Crime prevention event at Trinity Academy

Police Scotland will be hosting a crime prevention and domestic security event to raise awareness of domestic property security and the effective measures which can be taken to protect your home and property on

Monday 27 April – Forth Event – Trinity Academy 6.30pm

The evening will consist of presentations from Police Scotland, Neighbourhood Watch Scotland and other partners. The event aims to offer constructive advice regarding personal safety and the protection of your property and will afford attendees an opportunity to ask questions.

Two in hospital following Wardieburn knife attack

Two men stabbed in Wardieburn in broad daylight

Two men are being treated in hospital following a knife attack in Wardieburn Place yesterday. The incident happened in broad daylight at around 6pm.

An investigation is underway to establish whether a Vauxhall Astra abandoned at the scene was involved in the incident.

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: “Police in Edinburgh responded to a report of a serious assault on two men in the Wardieburn/Pilton area of the city around 6pm on Wednesday. Enquiries are ongoing into the full circumstances of this incident.”

If you have any information about the incident call Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Telford rapist jailed for five years

A man was sentenced to five years imprisonment yesterday at Edinburgh High Court after being found guilty of rape. Mike Okah (26) was found guilty of the rape of a woman at a flat in Telford Grove, Edinburgh on July 19 last year.

Despite Okah’s denial of his guilt and his attempts to pervert the course of justice, he was arrested and charged following an investigation Police Scotland’s Rape Investigation Unit, based in Edinburgh.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Alwyn Bell said: “I would like to acknowledge the courage of the victim throughout this investigation. This was a particularly violent incident and Okah refused to acknowledge his guilt, going to great lengths to attempt to cover up his crime.

“Tackling sexual crime is a priority for Police Scotland. The National Rape Taskforce and rape investigation units across Scotland are victim focused and we work with partners to ensure that people receive the support they need, when they need it. We continue to encourage anyone subjected to any crime of a sexual nature to contact Police Scotland.”

Police Scotland launches Most Wanted website

Police Scotland has launched a dedicated section of their website where the public can help officers to trace the “Most Wanted”.

From today (Friday 3 April), the public can click onto the most wanted page of the website and find the faces of those individuals officers across the country want to trace.

Since the launch of Police Scotland two years ago, the Fugitive Unit has arrested 215 wanted individuals, 183 of those arrested have come from requests from law enforcement agencies all across the world to trace those who were in Scotland. Police Scotland has been assisted by forces world wide in bringing back 32 people to face justice here in Scotland following arrest warrants issued by the Crown Office.

The Most Wanted section of the website will be updated when those who are evading capture are brought to justice and will be updated to show details of anyone who may be wanted.

The faces on the most wanted website are:

Derek Ferguson: Wanted for the murder of Thomas Cameron in 2007.

Israr Ali: Wanted for the murder of Waqar Shar in 2010.

Rezgar Zengana: Convicted of Rape in 2006 and failed to appear for sentencing.

Jonathan Kelly: Wanted for attempting to defeat the ends of justice in 2014.

Dariusz Kazmierczak: Wanted in Poland for multiple frauds.

Martin Banis – Wanted for fraud , has been convicted and sentenced to six years imprisonment.

Luis Miguel De Barros Silva –Wanted for to Section 39(1) of the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010 (Stalking offences).

Speaking ahead of the launch of the website, Detective Inspector David Wilson from the Fugitive Unit said:

“One of the main benefits of the most wanted section of the Police Scotland website is that you can log on across the world and look at the faces of those we need to trace. Criminals do not respect borders and we know that they need help from others in order to continue to evade justice. Like everyone else, they need somewhere to live and access to money.

“I would ask the public to look at the faces and the most wanted website and if they have any information about those whose faces appear to contact Police on 101. Or if they have any information they wish to pass anonymously they can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

You can access the Most Wanted section here.

N-ice support from emergency services

It was smiles all round at Police Scotland’s Fettes HQ earlier today when The Sick Kids Friends Foundation was presented with a cheque for £1175. The sum was raised at an ice hockey match held last month between teams from Police Scotland and UK Firefighters in aid of the Edinburgh charity.

It was a clash to remember for the players of Police Scotland who eventually triumphed at Murrayfield Ice Rink with a hard-fought 8-3 victory.

Detective Sergeant Martin McKay helped organise the event and was delighted with the final total raised. He explained: “Both teams are delighted with the amount of money raised for such a worthy cause and I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who came down and showed their support.

“But of course, talking from the viewpoint as a proud member of the Police Scotland team, I have to say that I was also delighted with the final score!”

Victoria Watson of the Sick Kids Friends Foundation added: “It has been absolutely fantastic to work with Police Scotland and the UK Firefighters. This was a successful event and all the money raised will go towards helping sick children and their families across Scotland.”

Also attending the cheque presentation were Riley Emmerson and Kyle Flemington of the Edinburgh Capitals – and charity mascot PJ Bear.

Drugs worth £200,000 seized following local raids

Police act on local intelligence – five to appear in Court

House searches at addresses in Drylaw, Leith and Broomhouse have led to five arrests and the recovery of drugs worth almost £200,000.

Acting on local community-led intelligence, police officers from the Organised Crime Counter and Terrorism Unit seized over 16kg of cannabis. 11kg of amphetamine and 112 diazepam tablets.

Four men – aged 51, 33, 49 and 45 – and a 46-year-old woman are now scheduled to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

If you wish to report drug crime or any other ongoing criminal activity your area can contact Police Scotland on 101 or make an anonymous report via the charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111.

Crackdown on crime continues across the city

Police Scotland have reported more progress in the fight against crime on Edinburgh’s streets

Police in Edinburgh investigating a firearms discharge in West Pilton have charged three men as part of wider disruption activity linked to the enquiry.

Officers responded to calls to West Pilton March in the early hours of Tuesday 3 March after gunshots were fired at the front door of a house.

Through information gathered from the local community during the subsequent investigation police identified three men aged 20, 23 and 25 in connection with a number of other crimes, including housebreaking, robbery and bail offences which had occurred across the city.

The three have since appeared in court and are all remanded in custody. Enquires are continuing into the firearms discharge and anyone who can assist police with their ongoing investigation is asked to come forward.

Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Houston said: “The local community in West Pilton have been extremely helpful during our enquiries into the firearms discharge and as a result of this investigation, three men have subsequently been charged.

“I would like to thank the public for all of their assistance so far and would again request that anyone who can help us trace those responsible for the firearms discharge to contact police immediately.

“In addition, anyone wishing to report any further criminal activity can also get in touch by contacting 101 or making an anonymous call to the charity Crimestoppers on 08000 555 111.”

In a separate development, enquiries into a Portobello armed robbery have led to arrests for crimes committed in Craigcrook Road.

A 21 year old man old appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Tuesday facing charges in connection with an armed robbery at a Ladbrokes betting shop in Portobello on Monday 2 March.

Enquiries in relation to this robbery led to the subsequent arrest of a man and woman in connection with an attempted robbery in Liberton Gardens and a housebreaking and vehicle theft in Craigcrook Road.

Both offences took place on Monday (9 March) and the pair aged 20 and 21 appeared in court yesterday.

In addition, a 25-year-old man has been charged following a robbery in Magdalene Gardens on Sunday 8 March. The male has also been charged with a firearms offence following a disturbance in Lochend Drive the same evening.

Detective Inspector Alan O’Brien said: “As a result of vital intelligence from the public, alongside extensive investigation from police in Edinburgh a number of individuals are now in custody in connection with various incidents, which took place in the Capital over the past week.

“We are continuing with our enquiries to identify others believed to be involved in the Portobello robbery and would again request that anyone with information that can assist with this investigation comes forward.

“Police Scotland is committed to tackling violent crime and offences where weapons are used. Whenever we receive reports of this nature we will conduct a thorough investigation to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.”

Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101 or alternatively, the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

What’s all that noise, then?

If you live in North Edinburgh you couldn’t have helped hearing the helicopter circling over the area last night. What was it all about? Police Scotland explain all:

HELICOPTER ACTION

Last night the Police Helicopter was out conducting planned police activity in the Pennywell Road area.

This activity was part of Operation Quarterlight our initiative aimed at tackling motor vehicle crime. Officers from across Edinburgh were deployed, including dog units and of course the chopper.

A 22-year-old man and a 44-year-old woman were arrested and charged with a number of offences. They will both appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today.

So there you have it – no hiding place for criminals …

Have you seen Ian?

Police are appealing for information to help trace a man reported missing since Monday (9 March).

Ian Nelson, also known as Ian Copeland, who is 38-year-old, was last seen around 1.30pm in the Western General Hospital where he was receiving treatment. Staff are concerned that he has missed the dose of the medicine he needs and his health could be affected.

Ian is described as a white male, 5 ft 10, slim build with short ginger hair and a fair complexion. He is believed to be wearing a grey top and dark trousers.

Officers are now urging anyone who can assist with their enquiries to come forward. Inspector Allan Symington said: “We are concerned for Ian’s health and welfare and are keen to speak to anyone who can help us trace him. Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101.”

Laing’s jewellery robbery: arrests made

Two in court on Monday – watches still missing

A 24-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the armed robbery which took place at Laing the Jewellers in Frederick Street on Monday morning.

The man is in custody after police carried out a search of a property in Chesser Grove on Thursday.

Officers also recovered a significant quantity of heroin with a street value of about £47,000, two firearms, ammunition and a quantity of cash during the raid.

A second man, 26, who is not believed to have been involved in the armed robbery, was arrested at the property for firearms and drug-related offences.

Both men are now due to appear in Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday.

A man and woman from Easter Drylaw were detained by police in connection with the incident on Tuesday but were subsequently released without charge.

Police Scotland’s Detective Inspector Grant Johnston said: “Following an investigation officers have arrested and charged a 24-year-old man in connection with an armed robbery at Laing the Jeweller. As part of our inquiries we also recovered a quantity of drugs and firearms, and a second male has been arrested for these offences.

“I would also add that police are still attempting to trace the Rolex watches that were stolen from the jewellers and I would ask anyone who can provide information on their whereabouts to call us immediately.”

If you have any information call Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111