There have been incidents of off-road bikes being ridden illegally on roads, in parks, on pavements and in other public spaces, resulting in injuries to both riders and members of the public.
There has also been damage to parks, fields, green spaces and private property.
Anti-social off-road bike use is more than just a nuisance, it’s a danger to the rider and the public.
Do you have information about these bikes and those people using them? You can report what you know to us or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Detectives investigating the discharge of a firearm in Edinburgh are urging those with information to contact them.
The incident occurred around 3.40pm on Thursday, 24 July, 2025 in the Hailesland Gardens area of the city. A 23-year-old man sustained an injury to his arm and was taken to hospital. He has since been released.
Officers have been carrying out door-to-door enquiries.
From reviewing CCTV footage, officers have established several people were in the area at the time of the incident.
Senior investigating officer, Detective Inspector Gordon Couper, said: “I would like to reassure everyone that a team of experienced detectives are working on this case.
“I believe there are people in the community who have information and for whatever reason they are not passing it on. I would appeal to them to help us and contact us. We are piecing together what happened and your detail could be the vital piece in the puzzle.
“If you saw anything or have captured any images which could assist in our inquiry please do get in touch. Everything is significant.”
Additional officers are in the area and anyone with information or concerns can speak to these officers.
Superintendent Paul Gillespie said: “We are determined to protect the public from harmful criminality and additional officers are on patrol to provide reassurance to everyone.
“Be assured, we are acting on your concerns and are carrying out regular activity in the Wester Hailes area, such as executing drugs warrants and tackling antisocial behaviour.
“Community based criminality affects the lives of everyone and we are working with our partners to deliver initiatives and plans to respond, detect and deter criminality.
If anyone has any information, please call Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 2318 of 24 July, 2025.
You can also get in touch with Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where you can give your information anonymously.
PEACEFUL PROTESTS – ONLY FOUR ARRESTS ACROSS SCOTLAND
Police officers took action at demonstrations and protest events across the country yesterday (Saturday, 26 July, 2025).
In Aberdeen, an 18-year-old man was arrested in connection with a number of outstanding warrants and will appear at court at a later date.
A 56-year-old man will be subject of a report to the Procurator Fiscal following an alleged assault in Aberdeen city centre.
In Glasgow, a 49-year-old woman was arrested in connection with an alleged obstruction of the police following an incident in George Square. A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.
A 50-year-old woman was issued with a Recorded Police Warning in connection with alleged threatening behaviour in Regent Terrace, Edinburgh.
Children in police custody in Glasgow are being offered confidential support from Childline as part of a new initiative.
The project, being run by the NSPCC, the children’s charity which delivers Childline, and Police Scotland, provides children in custody with information about the support service and offers them the chance to talk confidentially to a counsellor.
Young people who find themselves in custody in Glasgow are being offered to call Childline, where experienced counsellors can give them advice and emotional support in a confidential setting. This is to help the young person through a difficult time and try to reduce the likelihood of reoffending.
During the 10-week pilot period in Glasgow, 97% of the 107 young people brought into custody accepted the Childline leaflet.
The initiative was originally launched in Merseyside in September 2023, before being rolled out in Cheshire in March 2024.
Approximately 2,500 young people aged 10 to 17 and 1,000 18-year-olds in Merseyside and Cheshire have been told about the support available from Childline or seen a poster or leaflet with information about Childline.
Being taken into police custody can be a frightening experience for young people, and many of those who have contacted Childline told counsellors they felt scared and alone.
One 14-year-old told Childline*: “I’m in police custody again after arguing with my parents. It got violent, and they called the police. I’ll be released soon and I’m too scared to go home but I can’t leave my siblings there without my protection. Can you help me?”
An 18-year-old said*: “It’s not my first time in custody and one of the hard things is it reminds you how alone you are. I was meant to speak to my young person’s advisor today but missed it because I’m in here. She’s all I have, and I know she’s so close on giving up on me. I know I’m not coping and need options, but I don’t have anyone else to turn to.”
The idea for the scheme came from Deborah Rigby, a retired Merseyside police officer, who is now a supervisor at Childline in Liverpool.
Through her work she realised that many young people who came into custody would benefit from the support that Childline offered. She approached Merseyside Police, and they saw the potential in a collaboration with Childline, then they worked together to make it happen.
When a young person comes into custody, they are given the opportunity to receive emotional support, but they do not always take it because the offer has come from the police. This often results in young people being released without receiving the additional support they may need.
Assistant Chief Constable for Police Scotland Criminal Justice Services Division, Wendy Middleton said: “We welcome this initiative which has been providing additional support to young people who come into custody in Glasgow. We look forward to rolling this out nationally and ensuring that the same support is available across Scotland.
“We acknowledge that police custody can be a daunting and traumatic experience, particularly for children and young people. It is important that they can speak to someone in confidence who can listen to them and potentially help to address wider problems that they are experiencing. Childline is a valuable partner in this regard.”
Adeniyi Alade, NSPCC Scotland Helplines Service Head, who is based at the Childline call centre in Aberdeen, said:“This partnership allows us to reach young people who may feel vulnerable and need someone to talk to for advice at what might be a very difficult time. There are many reasons a young person comes to be in police custody and it’s important they are given all the support they need.
“While we are working with the police, the support we offer young people will be completely confidential. As with all calls to Childline, our support will be independent, and the police will not be made aware of it.”
During the pilot period, children and young people up to the age of 17 brought into police custody were offered a call with a Childline counsellor.
It is hoped that the initiative will be rolled out across Scotland after the NSPCC has assessed its impact in Glasgow.
The police custody centre at London Road, Glasgow, includes six cells which have been modified and decorated to improve the environment when children are detained. Cells have been painted with murals and have chalkboards, jigsaw puzzles, soft toys, books and posters to create a calming experience during a stressful time.
In addition, London Road has a separate discrete charge area with a lower height charge bar for processing children and young people, and other vulnerable detainees.
The transformation of London Road custody centre has acted as a pilot for the modernisation of several other children’s custody suites, which includes Police Scotland’s primary custody facility for Glasgow in Cathcart.
Young people looking for support on any of the issues mentioned, can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or visit Childline.org.uk.
Childline is available to all young people until their 19th birthday.
On Sunday, 23rd of July 2023, Ross Dominick, a father of three, was out riding his motorbike with friends along a popular route at Glencoe.
What began as any other day for an experienced motorcyclist, turned tragic.
A car crossed his path. The impact was fatal. Ross died at the scene.
Ross was one of 269 motorcyclists killed on Scotland’s roads between 2015 and 2024.
Motorcyclists make up 18 per cent of fatalities despite being less than 1 per cent of traffic on Scotland’s roads.
On the anniversary of this terrible day for those involved, Ross’ father Iain has agreed that Ross’ story be should be reshared to highlight the risks faced by motorcyclists and to hopefully prevent another family going through what they have.
Three women have been charged under the Terrorism Act 2000 after a van was driven into an external fence of a business premises in Edinburgh.
The incident happened during a disturbance in the Crewe Road North area of the city on Tuesday, 15 July, 2025.
The three women – aged 31, 34 and 42 – who were earlier arrested under the Terrorism Act 2000 have been charged and are due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court tomorrow – Monday, 21 July, 2025.
Police Scotland’s Counter Terrorism Unit are leading the investigation and enquiries are ongoing.
As part of the investigation, officers are appealing for information to trace the movements of a blue Ford Transit van in the Gorgie Road area on Monday, 14 July, 2025 and prior to the incident on Tuesday, 15 July, 2025.
They are also keen to trace the movements of a white Honda CR-Z on these dates. It was recovered from a carpark in Gorgie Road following the incident.
Anyone who saw either vehicle in the area, or has any information, is asked to contact police.
If anyone was in the Crewe Road North or Gorgie Road areas and has any relevant dashcam footage or saw anything suspicious, please contact police on 101 quoting reference 0416 of 15 July.
A 38-year-old man has been arrested in connection with Operation Portaledge, bringing the total number of arrests to 55.
Yesterday – Friday, 18 July, 2025 – officers arrested and charged the man in connection with wilful fire-raising and firearms offences. He is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, 21 July.
A 26-year-old man has been charged in connection with damage at a property on Walter Scott Avenue in Edinburgh on Thursday, 12 June, and a wilful fire-raising at a property on Jackson Way in Tranent on Friday, 13 June. He will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal.
Another 26-year-old man was also charged in connection with two vehicle fires in Port Seton, which occurred on Sunday, 18 May.
Riding off-road bikes illegally in public green spaces can cause serious injury to other people.
Know who’s riding an off-road bike in parks or recreation grounds? You can tell independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously about who’s involved and where it happens.
You can also get more info on how you can report to local partners and where you can legally and safely ride an off-road vehicle.
We are pleased to report Mohammed Raqeeb, missing from Dalkeith, has been located. We would like to thank everyone who shared our information.
HAVE YOU SEEN MOHAMMED?
POLICE are appealing for information to help trace Mohammed Raqeeb, 71, who was reported missing from Dalkeith.
Mohammed was last seen in the Danderhall area of the town around 3.30pm on Wednesday, 16 July, where he was seen boarding a bus heading for Edinburgh.
He is described as being of South Asian appearance, 5ft 7ins tall, of medium build with grey hair. He was last seen wearing an orange jumper, grey trousers and a grey flat cap.
He may be in the Bathgate area and is known to frequent bars and Indian restaurants.
Sergeant Fortune said: “Our enquiries to trace Mohammed are ongoing, and I am appealing to anyone who has seen him or has any information about his whereabouts to contact us.
“Mohammed could be in the Bathgate area but is also known to visit Edinburgh.
“Concerns are growing for Mohammed’s welfare, and we are keen to trace him as soon as possible.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident number 3685 of 16 July, 2025.
