Police Scotland – Page 210 – The NEN

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

Jewellery robbery: latest developments

A man has been detained in connection with an armed robbery at an Edinburgh jewellers during which watches worth about £100,000 were taken.

The robbery took place at Laing the Jewellers in Frederick Street on Monday.

The man is being held after police carried out a search of a house in Chesser Grove earlier.

The man and a woman who had been detained earlier in the week in Easter Drylaw were later released without charge.

Police Chief: ‘Edinburgh is a safe city’

Chief Supt Mark Williams Responds to Recent Firearms Incidents in Edinburgh

Chief Supt Mark Williams, Divisional Commander for the City of Edinburgh (pictured above) said: “Over the past few days, officers across Edinburgh have been involved in investigating a number of incidents in the city involving firearms.

“These crimes are isolated and are not linked. We’ve got dedicated teams pursuing positive lines of inquiry into those we believe are involved and let me be clear, we will do all we can to find those responsible and bring them to justice.

“Edinburgh is a safe city, violent crime is continuing to fall and incidents like these are thankfully rare.

“We would appeal to anyone who has information about these incidents to come forward and speak to us in complete confidence. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Jewellery robbery: Drylaw pair in custody

A man and a woman are being held in connection with an armed robbery at an Edinburgh jewellers yesterday. Police Scotland said a 27-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman have been detained.

An investigation was launched after a man robbed Laing the jewellers in Frederick Street at gunpoint and took watches to the value of £100,000. The robber subsequently hijacked a private hire car and was last seen in Pilton Drive North.

The couple were detained in North Edinburgh this afternoon following the search of a property in Easter Drylaw.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Police in Edinburgh attended an address in Easter Drylaw earlier today (Tuesday) as part of their investigation into an armed robbery and investigations are ongoing.”

Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 or through Crimestoppers on 08000 555 111.

Shots fired in West Pilton

Shots were fired at a house in West Pilton March in the early hours of this morning. The house in West Pilton March was targeted at around 1am but no one was injured in the attack.

Police Scotland have launched an investigation. A spokesman said: “Police in north Edinburgh are investigating a report of a firearm discharge at a house in West Pilton March.”

We will update this story as more information becomes available

Afton Terrace intruders: man to appear in court

Last month a theft took place at an address in Afton Terrace during which the homeowner disturbed a male intruder in his house.

Following extensive enquiries police traced and interviewed a man who was subsequently charged with a number of offences including serious assault. He is due to appear at court today.

Frederick St jewellery robbery latest

Gunman last seen in Pilton Drive North

Police are appealing for witnesses following yesterday’s armed robbery at a city centre jewellers. Investigations are ongoing into the raid at Frederick Street jewellers Laing, but some further details have emerged.

A man entered the jewellers at around 9.30 with a handgun and threatened staff before making off made off with twelve to fifteen high value Rolex watches with a value of up to £100,000.

No members of staff were injured during the armed robbery, but all were shaken during a terrifying ordeal. The shop remained closed all day while investigations continued but is expected to open again this morning.

The man fled from the scene and ran along Rose Street, Rose Street Lane and into Hanover Street. He attempted to hijack a black taxi, then a delivery van without success before making his escape in a private hire saloon car. He forced the driver – who also had a passenger in his vehicle – to take him to the Pilton.

Detective inspector Grant Johnston said: “The suspect was followed by a member of staff from Frederick Street into Rose Street and then into Rose Street Lane where we believe he may have tried to get into a black cab and may have exchanged words with a van driver.

“Following that he got into a private hire taxi that had a fare in the back. He threatened the driver with a gun and he demanded that the driver take him to the north side of Edinburgh where he got out in Pilton Drive North. That’s the last sighting of him, leaving the taxi.”

The armed robber was last seen when he got out of the vehicle in Pilton Drive North on the corner of Royston Mains Crescent.

He is described as male, white, early 30s, 5ft 10inches tall, wearing a dark padded hooded jacket, blue trousers, blue and white scarf and carrying a black and white rucksack.

Anyone who can assist police with their ongoing enquiries is asked to come forward. Detective Sergeant Raymond Gray said: “This robbery left the staff badly shaken but thankfully unhurt.

“We are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen the man, or has information about the crime, so that we can trace him as soon as possible.

“I would ask those with information to contact police immediately on 101.”