Tag: Police Scotland

Police seek man following city centre assault and robbery

cctv

Police have released CCTV images of a man they wish to trace in connection with an assault and robbery of a woman in the city centre. During the incident, a 32-year-old woman sustained injuries to her face and her property was stolen.

The incident took place around 8.20 pm on Tuesday 12 July, on the pass between Rutland Square and Festival Square.

Officers believe that the man shown in the image may be able to assist them with their inquiries and would ask that anyone who recognises him or has other information about the incident to contact police.

Detective Constable Alison Wyllie of Police Scotland’s Violence Reduction Unit based at Edinburgh’s Gayfield police station said: “This was a violent attack that left the victim shaken and we’re conducting inquiries in order to trace the person responsible.” Continue reading Police seek man following city centre assault and robbery

Bogus builder jailed for three years

bogus2

An Edinburgh Trading Standards and Police Scotland anti-doorstep crime initiative has resulted in a jail sentence for a bogus workman. Robert Stewart, who defrauded an elderly victim out of almost £150,000, was convicted and jailed for three years at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Thursday.

Last December, Stewart (21) attended at the Preistfield Road home of an 87-year-old man and offered to repair a television antenna. Stewart then advised the homeowner that extensive work was required on the roof, which his company Abbey Building & Roofing could carry out.

The elderly man agreed to the maintenance and between late December 2015 and March 2016 made several online payments to the building company totalling £147, 460.

Staff at the victim’s bank contacted police after becoming suspicious and officers began investigating during which time they arranged for two independent surveys on the Priestfield Road house. It was established that the work carried out was inferior and valued at far less than the fee charged.

Detectives carried out financial inquiries and linked the payments to an account held by Robert Stewart, who was detained and subsequently charged on 14 April this year.

Detective Sergeant Gary Reid said: “Robert Stewart preyed on an elderly man and was able to extort a large sum of money for work that was sub-par and nowhere near the valuation of such repairs.

“After bank staff observed a pattern in the victim’s payments they became suspicious and reported their concerns to police. We then launched a robust investigation alongside the City of Edinburgh Council’s Trading Standards department resulting in Stewart being charged with bogus workmen offences.

“His sentence should send a clear message that we will continue to work closely with our partners to actively pursue those involved in crimes of this nature to bring them to justice.

“I would like to take this opportunity to remind our communities never to allow unsolicited work to be carried out on your home or property and to always use individuals or companies you know or trust.

“In addition, family, friends and neighbours of vulnerable people are asked to be vigilant for any suspicious or unusual activity around their homes and report any concerns they have to police.

“We are committed to tackling bogus workmen and rogue trader crimes and whenever these incidents are reported to us we will investigate thoroughly to bring those responsible to justice.”

Community Safety Leader Councillor Cammy Day said: “This court case should send a warning to those who are involved in this type of criminal behaviour. Doorstep Crime remains one of our top priorities and incidents can be devastating for victims, both financially and in terms of having the confidence to live independently.

“We must ensure that everyone has the confidence to come forward – every complaint is taken seriously. Consumers must be able to trust what they are told by tradesmen, and we advise the public to use Edinburgh’s Trusted Trader scheme if they need any work carried out. You can report incidents or ask for advice by calling 0131 529 3030.”

Hate Crime: do you know this woman?

cctv-relating-to-xenophobic-incident

Edinburgh police have released CCTV images of a woman that officers wish to trace following a hate crime on a bus where a 36-year-old woman and her children were subjected to xenophobic comments.

The incident happened around midday on Monday 9 May onboard a number 10 Lothian Bus travelling on Great Junction Street in Leith.

Officers believe that the woman shown in the images may be able to assist them with their enquiries.

She is described as white, in her early 40’s, of skinny build and at the time of the incident, she was wearing a white top and dark trousers.

Constable Thomas Winsor from Leith Police Station said: “The woman pictured in the CCTV footage is of interest to our ongoing inquiries and I would ask anyone who recognises her to contact police immediately. In addition, anyone with any further information relevant to this investigation should also come forward.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 or alternatively, the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where all information can be provided anonymously.

Cracking down on motorbike crime

joyriders

Young people riding motorbikes dangerously on our streets, green space, cycleways and even pavements has been causing anger and alarm in North Edinburgh for a long time now, so local residents will be delighted to hear that city police have launched a new operation dedicated to tackling motorbike theft and associated antisocial behaviour in the Capital. Continue reading Cracking down on motorbike crime

Police Scotland Open Day at Fettes

Saturday 23 July 11am – 2pm

police open day

We are delighted to announce that Edinburgh Division is holding an open day. There will be demonstrations and displays from all kinds of specialist units like our Marine Unit, Roads Policing and the Dog Unit … to name but a few!

The event is being held thanks to support from Lothian Buses who will be there on the day and it is open to everyone.

The Open Day will take place on Saturday 23rd July between 11am and 2pm at Fettes Police Station, 5 Fettes Avenue in Edinburgh.

Numerous other partner agencies are also getting involved. Mountain rescue, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, RNLI and 6VT youth café will all be amongst the fun, ready and willing to chat to you about what they do in our community.

Edinburgh Rugby and the British Army will also be there providing activities for any willing volunteers.

Also in attendance will be the Edinburgh Police Choir, which is made up of serving and retired officers, as well as members recruited through the local community.

The choir has performed at some prestigious events, including Edinburgh’s ‘Street of Light’ on the High Street during the festive period… Music to your ears?! You don’t want to miss them!

So, to find out more about what we do on a daily basis, get some crime prevention advice, see how we work with other agencies or generally just come and meet some of the people from all of these wonderful organisations, we look forward to seeing you on the 23rd!

Police Scotland Edinburgh Division

NO rise in race incidents in Edinburgh following referendum result

police hat

Local Police Inspector David Happs attended yesterday’s Living in Harmony forum to listen to community concerns of recent racist incidents in North Edinburgh – none of which were reported to police.

Following the meeting, Inspector Happs made some enquiries of his own and has responded to the group:

All,

Thank you to those that attended the meeting this afternoon, I hope you found my input and associated discussion useful. 

As discussed and in response to the email below the initial figures that I have for Edinburgh show there has actually been slightly less reported hate crimes and incidents in the period after the referendum, none of which can be directly attributed to the referendum result, than were experienced in the same time period before the result.

However, I am aware through contact with some of you there is an element of under-reporting of hate crimes and such incidents. We continue to work hard locally and nationally to address this and I am grateful to those who expressed an interest in establishing further 3rd party reporting centres in Edinburgh.

I hope this work alongside your support in encouraging victims to come forward and our continued engagement with our diverse communities will provide an accurate picture of hate crime in Edinburgh and assist Police Scotland in tackling it. 

With regard to offering reassurance to local communities Chief Inspector Alastair Muir of our National Safer Communities Department recently issued the following message:

“Police Scotland continues to monitor all types of hate crimes and incidents and we have noted no significant rise in reported incidents or crimes since the EU Referendum. It is recognised that these types on incidents often go un-reported and would encourage individuals and communities to report concerns in person, via Third Party Reporting Centres or online.  Our role as a police service is to ensure that all our communities are safe and feel protected and all reports of hate crime, extremism or violence are robustly investigated, with those responsible brought to justice. Police Scotland does not tolerate hatred, extremism or violence in any form.” 

More information about what constitutes a hate crime, how to report a hate crime and use of our 3rd party reporting centres can be found on our website. Our non-emergency telephone number is 101 and in an emergency you should always call 999.

http://www.scotland.police.uk/contact-us/hate-crime-and-third-party-reporting/

Further information will follow in due course and I will keep you updated accordingly. In the meantime please do not hesitate to contact me should you wish to discuss further.

Community Action North is to organise a community event around the issue – details to follow