Tag: Police Scotland

Victims urged to report hate crimes

10% fall in racial hate crime charges brought by police

People affected by hate crime have been encouraged to come forward to police to ensure perpetrators can be properly dealt with.

Minister for Community Safety Annabel Ewing made the appeal following the publication of a series of reports covering hate crime, religiously aggravated offences and the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012 which show:

  • Racial crime charges are the most common brought by police, but with a decrease of 10% compared to 2015/16
  • Sexual orientation aggravated charges increased by 5% compared to 2015/16
  • The number of religiously aggravated charges is the highest since 2012/13
  • 44% of victims in religiously aggravated charges were police officers
  • 377 charges were made under the Offensive Behaviour Act , an increase of 32% on the previous year. 140 of these charges relate to the Scottish Cup Final on 21 May 2016.

Minister for Community Safety Annabelle Ewing said: “Any crime motivated by prejudice is absolutely unacceptable. While the statistics show a decrease in reported racial crimes, there have been increases in those related to sexual orientation, religion and transgender identity and we cannot be complacent about these crimes are dealt with.

“I remain concerned that hate crimes are under-reported and want to encourage anyone who has been subjected to such appalling acts to come forward to ensure that perpetrators can be dealt with appropriately. We will keep engaging with community leaders on how best to raise awareness of how such crimes can be reported and in the meantime. We will continue to work with Police Scotland and others to ensure a robust response to perpetrators.

“Scotland does not exist in isolation from the rest of the world and we know that global events have an impact on the levels of hate crime that different communities are subjected to. We must ensure that we have appropriate legislation in place to deal with those who continue to perpetrate prejudice, bigotry and hatred, which is why I commissioned the Independent Review of Hate Crime Legislation in Scotland and expect that its findings will help us to ensure that our hate crime legislation is fit for the 21st century.

“The number of charges under the Offensive Behaviour Act demonstrate that we still have a problem with offensive and abusive behaviour related to football matches and that we need legislation to give our police the powers required to ensure that football is not immune from the standards expected in the rest of society.”

Chief Superintendent Barry McEwan, Head of Safer Communities, Police Scotland, added: “I would always encourage anyone who has been the victim of hate crime in any form, whether because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, ethnicity or any other individual circumstance, to come forward and report it to the police. It is only through reporting offences that we can form a more complete picture of the issue and address is in the most robust manner possible.

“Police Scotland will not tolerate any attempts to target any community by any misguided individual or group and will work with all of our partners to resolve any issues and address any concerns. Should anyone become a victim of, or witness to, any hate crime, they should contact the police and report the incident, by calling 101 or 999 if it is an emergency.”

Hate Crime in Scotland 2016-17

Religously Aggravated Offending in Scotland 2016 – 17

 

 

Cyclist dies following city centre collision

A woman cyclist has died following a collision in the city centre. It’s understood she overbalanced when her cycle wheel became stuck in tram tracks and she fell into the path of an oncoming tour bus. 

The 24-year-old was cycling at the West End of Princes Street at around 8.30am yesterday when she came off her bike at the junction with Lothian Road, before being involved in a collision with the Rabbie’s Tours mini-bus. The woman, who has not yet been named, sustained serious injuries and was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh where she later passed away.

Roads at the busy junction were closed for several hours and diversions put in place while Road Policing Officers carried out investigations at the scene.

Anyone with information is asked to come forward.

Sergeant Fraser Wood from the Road Policing Unit in Edinburgh said: “Sadly, as a result of this collision, the young woman sustained injuries that she could not recover from. Our sympathies are with her family and friends at this time.

“As part of our ongoing investigation we remain keen to speak to members of the public who witnessed this incident, or who have information that can assist us in establishing the full circumstances of what happened.”

Those with information can contact the Road Policing Unit in Edinburgh via 101 and quote incident number 643 of the 31st May.

Alison Johnstone, Scottish Green MSP for Lothian, used First Minister’s Questions to raise concerns about safe cycling infrastructure following yesterday’s fatal accident in Edinburgh in which a twenty-four year old woman came off her bike on tram tracks and was hit by a minibus.

Cycling campaigners have claimed that the number of accidents on tram tracks in the Capital is higher than in other UK cities.

Alison Johnstone, co-convener of Holyrood’s cross-party group on cycling, said: “Our deepest sympathies go out to the family and friends of the young woman who died. While an investigation is underway into the circumstances, it is terrible that it often takes such shocking events to prompt a rethink of how we plan our infrastructure.

“Cycling should be a safe way of getting about our towns and cities for everyday activities. I’m pleased that the First Minister agreed to my request that the Transport Minister meets with campaign groups to discuss what can be done to prevent any further injuries or loss of life.”

‘Our message is simple: the best approach is NONE’

POLICE LAUNCH DRINK/DRUG DRIVING CAMPAIGN

Sadly, statistics show that this is the time of year when Scotland’s road users are at their highest risk of being killed or seriously injured because the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Sometimes “just one drink” can push you over the legal limit and in turn have devastating consequences.

The video (below) from THINK road safety is a reminder that you should not succumb to peer pressure in social situations. Every life is worth more than any extra drink.

Speaking about the launch of a campaign to tackle this issue, our national Head of Road Policing Chief Superintendent Andy Edmonston said: “As we head towards summer there are many additional social events for people to attend, such as barbecues with family and friends or larger organised events such as town shows or village galas. All are perfect opportunities to socialise in relaxed surroundings and many people will take the opportunity to have an alcoholic drink.

“Whatever the occasion, as responsible individuals, we all have a duty to consider the amount of alcohol we consume if we intend on driving. It is important to remember that the measures of alcoholic drinks consumed at social events can be significantly more than pub measures. Unfortunately, people can get caught up in the moment and unintentionally or otherwise over-indulge in alcohol.

“Drivers must consider that even if you make alternative arrangements to get home after an event, you could be over the limit the next day, depending upon the amount you have had to drink. The effects of alcohol do not wear off immediately and drivers must be aware of this if they intend driving the following morning. Make sure you do not get caught out.

“Over the next week our increased visibility and activity throughout the country aims to reassure the public that drink/drug driving is highly dangerous and publicly unacceptable. If you choose to drink and drive or drive whilst unfit due to the effects of drugs there is a high likelihood that you will be caught.

“Our message is simple – the best approach is none.”

Police Scotland is committed to achieving the Scottish Government’s 2020 casualty reduction targets by tackling the risks associated with drink/drug driving and the campaign supports the service’s efforts to reduce road casualties.

Anyone with information on drink/drug drivers can contact Police Scotland on 999 in an emergency. Alternatively call 101 or Crimestoppers in complete anonymity on 0800 555 111

Operation Close Pass: Seventy motorists receive ‘chat on the mat’

Nearly 70 people in Edinburgh have received the ‘chat on the mat’ as part of Operation Close Pass. The initiative sees drivers who pass an unmarked police cyclist too closely pulled over and given advice using a specially designed mat which shows how much space a person on a bicycle needs when overtaking them. Continue reading Operation Close Pass: Seventy motorists receive ‘chat on the mat’

Operation Soteria: Easter update

Edinburgh Police report:

Easter Drylaw Park

Thanks to your calls, we were able to recover three stolen motorbikes at the start of this week hidden in the Clermiston/Drum Brae area. All of these bikes have been sent away for forensic examination.

Our Op Soteria officers and Edinburgh Council colleagues also spotted hidden motorbikes in the Granton area whilst on patrol. Through joining a few dots, we recognised this as being the same bike driven by a man who has now been reported for motoring offences. Like homing pigeons, we returned to the same area the next night and another stolen bike was waiting for uplift.

Following reports of youths driving around in the Easter Drylaw Park area on motorbikes on Tuesday, we reported one for various motoring offences including being in possession of a stolen vehicle. The motorbike was seized for forensic examination and there will be further enquiry regarding other thefts across the city in relation to this juvenile.

Others who we identified having not committed any offences were returned home to their parents. Note to parents – who your kids are associating with is your business. Speak to your children and take an interest in their lives. Next time it could be a phone call from the cells, or even worse.

Later in the week, the Op Soteria team were in the West Pilton/West Shore Road area after numerous calls regarding a high powered motorbike being driven on the foreshore. The police Helicopter was deployed and the bike was followed across the city. We appreciate it’s a noisy machine but it’s truly an invaluable resource to us. Sharp footage from the chopper has led to positive enquiries being conducted to trace those involved.

Another man was spotted breaching his bail curfew so he’s been reported for his troubles.

Keep the reports coming folks. We need your help in combating motorcycle related crime.