Police Scotland has teamed up with a professional mountain biker to offer prevention advice as part of a campaign to reduce the number of bike thefts occurring in Scotland.
Scotty Laughland, who has competed across the world and creates mountain bike content on his social media channels, filmed a series of videos to discuss the impact bike theft had on him personally and professionally.
He was joined by PC Graeme Scott to discuss the security measures the public can take to deter such crimes happening to them.
The 2020 Cycle Scotland Cycle Monitoring report showed that 45% of Scotland have access to a bike. Between April 2022 and March 2023, almost 4,000 bikes a year are reported stolen to Police Scotland.
In May 2022, Scotty himself became a victim of bike theft when his workshop in Stirlingshire was broken into and £50,000 worth of bikes, cycling equipment and tools were stolen from within.
Ahead of the UCI World Championship cycling events that will see thousands of professional cyclists and cycling enthusiasts visit Scotland, from Thursday, 3 August, three videos will be published on Police Scotland’s social media channels over the course of the next three weeks to highlight to the public how they can safeguard their bikes and equipment.
The first video will focus on the break-in that happened to Scotty’s workshop and the consequences this incident had on his ability to work and how he viewed his own security.
The next two videos will feature crime prevention and security advice to help stop members of the public falling victim to bike thefts.
Superintendent Claire Dobson from Police Scotland’s Partnerships, Preventions and Community Wellbeing Division, said: “We know that cycling is a popular form of exercise and transport in Scotland, bikes are also an attractive option for opportunistic criminals looking for an easy target to steal and subsequently profit from.
“We now also see high-value bikes being stolen to order by organised crime groups and it is absolutely essential that we equip the public with all the necessary advice and guidance they need to safeguard their bikes and cycling equipment.
“I am grateful to Scotty Laughland for working alongside us to create these videos and would urge not only Scotland’s communities, but all of those visiting the country for the UCI World Championship cycling events, to view this content and our crime prevention advice to ensure they know how they can best secure their bikes and wherever they are stored.”
Scotty Laughland added: “The impact of bike theft for myself and my family has been far reaching. I would advise anyone to take the advice offered by Police Scotland and ensure your bikes and equipment are secured at home, whilst travelling and during use.”
Police Scotland’s bike theft advice can be viewed by visiting:
Police are appealing for information after a man was found seriously injured yesterday (Tuesday, 11 July). The 30-year-old was found around 2.20pm on Albert Street.
He was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment.
Enquiries have established a group of around six men wearing dark clothing were seen in the area at the time.
Detective Inspector Martin Smith said: “Our enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances and we are appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time to contact officers.
“Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident 1853 of 11 July, 2023.
“Alternatively, details can be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
A 21yo man has been arrested and charged following a fatal crash on Colinton Road, Edinburgh which happened around 11.35pm on Saturday, 30 July, 2022, and involved a car and a pedestrian.
The 35yo male pedestrian was taken to hospital, where he died on Tuesday, 2 August, 2022.
A 23-year-old man has been jailed for nine and a half years, with a further three years extended sentence, for a series of rapes and sexual assaults against five women in Tayside and Edinburgh between 2015 and 2020.
Logan Doig was sentenced yesterday (Monday, 10 July, 2023) at the High Court in Glasgow, having been found guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh last month.
Detective Inspector Gordon Patullo said: “We acknowledge the sentencing of Doig, who will now face the consequences of his deplorable behaviour.
“I hope today’s verdict will allow the victims some form of closure and enable them to move forward in their lives.
“This should also send a clear message to others that any type of sexual or violent abuse will not be tolerated. We treat all reports of sexual crime seriously, with the utmost professionalism and sensitivity, and we will thoroughly investigate in order to bring perpetrators of such crimes to justice.
“Anyone with any concerns or information can report them to police by calling 101 or calling Crimestoppers, where anonymity can be obtained, on 0800 555 111.”
A 43-year-old man has been sentenced to seven years in prison for raping a woman in Edinburgh in August, 2020.
Christopher Pringle was convicted in Edinburgh on Friday, 12 May, 2023 and was sentenced at the High Court yesterday .He has also been placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely.
Detective Chief Inspector George Calder said: “Pringle’s behaviour was despicable, and he will now face the consequences of his actions.
“It is my sincere hope the courage shown in this case will reassure all victims of sexual violence that they can come forward, no matter how much time has passed, and report it to police. Be assured, we will fully investigate, and you will be supported by officers and our partner agencies.
“This case was brought to conclusion by the Divisional Rape Investigation Unit, a specialist unit dedicated to robustly and sensitively investigate cases of this nature, bringing perpetrators to justice and supporting victims and their families.”
Ensure your social media profiles are private, and do not share that you will be away on holidays, as thieves are cyber-aware and may target your property whilst you are away.
Please see the advice above to consider before you head off on your holidays.
Three youths have been charged in relation to recent antisocial behaviour and damage on and around buses and trams in Edinburgh.
A 12-year-old boy and two 13-year-old boys were identified and traced by officers in the South West of the city and have been charged with a number of offences including smashing a bus window, throwing excrement at a member of staff and an offence under the Edinburgh Tram Act 2006.
These incidents took place between 5 February and 15 February in the Westside Plaza and between Edinburgh Park and Balgreen Tram Stops.
Sergeant Scott Walker from Wester Hailes Community Policing Team said: “During the past few weeks we’ve received a number of reports of antisocial behaviour at bus and tram stops as well as damage being caused to buses and trams.
“A dedicated team of officers carried out enquiries to identify those who were responsible, during which they spoke to numerous witnesses and viewed CCTV footage.
“We’re pleased to report that three youths have been charged with five offences, and so far in an effort to prevent an escalation in unacceptable and dangerous behaviour, fifteen other youths have been spoken to in the presence of a parent or carer.
“I’d like to thank the public for their help in these enquiries and continued support, and would also like to reassure the residents of Edinburgh and those who use public transport that we will continue to tackle this kind of behaviour.
“This is a city wide issue that we face and our work continues across the division with similar initiatives. Local Community Policing Teams are working hard to identify those responsible in order to educate them on the potentially dangerous consequences of their actions when targeting public transport.”
Anyone wishing to report a crime should contact officers via 101, or in an emergency and when a crime is in progress, always call 999. Alternatively a report can be made anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
