Tag: Police Scotland

Operation Portaledge: More arrests

A further three men have been arrested in connection with Operation Portaledge, the ongoing investigation into violent incidents in the East and West of the country.

These arrests bring the total so far to 47.

On Monday, 16 June, 2025, officers arrested and charged two men, aged 26 and 20, in connection with the attempted murder of a 54-year-old man on Pitcairn Grove in Edinburgh on Thursday, 22 May.

They were due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Tuesday, 17 June.

A 26-year-old man was arrested in connection with outstanding warrants after officers attended at a property in the Muirhouse Drive area around 6pm on Sunday, 15 June. He was also charged in connection with a wilful fire at a premises in Albert Street in Edinburgh on Thursday, 6 March.

He was due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, 16 June.

Officers from local divisions and a dedicated team of officers from our Specialist Crime Division, continue to carry out extensive enquiries to gather vital evidence and reassure the public with intelligence-led patrols.

Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ferry said: “Further to these arrests, we have also recovered a vehicle and a firearm, both of which are believed to have been used in recent incidents.

“This activity highlights our continued commitment to tackling organised crime and we are following a number of positive lines of enquiry.

“We still require further support from local communities as our investigation progresses. If you know anything that could assist our ongoing investigation, please do the right thing and speak to us.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101 quoting incident number 0562 of Friday, 21 March, 2025. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.

Man jailed for eight years for serious sexual assault in Edinburgh

A man has been jailed for the serious sexual assault of a teenage girl in Edinburgh. Valentin Tica, 24, was sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh on Tuesday, 17 June 2025 to eight years in prison, backdated to November 2023.

He previously pleaded guilty on Tuesday, 20 May, 2025. Tica was also given a non-harassment order for an indefinite period.

Detective Inspector Keith Taylor said: “Tica will now face the consequences of his despicable actions in prison.

“I would like to commend the victim for her strength during the investigation, and I hope today’s sentencing brings some sense of closure.

“We would encourage anyone who has experienced any form of violent or sexual offence, regardless of when it happened, to report it to us.

“We will investigate thoroughly and have specially trained officers and partner agencies who will support you throughout.”

Police Scotland personnel recognised in King’s Birthday Honours

A former Assistant Chief Constable and Chief Human Resources Officer have been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours 2025 for their significant contribution to policing.

Recently retired Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie was awarded the King’s Police Medal (KPM). Chief Officer of Human Resources Nicky Page received an MBE.

Chief Constable Jo Farrell said: “I want to warmly congratulate Gary and Nicky on this well deserved recognition of their outstanding careers in public service, leadership and collaboration across sectors.

“Police officers, staff and volunteers work hard to deliver for our communities and these awards are an opportunity to thank them and celebrate their huge contributions to society.”

Gary Ritchie joined Strathclyde Police in 1991 and retired in April 2025 after 33 years’ police service.

He was appointed as an Assistant Chief Constable in 2019. Gary was instrumental in the roll-out of naloxone to all frontline police officers in 2020, making Police Scotland the first force globally to implement a nationwide roll out of the medication used to reverse the effect of opioids.

He was the Gold commander for the COP26 climate summit held in Glasgow in 2021. Gary was also the Gold Commander during COVID-19, actively engaging with partners across health, social care and government. He played a key role in facilitating information sharing and supporting the Independent Advisory Group to ensure the police response remained aligned with human rights requirements.

Gary had the responsibility to develop innovative approaches, based around the principles of embedding a public health approach to policing and leading public sector wide collaboration, to improve safety and wellbeing and achieve better outcomes for communities. In 2021, he significantly contributed to the creation, development and delivery of Police Scotland’s International Academy.

Gary Ritchie said: “I am both delighted and humbled that I have been awarded the King’s Police Medal. 

“Any personal achievements which have led to me receiving this award have only been made possible by the many people inside and outside the service who have contributed to the successful initiatives, projects and operations that we have undertaken over the years. 

“The award is much more a recognition of their contributions and, at times, wise counsel and advice.  I will be forever grateful and proud of what we achieved together.”

Nicky Page joined Strathclyde Police in 2010 and has provided strategic human resources leadership for over 22,000 people in Police Scotland.

This included playing a key role during the transition period that brought together eight legacy forces to form Police Scotland. She delivered a single national HR function achieving public sector savings of around £200 million annually since 2013.

She led the Staff Pay, Reward and Modernisation Project, aligning pay and conditions across the organisation. This contributed to a reduction in the gender pay gap. Since 2017, Nicky has also volunteered as a Community First Responder with the Scottish Ambulance Service, contributing over 1000 hours of service while balancing the demands of her role and family life.

Nicky Page said: “I am both grateful and surprised to receive this honour. I’m deeply appreciative of the support I have received from my colleagues in policing, the Ambulance Service and fellow responders within the Bathgate Group.

“This honour reflects the shared commitment and teamwork that have made my contribution possible.”

POLICE: Bike Marking Events

BIKE MARKING SESSIONS 🚲

Bring your pedal cycle to the following events to have it marked:

Tuesday 17/06/25 @ 1530-1800hrs

Inverleith Park close to the central junction/crossroads

w3w: ///feared.codes.penny

Friday 27/06/25 @ 1100 -1500hrs

Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre

67B Groathill Road North

Alongside ELREC/Dr. Bike who will be doing their weekly bike repair sessions

Two more arrests in connection with violent incidents in the East and West

Officers investigating the violent incidents in the East and West of the country have made two further arrests, bringing the total to 44.

Following the recovery of a firearm in the Roseburn Path area of Edinburgh on Wednesday, 11 June, 2025, a 25-year-old man was subsequently arrested and charged in connection and was due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today, Friday, 13 June.

Officers also executed warrants this morning at addresses in South Queensferry and Edinburgh.

A 22-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with fire-raising of a vehicle on Peacocktail Close in Edinburgh on Friday, 16 May. He is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, 16 June.

A 21-year-old man has also been reported to the Procurator Fiscal in connection with wilful fire-raisings at two properties in Glasgow and one in Shotts in April.

A dedicated team of officers from our Specialist Crime Division, with support from local divisions across the country, continue to carry out extensive enquiries to gather vital evidence and reassure the public with intelligence-led patrols.

Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ferry said: “Our continued activity and arrests show our commitment to targeting organised crime and bringing those responsible to justice.

“We continue to investigate and follow a number of positive lines of enquiry. The support and response from the public has been excellent, and I am grateful for the assistance given to us and that continued support from local communities is crucial as we progress our enquiries.

“If you know anything that could assist our ongoing investigation, please do the right thing and speak to us.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101 quoting incident number 0562 of Friday, 21 March, 2025. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.

Police appeal: Have you seen Toni?

Police are appealing for the help of the public to trace a 29-year-old woman reported missing from Dalkeith.

Toni McNelis was last seen in the early hours of Thursday, 5 June in the Niddrie area.

She is described as being around 5ft 4in tall, of slim build, with short blonde hair. When last seen, she was wearing dark blue leggings, white trainers, a white flowery tank top and a white/cream cardigan.

Constable Lourens said: “We are concerned for Toni’s welfare and are asking anyone who knows where she might be to come forward.

“Her family and friends are extremely worried and just want to know she is safe and well.

“I would also appeal directly to Toni – if you see this, please get in touch.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 2078 of 6 June.

Firearm recovered on Roseburn Path

Investigation into violent crime incidents continues

POLICE officers carrying out enquiries in the Roseburn Path area of Edinburgh have recovered a firearm.

The weapon was found around 11am yesterday – Wednesday, 11 June – as part of Operation Portaledge, the ongoing investigation into violent incidents in the East and West of the country.

Detective Chief Superintendent David Ferry, Specialist Crime Division, said: “A number of weapons have now been recovered as part of this operation.

“I hope this latest find helps to reassure the community of our continued resolve to target organised crime.

“Extensive enquiries are ongoing and I urge anyone who knows something that could assist with our investigation to please contact to us.

“Anyone with information relating to these incidents should speak to Police Scotland on 101 or make a call anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Lothian Road assault: Police release CCTV images

Police Scotland have released images of a man they believe may be able to assist officers with an ongoing investigation into an assault in Edinburgh which occurred at around 2.05am on Saturday, 26 April, 2025 on Lothian Road.

The man in the images is described as being of South Asian appearance, slim build, 5ft 6in to 5ft 9in tall and aged late teens to early twenties, with short dark hair. He was wearing a dark hooded jacket, dark bottoms and dark trainers.

Detective Constable Christopher Stewart said: “I would urge this man or anyone who recognises him to please make contact with us.

“I would also ask anyone who witnessed the incident, or anyone with information relating to the incident, to please speak to officers via 101, quoting reference 1272 of 27 April 2025.

“Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Have you seen Barbara?

POLICE UPDATE:

Thank you very much for sharing our appeal for 86-year-old Barbara Lamond who was reported missing from Edinburgh.

Barbara has now been traced.

Thank you again.

POLICE are appealing for the help of the public to trace an 86-year-old Barbara Lamond, reported missing from Edinburgh.

Barbara was last seen on Craiglockhart View around 4pm on Saturday, 7 June, 2025.

She is described as white, around 5ft 4ins, of slim build, with short, grey hair. She was wearing dark trousers, a dark padded coat and may be wearing a light pink woolly hat and glasses.

Inspector Alison Lawrie said: “We want to make sure Barbara is safe and well. She is known to use buses and walk around the Oxgangs area.

“Anyone who has seen Barbara or who knows where she might be is asked to contact police as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland on 101, quoting reference number 3150 of Saturday, 7 June, 2025.

Another arrest in central belt organised crime gangs feud

A further arrest has been made as detectives continue to investigate a number of linked incidents in the West and East of Scotland, bringing the total to 42.

Officers executed a warrant at an address in Glasgow on the evening of Thursday, 29 May, 2025.

A 20-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with fire-raising at a house on Drumchapel Road, Glasgow, on Tuesday, 13 May. He appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Friday, 30 May. 

Extensive enquiries remain ongoing and a dedicated team of officers from our Specialist Crime Division, with support from local divisions across the country, continue to work together to gather vital evidence and reassure the public with intelligence-led patrols. 

Over the course of the investigation so far, more than 8,000 homes have been visited and more than 1,600 vehicles have been stopped, as officers continue to gather information.

Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ferry said: “I want to be clear that violence will not be tolerated, and we will not stop until we bring those responsible to justice. 

“We are still following positive lines of enquiry, and this arrest highlights our continued resolve to target organised crime. 

“The support of our communities remains vital, and I want to again express my sincere thanks to the public for their continued help and information so far. 

“If you know anything that could assist our ongoing investigation, please do the right thing and speak to us.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101 quoting incident number 0562 of Friday, 21 March, 2025. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.