Police Scotland – Page 34 – The NEN

Dangerous driving in Saughton Road North: Witness Appeal

Road Policing officers in Edinburgh are appealing for information and witnesses following an incident of dangerous driving in the Saughton Road North area.

Officers are aware of a video circulating on social media showing a Honda Civic speeding at 82mph and overtaking numerous vehicles into oncoming traffic.

Enquiries so far have established the video was uploaded on Monday, 6 January, 2025.

Enquiries to trace the vehicle and identify the driver are ongoing, and anyone with information is urged to come forward.

Constable Alexander Marshall, from the Edinburgh Road Policing Unit, said: “This was an extremely irresponsible and reckless act, not only to be speeding at over 80mph in a 20mph zone, but to also use a mobile phone filming yourself while doing so.

“Putting the public at risk in such a manner will not be tolerated.”

“We are asking for anyone who may have witnessed the Honda Civic in question, or can help identify the driver, to please contact police on 101, quoting incident 0555 of 14 January, 2025. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, if you wish to remain anonymous.”

Police Scotland: Shed security advice

Break-ins to garden sheds and thefts from gardens are common throughout the country. In fact, many criminals consider this type of crime to be low risk, as they don’t have to force entry to your home. Many people store bikes, power tools and expensive gardening equipment in their sheds making it very attractive to criminals.

The good news is that there is a lot you can do to outsmart garden thieves. A few simple solutions can make all the difference to the security of your garden:

• Make sure the lock is in good working order.

• If there are any windows in the garage/shed, fit a grill, adhesive frosting or put a curtain over the window, so that people cannot see in.

• Secure all the equipment that you can by padlock and chain, make sure it is attached to the building – a ground anchor is preferable.

• Surrounding hedges or trees should be trimmed or cropped so as not to provide cover for thieves.

• Consider installing a garage defender, which secures the door to the ground.

• If there is a door accessing the garage, make sure the locks are good quality and preferably tested to a British Standard.

• Use a good quality closed shackle padlock on your shed door. The hasp should be attached using coach bolts or anti tamper screws rather than basic screws.

• Loop a bike lock through the handles of garden forks, spades, etc. Remember, these can be used as tools to force entry to your house.

• Securitymark your bicycles, lawnmowers, toolboxes and garden furniture, by engraving, painting or using a security marker pen.

• Install security lighting to illuminate your garden.

• Fit a shed alarm. These can be bought from online for around £10.

• Consider topping your fence or wall with a trellis, which will provide an additional barrier and provide support for climbing plants.

• Aggressive plants and shrubs, such as Berberis and Hawthorn can help deter intruders.

If you see anyone acting suspiciously near to your premises please contact the police immediately with as detailed a description as possible of any person or vehicle involved. Please call 999 if an emergency and urgent police assistance is required or 101 to report the matter to the police.

For more advice, check our website –

https://orlo.uk/YWM8T

Three sought after Portobello attack

POLICE are appealing for information after an 18-year-old man was found seriously injured on Bath Street, Portobello at 6.40pm last night (Friday 10 January).

Emergency services attended and he was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where his injuries are described as serious but not thought to be life threatening.

Enquiries are ongoing to identify and trace three men believed to be involved in the incident.

Two are described as tall, of slim build, wearing dark clothing, black balaclavas and riding dark coloured e-bikes.

The third is described as being of stocky build with blonde hair.

Detective Inspector Dougal Begg said: “We are continuing our enquiries to establish the full circumstances and a police presence will remain in the area.

“We believe this was a targeted attack and I would appeal to anyone who was in the area at the time and who may have information which could assist to contact us.

“I would also appeal to anyone with dash-cam or private CCTV footage to get in touch.”

Anyone with information should contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 2687 of Friday, 10 January 2025. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, if you wish to remain anonymous.

Police appeal for information over stolen camper van

POLICE are continuing to appeal for help from the public after a camper van was stolen from an address in East Lothian.

Between 11.30pm and 11.55pm on Monday, 6 January, 2025, a grey Volkswagen T6 Transporter with the registration WX66 VVP was stolen from outside a property on Arthurs Way in Haddington.

The van was later recovered on Goldcrest Place in Cammo on the morning of Wednesday, 8 January.

Detective Constable Jamie Donaldson said: “We are grateful for the assistance we’ve received so far but are still keen to hear from anyone who could have information that could help with our enquiries.

“In particular, we’re asking residents in the Goldcrest Place area to review any dash-cam, CCTV or doorbell footage they might have for anything unusual or suspicious. We’d also like to hear from anyone else in the Edinburgh or Haddington areas who may have relevant footage or information that could assist with our investigation.

“If you think you can help, please call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 1607 of 7 January, 2025. Alternatively, details can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Police Scotland launch recruitment TV and radio adverts in continued drive to recruit more police officers

Police Scotland has launched the second phase of a national advertising campaign with TV, radio and digital advertising to recruit police officers across Scotland.

The campaign encourages potential candidates to consider the transferable skills they can bring to the role of police officer and explains why policing is a job like no other.

The first phase of the national recruitment campaign, which launched in September 2024, featured social media video adverts with real officers telling the story of their journey into the policing.

In November 2024 Police Scotland officer numbers increased to 16,603. Continued recruitment will help the Service to maintain this number.

The latest campaign messaging focuses on the transferable skills prospective candidates can bring to policing with the key message: the skills you need to be a police officer might be the ones you already have.

If you want to learn more about the job of a police officer, visit our jobs webpages, or if you’re ready for a job like no other, apply now.

Have you seen Safdar?

* PERSON FOUND *

POLICE are appealing for assistance to trace Safdar Hanif, 14, who is missing from the Swanston area.

Safdar was last seen in Tryst Park around 8.20pm on Saturday (4 January). His family contacted police when he didn’t return home.

He is Asian, 5ft8, has short black hair, and is wearing a navy blue Nike jacket, and green and grey Nike tracksuit.

Sergeant Louise Gordon, Wester Hailes Police Station, Edinburgh, said: “We would ask anyone who has seen Safdar or knows where he is to contact police.

“Our concern is that despite both police and his family trying to contact him, no one has managed to get a hold of him yet.

“We have been checking CCTV and are liaising with local taxi, bus and train companies in an effort to trace Safdar.

“He may be with friends but the fact that he has not been in touch or heard from is of concern. Although he looks older, he is only 14-years-old and we and his family want him home safe.”

If you have any information as to Safdar’s whereabouts, please call police via 101 and quote incident number 2957 of Saturday, 4 January 2025.

Drumbrae roundabout collision: Woman pedestrian dies

Road policing officers are continuing to appeal for information following a now fatal crash in Edinburgh involving a car and a pedestrian.

The incident happened around 5.45pm on Monday, 30 December, on St John’s Road between the Drumbrae roundabout and Corstorphine Bank Drive.

It involved a black Ford Fiesta and a pedestrian, an 87-year-old woman.

Emergency services attended and the pedestrian was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh where she died yesterday (Friday, 3 January). No one else was injured.

The road was closed for crash investigation work and re-opened around 1am on Tuesday, 31 December.

Sergeant Paul Ewing said: “Our thoughts are with the family of the woman who died and they have asked for privacy at what is a very difficult time for them.

“Our enquiries are continuing to establish the full circumstances and we are keen to speak to anyone who can assist who has not already spoken to officers.

“We are asking road users who were in the area at the time to check their dash-cam to see if they have captured anything that could help with our investigation.

Anyone who can help is asked to call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 2432 of Monday, 30 December, 2024.

Police: Don’t leave your car unattended while de-icing

It can be very tempting to leave your vehicle engine running and unattended while the windows defrost.

Don’t ever leave your car unattended with keys in it, as opportunist thieves could steal it within seconds.

Many insurers will not pay for claims should a vehicle be stolen in this way, even if it is in a driveway.

If the keys are in the car – you should be too!

#DontRiskIt

Police Scotland: Staying safe on the hills and mountains

Planning to shake off the festive cobwebs on Scotland’s hills and mountains?

Be prepared and #ThinkWinter

Day light is limited. Be prepared for darkness with torches.

Check an official mountain forecast before you set out.

Always let someone know where you’re going and when you’ll return.

Don’t rely on your mobile phone and carry a power bank.

Be prepared for winter weather. Carry extra layers and equipment for walking on snow and ice.

Never be afraid to turn back or change plans.

To learn more about navigating and preparing for walks, climbs and hikes in winter, visit our partners at Mountaineering Scotland

https://orlo.uk/cQyKQ

Winter conditions on Scotland’s hills and mountains can bring challenges for even the most experienced hill walkers.

Before you set out, #ThinkWinter

Check an official mountain forecast – not the forecast for the car park.

Prepare for freezing temperatures and dress appropriately. Pack extra layers and equipment for walking in snow and ice.

Bring a map and compass and know how to use them. Don’t rely on your mobile phone for navigation.

Daylight in winter is limited – plan your route and bring a torch.

Ensure your route is keeping with your fitness and experience.

Always let someone know where you’re going and when you’ll be home.

Never be afraid to adapt your plans or turn back.

Visit Scottish Mountain Rescue and Mountaineering Scotland for more advice on preparing for venturing outdoors this winter

https://orlo.uk/EV2a9

Police issue CCTV appeal following Rodney Street incident

DO YOU KNOW THIS MAN?

Police Scotland has released an image of a man who may be able to assist with their enquiries into an incident in Edinburgh which occurred in the early hours of the morning on Saturday, 14 September on Rodney Street.

The man (pictured above) is described as white, aged in his twenties, around 6ft in height with dark hair. He was seen to be wearing a hooded top, reflective trousers and black trainers.

Officers are urging the male or anyone who may recognise him to contact police.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact 101 quoting incident number 1807 of 14 September, 2024.

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.

*** PERSON FOUND ***

* PERSON FOUND *