on doors in the local area.
“In addition to those individuals who have reported concerns to Police Scotland, we are aware that there have been a number of posts on social media about this man’s activities.
“I would firstly like to reassure residents that we are investigating the matter thoroughly and there will be a police presence in the area. I’d also ask anyone with information to please contact police, quoting incident 2699 of 30 August.
Following our earlier appeal about a man acting suspiciously and approaching woman in the Wardieburn area over the past several days, we can confirm a 37-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection. He is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today (Wednesday, 2 September, 2020).
Sergeant Aaron Chadha said: “We continue to carry out enquiries and would ask anyone with information to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 2699 of 30 August.”
Police Scotland is acutely aware that the diversity of our communities is increasing all the time. We recognise the importance of our communities being able to relate to our police officers and we are therefore actively reaching out to our BME communities and encouraging you to consider a career in policing in Scotland.
During the 90 minute online recruitment event, users will learn about the recruitment process, the training, the role of a police officer and the endless opportunities which are available to you once you embark on this exciting career path.
The date of the event is: Thursday 24th September 2020 6.30pm – 8pm
In order to participate in the event, Microsoft Teams will be required.
For more information and to reserve a space please email:-
The brother of a woman from London who went missing five years ago and whose body was found on the outskirts of Edinburgh five months later has renewed his appeal to the public to help find out what happened to her.
Saima Ahmed was 36 when she left her home in north London and is believed to have travelled to Edinburgh by train via Hemel Hempstead and Birmingham on 30 August, 2015. Her remains were found at Gogarburn Golf Course on 9 January, 2016. Her death remains unexplained and the police investigation into what happened to her remains open.
Sadat Ahmed, 37, re-visited the area for the first time in four years to ask the public to come forward with any information that may help his family to find out what happened to Saima once she arrived in Edinburgh.
Speaking at the golf course, he said: “As a family we think about her every day. Time has not helped. There is so much we don’t understand. She never talked about coming to Edinburgh and as far as we know she did not know anyone in Edinburgh.
“She was a very inquisitive person so if she was in an area she had never been to before she would have asked questions, she would have spoken to people. We think she probably met someone but who don’t know who or why.
“How you get to Edinburgh and then here, it is not somewhere you would walk to by mistake. She must have had contact with people. It is unbearable not knowing, from day one to now, we still don’t have answers to the questions, and it is really hard.
“Someone must know something. I would like them to come forward and tell us. We will never give up hope. We will keep looking for answers.”
Saima was around 5ft 5ins tall, of medium build, with shoulder length straight dark hair. She was last seen wearing a dark long v-neck top, black trousers, black shoes and a black jacket.
Detective Superintendent Martin MacLean said: “Police Scotland has carried out a painstaking investigation into Saima’s death and we continue to support Sadat and his family. There is no evidence of criminality at this stage.
“There were sightings of a woman that appear to meet Saima’s description at Portobello beach on the Sunday evening and again on the Monday morning by a dog walker. We are appealing to anyone who may have similar information, whether it was a taxi driver, or a bus driver. Perhaps she stayed in a bed and breakfast on the Sunday night in the Portobello area?
“Edinburgh would have been very busy as it was the end of the Festival and also the height of the tourist season. If you were on holiday in the city, wherever you might be now, please think back to see if you can help. I would ask anyone who may have seen her or have any information, no matter how insignificant they might think it is, to get in touch.
“We still don’t truly understand why Saima came to Edinburgh and what her movements were when she was here. These are gaps we are very keen to fill. From every appeal that we have had, we have always obtained some small piece of information from the public.
“The investigation remains open so if there is anyone out there who can help please call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident 2194 of 9 January, 2016, and help provide some of the answers that Sadat and his family are seeking.”
Restrictions on social gatherings will come into force from today (Friday 28 August) making it an offence to breach coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance by having a large house party indoors.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon made it clear that the move, which will be reviewed every three weeks, was necessary to ensure socialising can continue in a safe and responsible manner ahead of an expected rise in indoor gatherings during autumn and winter months.
Reports from local outbreak Incident Management Teams suggest that the increasing number of house parties taking place against guidance pose a major risk of COVID-19 transmission and could present high-risk ‘super-spreader’ environments.
Taking responsible action now can help protect families, communities, schools and local businesses from having to return to the stricter lockdown measures necessary to contain any virus outbreak.
The First Minister said: “Seeing friends is particularly important during what is a really difficult period. But it needs to be done safely and responsibly. That is how we avoid the return of some of the stricter lockdown measures and continue to contain this virus.
“We know from our test and protect teams – and also from evidence around the world – that large, indoor gatherings pose a major transmission risk.
“The majority of people, young and old, will be sticking with limits under current guidance – and I am very grateful for that – however, there are a minority who don’t.
“I want to make it very clear – particularly to young people – that this is not about stopping you having fun, but enabling you to have fun safely.
“Ensuring police have the powers to enter and disperse large house parties is another tool in suppressing the virus. While we expect these powers to be used as a last resort, it will help to reduce the potential for future clusters and outbreaks.”
Under current guidance, no more than eight people from a maximum of three different households should be meeting indoors. That remains in place.
To take account of varying sizes and compositions of families across Scotland, it will be an offence for someone to have a party indoors in their house with more than fifteen people from more than one household present, with limited exceptions.
