Three males have been arrested and charged following an extensive investigation into a series of housebreakings and thefts across central Scotland.
The offences occurred in the Fife, Stirling, Glasgow and West Lothian areas between 26 September and 1 October, 2025.
On Thursday, 16 October, 2025, officers executed arrest warrants at three properties in Edinburgh.
A 35-year-old man was arrested from Ferry Road, a 20-year-old man was arrested from Wester Drylaw Drive. Both have been charged in connection with several offences, including housebreaking, vehicle theft and road traffic offences.
The men were due to appear at Livingston Sheriff Court yesterday (Friday 17 October).
A 17-year-old male was arrested from Broomhouse Grove. He was charged with theft and released to appear at court at a later date.
Detective Sergeant John Irvine said: “Crimes of this nature have a serious impact on the victims, causing them to question the safety and security of their own homes, and I would like to commend the work of the officers investigating this crime series.
“I would also like to thank the various local communities for their assistance with our enquiries to date and reassure the public that any reports of criminality will be investigated thoroughly by Police Scotland.”
POLICE in Edinburgh are appealing for information after two men broke into a property in the Silverknowes area and demanded car keys from the occupant.
The incident happened around 4.10am on Wednesday, 15 October, 2025, at a house on Silverknowes Midway.
The men were wearing all black clothing, face coverings and gloves. Nothing was stolen from the property.
Enquiries so far suggest they may have had a white BMW 1 series car with black wheels.
Detective Sergeant Will Dickson said: “Fortunately, the occupant was not injured but she was left very shaken by what happened.
“Our enquiries are ongoing to trace those responsible and we are asking anyone who saw anything, or who has private CCTV that could help, to get in touch.
“If you were driving in the area around the time of the incident, please check any dash-cam footage to see if you have captured something that could assist.”
Anyone who can assist is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0351 of Wednesday, 15 October, 2025, or make a call anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Road policing officers are appealing following a serious crash in the Drumbrae Terrace area.
The incident happened around 1.30am this morning (Thursday, 16 October), and involved a black Suzuki Jimny car which hit a building at Drumbrae park.
Emergency services attended and a 20-year-old man, a passenger, was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh where his condition is described as critical.
The driver, an 18-year-old man, and another passenger, a 19-year-old man, were treated at hospital for minor injuries.
Sergeant Grant Hastie said: “Our enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances and we are asking people in the area to check any private CCTV from the surrounding streets to see if they have captured anything that could assist.
“If you were driving in the area please also check to see if you have any dash-cam that might help with our investigation.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0194 of Thursday, 16 October, 2025.
Two men have been arrested and charged in connection with drug offences and handling stolen cars in Midlothian.
On Friday, 10 October, 2025, officers acting under warrant, entered a property in the Newbattle area and seized a significant quantity of drugs and stolen vehicles.
Officers recovered vehicles including motorbikes, quad bikes and electric bikes in today’s operation.
Cocaine and cannabis, with a potential street value of £97,000 has also been seized.
Two men, aged 28 and 23, are due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, 13 October, 2025.
This follows yesterday’s operation in Sherwood Industrial Estate in Bonnyrigg, Midlothian. Both operations involved officers from Midlothian, Edinburgh and Forth Valley as officers work together to combat drugs, vehicle theft and serious and organised crime.
Detective Chief Inspector Barry McDaid said: “In the past two days we have recovered a large number of stolen vehicles and removed Class A drugs from our streets.
“Both these operations have been extremely successful and underline our commitment to the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce and the country’s Serious Organised Crime Strategy.”
Two men aged 28 have been arrested and charged in connection with an attempted murder on Prestonfield AvenuE.
The incident happened around 9.40pm on Friday, 26 September, 2025, when a 29-year-old man was struck by a van. He was taken to hospital for treatment.
Detective Constable Joanne Roberston said: “Extensive enquiries were carried out to trace those involved and I would like to thank members of the public who got in touch.”
Nine emergency service workers and five members of the public have been presented with Brave@Heart awards by First Minister John Swinney.
Among those commended for acts of courage and bravery was an off duty firefighter who rescued two sailors on a boat which had crashed into rocks near St Andrews. Two police officers were recognised for calmly and decisively taking action against a man with a suspected firearm in West Lothian.
Another winner included a woman who saved two people from burning cars following a collision in the Scottish Borders, saving both their lives. Two children aged 11 and 9 in Aberdeen saved the life of their mother after she suffered a cardiac arrest – they called 999 and put their mum into the recovery position while following the advice of the emergency services call handler and seeking help from their neighbours.
During a ceremony at the First Minister’s official residence, Bute House in Edinburgh last night, John Swinney also presented five Brave@Heart award winners with St Andrew’s Awards in recognition of their exceptional bravery including Police Constable Aaron McCall & Police Sergeant Paul Griffiths, Nathan Foster, Damon Creevey and Ian Skinner.
Since 2010, the Brave@Heart Awards have recognised acts of bravery by staff of the blue-light services, voluntary sector rescue organisations and members of the public. The recipients each year are chosen by an independent validation panel.
First Minister John Swinney said: “One of my greatest privileges as First Minister is celebrating the remarkable people who make their communities and our society better. The Brave@Heart awards do just that as we honour extraordinary individuals who have changed lives, saved lives, and left a lasting impact on others.
“Everyone who has received an award has, in a moment that truly mattered, stepped forward with bravery and conviction. That is clear from the powerful stories shared by the validation panel, and even more so from hearing these experiences firsthand.
“With these awards, we shine a light on their courage, so that their stories can continue to inspire others. They remind us that bravery can come from anywhere, in any circumstance and that bravery can make all the difference.”
Brave@Heart Validation Panel Chair David Garbutt said: “As Chair of the First Minister’s Awards Validation Panel, I’ve been deeply honoured to hear the nominations from our emergency services about so many inspiring acts of courage and selflessness undertaken by citizens in Scotland, with ordinary people going far beyond the norm to help others.
“It’s been a truly humbling experience and a great privilege to be part of this process.”
SCOTTISH AMBULANCE SERVICE HAILS BRAVE@HEART AWARDEES
Two brave siblings who saved their mum’s life and three Scottish Ambulance Service staff have been recognised at this year’s Brave@Heart awards.
The awards celebrate acts of bravery in exceptional circumstances by blue-light services, voluntary rescue organisations and members of the public.
Youngsters Oliver Liddle and Arianna Liddle, along with SAS staff Ian Skinner, Colene Buchan and Jill Summers, all collected certificates on Tuesday (October 7) at a ceremony at Bute House, attended by the First Minister.
Oliver, 12, and Arianna, 11, of Aberdeen, provided immediate care to their mum after she had a cardiac arrest last year.
Arianna called 999 after finding Donna, who suffered a cardiac arrest, unresponsive on the floor while Oliver put her into the recovery position. After speaking to the call handler, several ambulance staff were dispatched with help arriving within six minutes.
Their award nomination said: “Without the prompt and brave action of Oliver and Arianna, Donna may not have been alive today. It was a stressful time, but Donna has made an amazing recovery.”
Iain Skinner, Advanced Paramedic based at Killin Ambulance Station, attended to a challenging incident involving a patient last year.
He was nominated by a fellow member of staff who said: “Through his quick thinking, physical intervention and bravery, Iain ensured the safety of all present and successfully managed the situation.”
Paramedics Jill Summers and Colene Buchan, both based at Fraserburgh, attended to a challenging situation involving a multi-agency response where they bravely descended an extremely high and unstable cliff to attend to a patient.
Their award nomination said: “They are a credit to the Scottish Ambulance Service and most importantly were brave, skilled and effective under extreme pressure.”
SAS Chief Executive Michael Dickson said: “The actions of all the Brave@Heart recipients are truly commendable, and they have each showed extraordinary bravery.
“They are all wonderful ambassadors for the Scottish Ambulance Service. I’d like also to commend the actions of Oliver and Arianna. Their quick-thinking saved their mum’s life.”
An 81-year-old man has died following a crash on Annandale Street in Edinburgh at the junction with Haddington Place. The incident happened on Sunday, 28 September, around 1.20am, and involved the man and a bus.
He was taken to hospital by the Scottish Ambulance Service where he died on Saturday, 4 October. No one else was injured.
Sergeant Louise Birrell said: “Our thoughts are with the family of the man who died and they have asked for privacy.
“Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances and we are asking anyone with information that could help who has not already spoken to officers to get in touch.”
Anyone who can assist is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0302 of Sunday, 28 September, 2025.
Over 3,000 pupils from 30 schools across the Capital are attended Young Driver 2025 this week.
The annual event is aimed at senior year secondary school pupils and explores the risks and responsibilities of becoming a new driver, through presentations and workshops delivered by the Council, Police and partner organisations.
The issues discussed include vehicle, pedestrian and passenger safety, laws on the road, travelling by and interacting with public transport, first aid and much more.
Young Driver 2025 ran from September 29 = 2nd October.
Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson said: “Young Driver 2025 is an incredibly important event to make sure the next generation of Edinburgh’s drivers have all the resources they need to form good habits as they get on the road.
I was delighted to attend, meeting with colleagues from the Council and partner organisations along with our young people. I was also struck by the strong breadth of useful and practical material being delivered across the four-day event.
“We remain committed to enhancing road safety across the Capital for all road users, with over £6m being invested in our Road Safety Delivery Plan this year alone.
“I’d like to thank everyone who has supported the event this year and made it such a great success.”
Inspector Kosmas Papakyriakou, Road Policing said: “Edinburgh Division is fully supportive of Young Driver 2025. It is excellent educational tool to assist young people to become careful, considerate, and safe drivers and road users.
“Keeping people safe on and around our roads is a priority for Police Scotland, our communities and our partners. By working together to make young people aware of the risks and impacts of dangerous road user behaviour, we can help reduce casualties in the future.”
Mairi Day, Partner at Digby Brown said:“In the last month in Scotland we have seen three teenagers die in a car crash, and in a separate incident a young man had been jailed for more than two years for driving while under the influence of alcohol.
“His actions resulted in one of his friends losing both his legs and two others being left with serious spinal injuries
“Every day at Digby Brown we see similar road traffic accidents but also how devastating they are.
“We help the people who are left with life changing injuries and supporting the families trying to come to terms with a sudden loss.
“But what makes these incidents more painful is many are avoidable.
“Driving is a life skill, and we need to talk to our young people about how to stay safe and give them the confidence to make good decisions while out on the road.
“This is why events like Edinburgh Young Drivers are so important.”
Since 2010 Digby Brown has been a main supporter of the Edinburgh Young Driver event bringing their expertise in personal injury law and supporting people affected by serious road traffic accidents.
This year sees the return of the mock court featuring a real case from the firm’s archives aiming to show young people the consequences of taking risks on the road.
Yousef (S6) from Currie Community High School said: “It was a fantastic experience with lots of fun activities and provided a valuable insight into the consequences of negligence on the road.
“With stations such as VR, simulators and mock court sessions, there was never a dull moment!”
Sam (S6)from Currie Community High School said:“The Young Driver’s event was a successful learning experience which I found incredibly insightful.
“We listened to a variety of useful talks and had the opportunity to visit stands from numerous professionals which helped me understand how to stay safe on the road.”
Organised by the Council, Young Driver 2025 was attended and supported by Edinburgh Corn Exchange, Brainkind, British Transport Police, Digby Brown, IAM, Lothian Buses, Police Scotland (Roads Policing, School Link Officers and Safety Camera Partnership), Scottish Ambulance Service, Scottish Fire & Rescue Service and Spinal Injuries Scotland.
Chief Inspector Kieran Dougal from the Preventions, Interventions and Partnership department said: “Police Scotland are pleased to be supporting the Young Driver Event again this year and to be working closely with our partners in a multi-agency approach to promote safe driving.
“This a great event aimed at providing road safety education.
“Road safety is a priority for Edinburgh Division and Police Scotland. This event helps young people with the awareness and skills needed to drive safely. Remember to drive safely and to the conditions – collisions have a wide impact.
As a priority, “Keeping people safe on and around our roads … we can help reduce casualties in the future.”
POLICE are appealing for witnesses following a serious crash involving a bus and a pedestrian.
The incident happened on Sunday, 28 September, 2025, at around 1.20am on Annandale Street, at the junction with Haddington Place.
An 81-year-old male pedestrian was involved in a collision with a bus as it travelled down Annandale Street.
The man was taken to hospital by the Scottish Ambulance Service where he remains receiving treatment. There were no other reported injuries.
Sergeant Louise Birrell said: “This crash happened in the early hours of Sunday morning and despite the late time, I’m asking anyone who may have saw what happened to come forward.
“The pedestrian had travelled on foot from the top of Leith Walk and I’d ask anyone who may have seen him, or captured the incident on a dash-cam device, to check your systems and provide anything of relevance as soon as possible.”
Those with information should contact Police Scotland on 101 and quote incident number 0302 of 28 September, 2025.
Police Scotland have released images of two men who may be able to assist an enquiry into a serious assault which took place on West Granton Road, at around 10.15pm on Saturday, 23 August, 2025.
The first man, pictured below, is described as white, aged 35 to 45-years-old with dark hair and beard. He was wearing a black Under Armour T-shirt and Adidas jogging bottoms.
The second man, pictured below, is described as white, aged 18 to 25 years-old, wearing glasses, a black hooded top with an Adidas Original logo and black jogging bottoms.
Detective Constable William Doughty, of Corstorphine CID said: “I would encourage these men or anyone who may recognises them to get in touch.”
Anyone who can assist is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 3999 of 23 August 2025. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.
Young Driver Safety Event at The Corn Exchange 
