Tag: Police Scotland

Police appeal following attempted robbery in city centre

Police are appealing for information following an attempted robbery in the city centre. The incident happened around 4.15pm on Saturday, 3 December, on Mound Place.

A 44-year-old man was on his KTM motorbike travelling on Mound Place towards Princes Street stopped in traffic next to a stationary Lothian Bus when he was knocked off by a man.

The suspect tried to take the motorbike but an unknown member of the public came to the aid of the motorcyclist. The suspect then made off with three other males who had come from the direction of the galleries on the Mound.

The motorcyclist was not injured. Officers are keen to trace the suspects, the member of the public who helped at the scene, and anyone either on the bus or passing by who may have seen what happened.

The first suspect, who attempted to steal the motorbike, is described as aged around 16 to 20, around 5ft 9ins and of slim build. He was wearing a black and grey Nike hoodie, dark grey joggers, black Nike trainers and a black balaclava.

The second suspect is also described as aged 16 to 20, around 5ft 7ins, and of slim build. He was wearing similar clothes to the first suspect with white trainers and a balaclava.

The third suspect is described as around 10-years-old, around 5ft and of slim build with blonde, mousey brown hair. He was wearing a light grey track suit.

The fourth suspect is described as 16 to 20-years-old, around 5ft 9ins and stockier than the others. He was wearing a red and blue puffer style jacket, light grey joggers and no socks.

Detective Inspector Kevin Tait said: “Fortunately no one was injured but this was a dangerous and foolhardy act in busy traffic in an area at a time of day when a lot of people were around.

“We are keen to trace the member of the public who helped the motorcyclist as they are likely to have vital information that could assist with our investigation.

“We are asking anyone in the area at the time which was busy with people shopping, travelling and going to the Christmas market to get in touch if they saw what happened or saw the suspects before or after the incident.

“Likewise, anyone who was on the stationary bus who can help is also asked to contact us.”

Anyone who can help should contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 2424 of Saturday, 3 December, 2022, or make a call anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Drylaw housebreaker appears in court

On Wednesday, 30 November, officers from Musselburgh and Edinburgh carried out a pre-planned operation in the Drylaw area of Edinburgh, resulting in the arrest of a 16-year-old male youth.

He was charged with a number of offences, including a series of housebreakings, theft of motor vehicles and drug offences.

The offences took place across East Lothian, West Lothian, Edinburgh and Falkirk areas between September and November 2022.

He was due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday (Thursday, 1 December).

Detective Inspector Laura White, Lothian and Scottish Borders CID, said “You may be aware of appeals we have issued locally over the past few weeks about housebreakings and thefts of high-performance vehicles.

“We are grateful for the support we have had from members of the public that has assisted us in our investigations. Housebreaking is a particularly upsetting crime for the families involved, and the subsequent misuse of the stolen vehicles on our roads places us in danger.

“We are committed to working together to identify those responsible and bring them to justice as part of our ongoing commitment to tackling acquisitive crime.”

If anyone wishes to report any suspicious activity in the local community to Police, please contact us via 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Seven youths charged following fireworks offences in Oxgangs

Seven youths aged between 13 and 16 years have been charged in connection with offences including breach of the peace, shoplifting, assault and theft following a disturbance at a shop in Oxgangs Road, Edinburgh on Saturday, 5 November, 2022.

A report will be sent to the relevant authorities.

Chief Inspector Neil Wilson said: “Our investigation into incidents of disorder on Bonfire Night is ongoing. Officers are continuing to carry out extensive enquiries, including a wide-ranging review of CCTV footage from throughout the city, to identify those involved and ensure that they are brought to justice.

“I would appeal to anyone with information that may assist our enquiries to contact officers through 101. Alternatively Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.”

Appeal for information following serious assault in Sighthill

Police are appealing for information in connection with a serious assault which took place in the Sighthill area on Saturday (26 November, 2022).

Officers received a report that a 23-year-old woman was assaulted on the Calder Road flyover of the City of Edinburgh bypass at around 8pm.

Detective Inspector Barry McDaid said: “Despite the late hour this area was busy with traffic and is well-lit. It is likely someone will have seen this incident or may have captured it on a dashcam.

“I urge people to contact us with any information they believe may assist our investigation by calling 101, quoting reference number 3265 of Saturday, 26 November 2022. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be called anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Police appeal for information following fatal crash

POLICE are appealing for information following a fatal road crash on the A7 between Galashiels and Selkirk.

The crash happened around 3.25pm on Saturday, 26 November, 2022 at the junction with the B7060 and involved a blue Ford Fiesta and a silver Honda Jazz.

A 90-year-old man and a 79-year-old woman were pronounced dead at the scene.

The road was closed for crash investigation and reopened around 6.25pm.

Sergeant Iain McIntyre said: “Our thoughts are with the families of the man and woman who died and our enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.

“We are asking anyone who witnessed the crash to get in touch. Anyone with dash-cam footage that could assist with our investigation is also asked to contact us.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident 2079 of Saturday, 26 November, 2022.

Appeal for information following serious crash on Calder Road

Road Policing officers in Edinburgh are appealing for information following a serious crash involving a pedestrian, which took place on Calder Road.

The incident happened around 7.35am this morning (Thursday, 24 November) involving a white Ford Transit van and a 19-year-old woman.

The woman was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh with serious, but not life-threatening injuries. The male driver of the van was uninjured.

The road was closed until around 11.45am as an investigation was carried out. Further enquiries into the incident remain ongoing and officers are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

Sergeant Jill Kirkpatrick, from the Edinburgh Road Policing Team, said: “If you witnessed this incident, have any potential dashcam footage, or were in the area and have any information which may assist our enquiries, please call police on 101, quoting incident 0489 of 24 November, 2022.”

Have you seen Martin?

Missing person – Martin Moran, Balerno

POLICE are appealing for the help of the public to trace a 26-year-old man reported missing from Balerno.

Martin Moran was last seen around 6am on Friday, 18 November, near Larch Grove House in Balerno and it is believed he has walked in the direction of Bridge Road, Balerno.

He is described as white, around 6ft, of slim build, with short fair hair. When last seen he was wearing a beige trench coat, black trousers, black shoes and a black hat.

Sergeant Gary Stout said: “Martin’s family are growing increasingly concerned for his welfare and I am asking anyone who may have seen him or knows where he is to get in touch.

“If you can help please call us on 101, quoting reference number 1479 of Friday, 18 November, 2022.”

Appeal for info after pedestrian struck by taxi in Hanover Street

POLICE are appealing for information after a male pedestrian was struck by a black Peugeot private taxi on Hanover St, near Princes Street, at around 2.25 am this morning (Thursday 17 November 2022).

Sergeant Ross Drummond, Road Policing Unit, Edinburgh, said: “There were four male passengers in the taxi at the time of the crash.

“Unfortunately, they’d left prior to the arrival of police so we are keen to speak to them and the occupants of a white van travelling behind the taxi as they could have information that may assist our inquiry.

“Any information can be passed to officers via 101. Please quote reference number 0248 of Thursday, 17 November 2022.”

Info to officers via 101 quoting ref no 0248/17/11.

Joint working to reduce violence against workers under the National Assault Pledge

Emergency services, prosecutors and health colleagues are among those supporting a National Assault Pledge underlining a joint commitment to reduce violence and abuse against workers.

The National Assault Pledge builds upon Chief Constable Sir Iain Livingstone’s Assault Pledge, developed in response to a concerning increase in violence and abuse against Police Scotland officers and staff. The Chief Constable’s Assault Pledge was published in August 2020 with the support of the then Lord Advocate and Cabinet Secretary for Justice.

Since then, local pledges have been developed by services in Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway.

The national partnership group includes British Transport Police, NHS Scotland, Scottish Prison Service, Scottish Ambulance Service and others. The group will share best practice, develop preventative measures and use consistent messaging in their workplace to support and encourage staff to report incidents.

The National Assault Pledge was agreed by signatories at an event at Police Scotland Headquarters, Tulliallan, on Tuesday, 15 November.

Deputy Chief Constable Fiona Taylor QPM has been leading Police Scotland’s drive to reduce the impact violence and abuse has on officers and staff and introduce measures to improve their safety.

DCC Taylor said: “Being the victim of an assault can have a long lasting impact both physically and mentally. It’s not simply part of the job.

“Working in partnership with a number of key organisations highlights our collective approach and united pledge to reduce assaults at work.

“I want our officers and staff to feel supported and this partnership adds to work already ongoing in this area.”

Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC said: “Assaults on front line workers will not be tolerated and Scotland’s prosecutors will help protect their safety through robust action.

“The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service work closely with police to ensure the effective investigation and prosecution of crime.

“Any criminal behaviour that threatens public safety and the safety of front line workers will be taken very seriously.”

In 2021/22, there were 7,858 common assaults against emergency workers – an increase of 12 per cent compared to the previous year. Over 7,000 of these were against police officers and staff.

Improved operational safety training, a Taser uplift programme and partnership with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service to introduce impact statements are some of the work that has been driven within Police Scotland to support officer and staff safety.

Four jailed for human trafficking

Four people were jailed for trafficking offences at the High Court in Glasgow yesterday.

Jagpal Singh (52) was sentenced to 10 years, Donglin Zhang (48) was sentenced to 8 years, Vlassis Ntaoulias (33) was sentenced to 7 years and Boonsong Wannas (62) was sentenced to six years and four months.

All four were previously convicted of human trafficking and brothel keeping offences.

Detective Superintendent Donna Duffy, in charge of Glasgow’s Human Trafficking Unit said: “I welcome the sentencing today. Human trafficking is a despicable crime that has an unmeasurable long term impact on its victims.

“We are committed to working alongside partners to tackle human trafficking and we will work to identify those responsible and protect their victims.

“I would like to thank all our partners including Home Office Immigration Enforcement Criminal and Financial Investigations.

“I would continue to encourage members of the community to contact us if they have any concerns as they are vital to helping us identify those involved.”