Tag: Police Scotland

Police launch Counter Terrorism Awareness Week

Police Scotland has today launched a targeted week of action to promote counter-terrorism activity across the country. The Counter Terrorism Awareness Week forms part of the UK Counter Terrorism Policing Networks Initiative and is co-ordinated by the National CT Policing Headquarters. Continue reading Police launch Counter Terrorism Awareness Week

Police release images of man sought for George Street assault

Police in Edinburgh have released images of a man that officers wish to trace in connection with a serious assault that occurred in George Street on Sunday 5th March around 2.45am. A 20-year-old man was attacked and sustained a significant facial injury that required hospital treatment. Continue reading Police release images of man sought for George Street assault

Victims urged to report hate crimes

10% fall in racial hate crime charges brought by police

People affected by hate crime have been encouraged to come forward to police to ensure perpetrators can be properly dealt with.

Minister for Community Safety Annabel Ewing made the appeal following the publication of a series of reports covering hate crime, religiously aggravated offences and the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012 which show:

  • Racial crime charges are the most common brought by police, but with a decrease of 10% compared to 2015/16
  • Sexual orientation aggravated charges increased by 5% compared to 2015/16
  • The number of religiously aggravated charges is the highest since 2012/13
  • 44% of victims in religiously aggravated charges were police officers
  • 377 charges were made under the Offensive Behaviour Act , an increase of 32% on the previous year. 140 of these charges relate to the Scottish Cup Final on 21 May 2016.

Minister for Community Safety Annabelle Ewing said: “Any crime motivated by prejudice is absolutely unacceptable. While the statistics show a decrease in reported racial crimes, there have been increases in those related to sexual orientation, religion and transgender identity and we cannot be complacent about these crimes are dealt with.

“I remain concerned that hate crimes are under-reported and want to encourage anyone who has been subjected to such appalling acts to come forward to ensure that perpetrators can be dealt with appropriately. We will keep engaging with community leaders on how best to raise awareness of how such crimes can be reported and in the meantime. We will continue to work with Police Scotland and others to ensure a robust response to perpetrators.

“Scotland does not exist in isolation from the rest of the world and we know that global events have an impact on the levels of hate crime that different communities are subjected to. We must ensure that we have appropriate legislation in place to deal with those who continue to perpetrate prejudice, bigotry and hatred, which is why I commissioned the Independent Review of Hate Crime Legislation in Scotland and expect that its findings will help us to ensure that our hate crime legislation is fit for the 21st century.

“The number of charges under the Offensive Behaviour Act demonstrate that we still have a problem with offensive and abusive behaviour related to football matches and that we need legislation to give our police the powers required to ensure that football is not immune from the standards expected in the rest of society.”

Chief Superintendent Barry McEwan, Head of Safer Communities, Police Scotland, added: “I would always encourage anyone who has been the victim of hate crime in any form, whether because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, ethnicity or any other individual circumstance, to come forward and report it to the police. It is only through reporting offences that we can form a more complete picture of the issue and address is in the most robust manner possible.

“Police Scotland will not tolerate any attempts to target any community by any misguided individual or group and will work with all of our partners to resolve any issues and address any concerns. Should anyone become a victim of, or witness to, any hate crime, they should contact the police and report the incident, by calling 101 or 999 if it is an emergency.”

Hate Crime in Scotland 2016-17

Religously Aggravated Offending in Scotland 2016 – 17

 

 

Cyclist dies following city centre collision

A woman cyclist has died following a collision in the city centre. It’s understood she overbalanced when her cycle wheel became stuck in tram tracks and she fell into the path of an oncoming tour bus. 

The 24-year-old was cycling at the West End of Princes Street at around 8.30am yesterday when she came off her bike at the junction with Lothian Road, before being involved in a collision with the Rabbie’s Tours mini-bus. The woman, who has not yet been named, sustained serious injuries and was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh where she later passed away.

Roads at the busy junction were closed for several hours and diversions put in place while Road Policing Officers carried out investigations at the scene.

Anyone with information is asked to come forward.

Sergeant Fraser Wood from the Road Policing Unit in Edinburgh said: “Sadly, as a result of this collision, the young woman sustained injuries that she could not recover from. Our sympathies are with her family and friends at this time.

“As part of our ongoing investigation we remain keen to speak to members of the public who witnessed this incident, or who have information that can assist us in establishing the full circumstances of what happened.”

Those with information can contact the Road Policing Unit in Edinburgh via 101 and quote incident number 643 of the 31st May.

Alison Johnstone, Scottish Green MSP for Lothian, used First Minister’s Questions to raise concerns about safe cycling infrastructure following yesterday’s fatal accident in Edinburgh in which a twenty-four year old woman came off her bike on tram tracks and was hit by a minibus.

Cycling campaigners have claimed that the number of accidents on tram tracks in the Capital is higher than in other UK cities.

Alison Johnstone, co-convener of Holyrood’s cross-party group on cycling, said: “Our deepest sympathies go out to the family and friends of the young woman who died. While an investigation is underway into the circumstances, it is terrible that it often takes such shocking events to prompt a rethink of how we plan our infrastructure.

“Cycling should be a safe way of getting about our towns and cities for everyday activities. I’m pleased that the First Minister agreed to my request that the Transport Minister meets with campaign groups to discuss what can be done to prevent any further injuries or loss of life.”