Police Scotland – Page 17 – The NEN

Police Scotland officers and staff recognised in New Year Honours list

Three serving and former Police Scotland officers have been recognised in the King’s New Year Honours for their significant contribution to policing.

Chief Superintendent Faroque Hussain (previously Temporary Assistant Chief Constable), Chief Superintendent Carol McGuire (retired) and Constable Stephanie Rose all receive the King’s Police Medal (KPM).

A further three serving and retired Police Scotland officers and staff members have also been recognised.

DC Jodie McFarlane receives the British Empire Medal for services to children and families in Ayrshire for her work with the charity Night Before Christmas Campaign, while retired Child Protection Manager, James Duffy, is named a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to children.

Also honoured with the award of an MBE is Investigation and Information Manager, Stuart Cossar, for services to the investigation and to the bereaved families of the Lockerbie Air Disaster.

Chief Constable Jo Farrell said: “These awards are testament to the dedication to public service and professionalism our officers show right across the country, day in, day out.

“I offer my warmest congratulations to Carol, Faroque and Stephanie for this deserved recognition of their significant contribution to policing.

“I would also like to recognise the honours awarded to Jodie, James and Stuart for their commitment and compassion serving policing and our communities in Scotland and beyond.”

Chief Superintendent Faroque Hussain joined Strathclyde Police in 1999.

He was promoted to Chief Superintendent in 2019 and appointed as Divisional Commander for Ayrshire in 2020 where he championed partnership working and engagement.

As a Strategic Firearms Commander, Faroque has overseen and coordinated firearms assets for major events including COP26 and the Queen’s death.

After a secondment to the National Crime Agency, he was appointed as Divisional Commander for Ayrshire in 2020, and was recently temporary Assistant Chief Constable for Partnership, Preventions and Community Wellbeing.

Chief Superintendent Hussain said: “I am deeply honoured by this recognition from His Majesty the King.

“I am profoundly grateful to have worked with countless selfless colleagues and partners from across Scotland, and beyond, who work tirelessly to keep our fellow citizens safe.

“Most of all, I thank my wife and our family for their unwavering support.”

Chief Supt Carol McGuire standing at Drumlanrig Castle. She is wearing full black police uniform and hat with a hi-vis vest holding police equipment.

Chief Superintendent Carol McGuire joined Strathclyde Police in 1995, serving in roles across local policing, emergency planning and community safety where she wrote the first Gender Equality Scheme for Strathclyde Police.

Carol later undertook a secondment to the Football Coordination Unit Scotland where she developed the first National Strategy for the Policing of Football in Scotland.

In 2017, Carol joined the Operational Support Division (Specialist Services) where she was responsible for specialist resources including Public Order and oversaw the introduction of drones to enhance air support capability.

During her time at OSD, Carole also drove the work to identify and procure new, lighter and more flexible body armour for officers. Latterly, Carol served as Divisional Commander for Dumfries and Galloway, where she is originally from, and retired in October 2023.

Chief Superintendent McGuire said: “It is fair to say I am genuinely overwhelmed and more than a little surprised to be receiving such a prestigious accolade, however, I am extremely proud as well.

“I am also enormously grateful to those who have guided and mentored me throughout my career in policing, and the many others whose support has been invaluable.

“It was a true privilege to have been a police officer, and to have led and been part of so many tremendous teams, and my thanks go to everyone who has been a part of my story.”

Constable Stephanie Rose joined Strathclyde Police in 1997 and has been a strong advocate for equality, diversion and inclusion throughout her service.

Her passion and commitment in this area is further demonstrated by Stephanie’s personal learning journey with British Sign Language (BSL). She is now fully conversant in BSL and regularly interprets for Police Scotland to deaf communities.

Stephanie developed the Keep Safe initiative in partnership with I Am Me Scotland which was piloted in Renfrewshire in 2014 before becoming a national programme in 2015. The initiative creates a network of local businesses to establish Keep Safe places for disabled, vulnerable and elderly people to go if they feel lost, confused, scared or intimidated or have been the victim of a crime.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Stephanie adopted a number of new initiatives to support and reassure disabled communities about the restrictions in place. She also developed guidance for police officers on interacting with people with autism or learning disabilities during the pandemic.

Constable Rose said: “I am hugely honoured to have been awarded the King’s Police Medal.

“I am very proud to be a police officer and have been extremely fortunate to work with some brilliant staff, officers and partners who share the vision of a fair, inclusive and accessible police service. Most importantly I have had the privilege of working with communities who have led so much positive change for policing.

“I have a particular passion for tackling hate crime and improving services for disabled people and British Sign Language communities and I hope this recognition enables us to continue making progress, as there is still more work to be done.”

Bike owners encouraged to register bikes on national database

POLICE are urging bike owners to ensure their cycles are registered on a national database to help ensure they can be reunited with them if they are lost or stolen.

The Bike Register database contains the details of tens of thousands bicycles from across the UK and for the last year Police Scotland officers have had access to the database via a downloadable app on their mobile devices.

Recently, four successful bike recoveries have been made as a result of the app and bike marking.

In the first instance, a member of the public in Edinburgh found a bicycle and used the app they had on their phone to establish it had been registered as lost. The owner was found to have moved from the Capital to Woking and was reunited with the bike.

Local officers in Lancashire also came across a stolen bike being sold on Facebook Marketplace in the course of their inquiries and by utilising the app on their mobile devices, they confirmed it was registered to an address in the Currie area of Edinburgh. The bike was again, returned to its rightful owner.

In the last two weeks, police in the Wester Hailes area of Edinburgh have returned two bikes to their owners after both were found and handed into the police station. Utilising the app, the cycles were both confirmed as stolen and then handed back to those they belong to.

Any officer who locates a bike they believe may be lost or stolen can access the database via the app, and scan a visible bar code or enter property details to check to see if it has been registered. If so, they can then find out whether the status is set to lost or stolen, and who the registered owner is.

It is anticipated that hundreds of new bikes will have been purchased or received over Christmas, many worth large sums of money. Owners of bikes, both new and old, are urged to ensure their cycle’s details are logged on the database.

Inspector Jordan Low from Police Scotland’s Rural and Acquisitive Crime Team, said: “We know that for many in Scotland, bikes are not just an important recreational item, they are a vital mode of transportation or exercise and to have them lost or stolen can be devastating.

“I would ask that all bike owners ensure their bicycles’ details are logged on the Bike Register database, as this will aid us during our inquiries whenever we locate any bikes that we believe to be stolen, or that are brought into police stations as lost property.

“The recent successful recoveries highlight just how important the database is in order to reunite bikes with their rightful owners and the app available to officers on their mobile device is another useful tool in helping us tackle bike theft across the country.”

Mounted fox hunts testing the new ban, according to charity

Four incidents reported to Police Scotland in first season under strengthened law

As fox hunts across Scotland prepare for the biggest day in the hunting calendar – Boxing Day – a leading animal welfare charity warns that the boundaries of the new ban are being tested by hunts since it came into force earlier this year.

Director of the League Against Cruel Sports Scotland, Robbie Marsland said: “It’s early days but there are signs that a number of hunts are testing the new ban.

“The good news is that Police Scotland and the Scottish Government are taking this seriously. I think we are all agreed that any early attempts to get round the new law should be nipped in the bud.”

The charity says since the first season under the new Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Act 2023 got underway it has reported four incidents to Police Scotland which are currently being investigated.

The new legislation which passed through Parliament in January this year brought into force a number of measures which significantly curtail mounted hunting activity, including reducing the number of dogs which can be used to hunt a wild mammal to just two, instead of a full pack, and reducing the number of dogs which can be used below ground to just one.

The Act also includes a pre-emptive ban on trail hunting. Trail hunting is a sport which was created after hunting was banned in England and Wales following the passing of the Hunting Act in 2004. Its inclusion in the Act means trail hunting can not be established north of the border.

Man dies in hospital after crash on the A768 in Loanhead

POLICE APPEAL FOR KEY WITNESSES TO COME FORWARD

An 88-year-old man has died in hospital after a serious crash on the A768 in Loanhead. The incident happened around 7am on Tuesday, 19 December at Knivensknowe Road and involved the man, who was a pedestrian, and a Honda Civic car.

The man was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, where he died as a result of injuries yesterday (Saturday, 23 December).

He was walking his dog at the time of the collision which has also since passed away.

The male driver of the car did not require medical treatment.

Sergeant Grant Hastie of Police Scotland’s Road Policing Unit said: “Our investigation into the circumstances of this collision are ongoing and our thoughts are with the man’s family and friends at this difficult time.

“We would urge anyone who may have information which not yet been passed to police to come forward.

“In particular we are working to identify two people who were at a bus stop near where the incident happened at the time and would urge them to come forward.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland through 101 with reference number 0499 of 19 December.”

Castlebrae summit discusses fireworks disorder

A summit on fireworks between the Council, partner agencies, community representatives, local MPs, MSPs and councillors took place yesterday (December 18) at Castlebrae Community Campus in Niddrie.

This follows the significant level of disorder seen in the city on Bonfire Night (November 5), particularly in the Niddrie area, where emergency services were attacked with fireworks, petrol bombs, masonry, and other missiles.

Since then, 26 people have now been charged with a total of 51 offences and police investigations remain ongoing.

The summit, hosted by Council Leader Cammy Day, discussed the events of this year, and looked ahead to how we address Bonfire Night and fireworks use in the future. This included our preventative community work alongside partners, the future implementation of Firework Control Zones (FCZs) and other strategies. Work is already well underway in these areas.

There will be a further summit in March 2024.

Council Leader Cammy Day said: It was really useful to come together and discuss our collective approach to Bonfire Night and broader fireworks use.

“Unfortunately, in recent years, Bonfire Night has become something of a focal point for potentially life-threatening disorder and violence. This year had the distinction of clear planning and premeditation on the part of those attacking police in Niddrie, which is a deeply disturbing development. I fear that unless we take decisive action now it is only a matter of time before we see serious injuries or even deaths on a future Bonfire Night.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to our fantastic emergency services colleagues who do an excellent job in keeping us all safe.

“I believe that we need to go further and ban the public sale of fireworks, such is the unprecedented risk to public safety and order. Whilst this may seem unfair to the majority of people who celebrate and use fireworks responsibly, what we have seen this year necessitates such a response. I’ll also be looking into whether we can help provide organised displays in the city, so our residents can enjoy fireworks in a safe and secure way.

“We need to face these challenges head on, and I look forward to further summits in the New Year.”

Appeal for information following fatal crash on the City Bypass

POLICE are appealing for information following a fatal crash on the A720 at Dreghorn yesterday.

Around 12.50pm on Thursday, 21 December, police were called to a report of a three vehicle crash on the City Bypass involving a white Ford Kuga and two HGVs.

Emergency services attended and the 68-year-old female driver of the Kuga was pronounced dead at the scene.

A 37-year-old woman and a 70-year-old man, who were passengers in the car, were taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment.

The road was closed while investigations were carried out and fully re-opened around 3.35pm.

Sergeant Paul Ewing said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the woman who died as a result of this crash.

“Our enquiries are ongoing and I would ask anyone who witnessed the crash or the car prior to the crash, who have not already spoken to police to contact us.

“I would also appeal to anyone who was in the area at the time and who may have dash cam footage which could assist to get in touch.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact 101 quoting reference 1734 of 21 December, 2023.

Police: Have you seen Connie?

POLICE are seeking your assistance in trying to locate a 14-year-old girl, missing from Penicuik.

Connie Cochrane was last seen in Dean Place, Penicuik around 1.30pm on Tuesday, 19 December, 2023. She is around 5ft 2 inches in height with long black hair. When last seen, she was wearing a black, shiny Canada Goose body warmer, a pink jumper and black leggings.

Police are growing increasingly concerned about Connie and just want to know she is safe and well.

Officers have been checking relevant CCTV images and continue to liaise with partner agencies in case Connie is using public transport to get around.

Inspector Cheryl Blanch said: “We are continuing to speak to Connie’s family and friends for any small details that could assist in our enquiries.

“I would appeal to anyone who may have seen Connie or who has any information about her whereabouts to please contact us.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 2905 of 19 December, 2023.

Fatal road crash at Hermiston Gait: Police appeal

Road Policing Officers in Edinburgh are appealing for information following a fatal road crash on the M8 yesterday (Monday, 18 December, 2023).

Around 9.10am, we received a report of a collision involving a MAN HGV and a Kia Sorento on the westbound M8, near to junction one, Hermiston Gait.

Emergency services attended and a 41-year-old woman, the driver of the Kia Sorento, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The road was closed until around 6.35pm, to allow an investigation to be carried out.

Road Policing Sergeant Jill Kirkpatrick said: “Our thoughts are with the family of the woman who died.

“Enquiries into the circumstances of this collision are ongoing, and I would ask anyone who was on the motorway at the time and may have seen the crash, to please contact us.

“I would also appeal to anyone with dash-cams or recording equipment to check their footage for anything that could assist us.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0761 of 18 December, 2023.”

Man injured on Saughton Road North: Witness Appeal

POLICE in Edinburgh are appealing for information after a man was found with serious injuries. The 63-year-old was found around 1.45am on Saturday, 16 December at Saughton Road North.

He was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment.

Enquiries are ongoing to establish how he came to be injured.

Detective Constable Alistair Hutton said: “We would urge anyone who believes they may have information or who perhaps came to the man’s aid to get in touch.

“We would also be keen to speak to anyone who may have dashcam or private CCTV footage from the area.

“Anyone with information can call 101, quoting reference 1222 of 16 December.”

Vandalism in St Andrew Square: Police release CCTV images

Officers in Edinburgh have released images of a man they would like to speak to as part of an ongoing investigation into an incident that involved vandalism within St Andrew Square.

The incident happened at about 4.50pm last Saturday (9 December, 2023).

The man in the images is described as white and aged between 20 – 30 years old with short brown hair. He was wearing a flat cap, knee-length coat, blue jeans and carrying a backpack.

Anyone who can help in identifying and tracing the man should report this to Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 2618 of 9 December, 2023.

Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.