Police Scotland – Page 54 – The NEN

Charity launched due to increased calls to cyber and fraud helpline

First of its kind charity formed to support people through cyber and fraud crime

A new national charity has been launched to support members of the Scottish public who find themselves victims of a cyber or fraud crime.

The Cyber and Fraud Hub was formed by Cyber and Fraud Centre – Scotland in response to a rapid increase in calls from concerned members of the public to its incident response helpline a collaboration between leading Scottish cybersecurity organisation the Cyber and Fraud Centre – Scotland, Police Scotland and the Scottish Government, which was originally set up to support businesses through a cyberattack.

Last year, calls to the Cyber and Fraud Centre incident response helpline doubled, with

60% of calls coming from concerned members of the public seeking advice following a suspected cyber or fraud crime.

Businesses will continue to be supported through the Cyber and Fraud Centre – Scotland with advice, intelligence and training, while the newly launched Cyber and Fraud Hub will offer tailored support through reporting and legal guidance, victim assistance, and recovering funds as well as improving the public’s understanding of cyber and fraud crime.

The Cyber and Fraud Hub will be the first charity in Scotland to offer this level of bespoke victim and advice support to individuals and will allow a greater number of people to access wraparound support at a time when they are most vulnerable.

The Cyber and Fraud Hub was spearheaded by a dedicated team who gave up their spare time to make the charity a reality. The team includes; Angie Lees, Declan Doyle, John Callagy, Jude McCorry, Alex Dowall and chair, Paul Atkinson.

Jude McCorry, CEO of Cyber and Fraud Centre – Scotland, said: “I recently saw a quote saying “The Fight against fraud is everyone’s problem, but no one’s priority” and we have seen this play out over the last year.

“In launching the Cyber and Fraud Hub, we have now made it our priority, but we need others, including senior figures in financial services and government, to make it their priority too.

“The Cyber and Fraud Hub will meet a vital need for support for individuals who find themselves in the daunting situation of being a victim of a cyber or fraud crime, the impact of which can be immense, mentally and financially.

“We’ve built strong relationships with our colleagues at Police Scotland and the banking sector to support our business community to be more resilient and we wanted to extend this support to the growing number of individuals who find themselves personally compromised as a result of this growing threat.

“Members of the public require a different type of support to get them through a cyberattack, where they are supported as victims of a crime as well as going through formal criminal proceedings.

“The Cyber and Fraud Hub team have the knowledge, skills and expertise to allow them to listen and provide reassurance as well as the tools to get people back on their feet.”

Assistant Chief Constable Andy Freeburn said: “I am delighted to be appointed as a Trustee of the Cyber and Fraud Hub and have seen at first hand the success of collaborative working to combat fraud and keep people safe in the digital world.   

“The Hub will be an invaluable resource and complement the support available from Police Scotland.  It will deliver first-class education and partnership programmes to help communities and individuals build resilience against cybercrime and fraud and offer specialised support to those who have become a victim of cybercrime.”

If you, or someone you know, has been a victim of cyber or fraud crime, you can call the Cyber and Fraud Hub on 0800 1670 623, or visit www.cyberfraudcentre.com.

Have you seen Michael?

POLICE are appealing for the assistance of the public in sharing our appeal and tracing 79-year-old Michael Connolly who is missing from Seton Sands Holiday Park.

Michael, who is from Lochore, was last seen at the park around 6pm last night (Wednesday, 26 June, 2024).

He is described as around 5ft 8ins in height and of slim build with grey hair which is balding and stubble. When he was last seen he was wearing a blue jumper and blue t-shirt with black trousers and walking shoes.

Inspector Kenny McKenzie said: “We are extremely concerned for Michael’s safety and wellbeing.

“Searches and enquiries are ongoing to trace him as soon as possible to ensure that he is safe and well.

“I would urge anyone who has seen him or has any information regarding his whereabouts to contact us as soon as possible on 101 quoting reference number 3275 of 26 June.”

Police appeal for info following Princes Street road accident

POLICE are appealing for information following a crash involving a car and a pedestrian in Edinburgh.

The crash happened around 5.35pm on Friday, 21 June, 2024 on Princes Street.

The pedestrian, an 83-year-old man, was taken to The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment.

Constable Chris Beddows said: “Our enquiries are ongoing and we are now appealing to anyone who witnessed the crash to contact us.

“We also ask motorists with dashcam footage of the area at the time to come forward.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident 2965 of 21 June, 2024.

Multi-million £ Edinburgh fraudster jailed for seven years

A 54-year-old man has been jailed for seven years following a multi-million pound scam in Edinburgh. Aasim Johar was sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh today, Monday, 24 June, 2024.

He was previously found guilty on Friday, 24 May, 2024.

Johar defrauded the University of Edinburgh of over £3.3million between 2005 and 2015 through his role as a salesperson. The fraudulent scheme saw him earn commission through false and over-inflated invoices for cleaning products that were either not delivered or not required.

Detective Sergeant Gary Dalgleish, of the Financial Investigation Unit, said: “The sentence is the result of a long and complex investigation carried out by our officers. We have worked closely with the University and COPFS throughout the investigation and thank them greatly for their assistance.

“We recognise the significant and devastating impact that financial fraud can have on those that fall victim, which makes us all the more determined to identify and prosecute those responsible

“I’d like to take this opportunity to encourage the public to report fraud to us. We are committed to investigating all reports thoroughly and will bring those responsible to justice.”

You can find out more information and advice about fraud on our website here: https://www.scotland.police.uk/advice-and-information/scams-and-frauds/

Improving the planning and regulation of processions

Action to ensure safe and peaceful assembly

New proposals to improve the planning and regulation of public processions and marches are to be introduced to uphold the rights of safe and peaceful assembly.

An Action Group, set up to consider how to better facilitate processions, has set out six recommendations in a newly published report, which have been accepted by the Scottish Government, the local authority group COSLA, and Police Scotland.

The recommendations include:

extending a pilot programme – following successful evaluation in April 2024 – to train stewards and marshalls to build their capacity to plan, prepare and manage processions and other forms of public gathering in a safe way
developing a minimum standard for information provided on the notification process for processions
providing consistent information on local authority websites that ensures transparency and confidentiality
statutory organisations, including local authorities, Police Scotland and the Scottish Government, to work together so information they provide relating to marches is clear and easy to understand
developing or improving training packages for local authority officials and elected members to enable the sharing of good practice to facilitate peaceful public processions and on how to protect human rights
consideration of an annual review mechanism that contributes to the sharing of best practice and learning of the management of processions.

Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown said: “The Scottish Government established the Action Group to ensure that processions are conducted safely and peacefully across the country.

“I am grateful to the members of the group for these carefully considered recommendations, which represent the culmination of extensive work by partners.

“The freedom of peaceful assembly is a cornerstone of a democratic society and it is vital that the right training, planning and regulations are in place so processions run smoothly, while ensuring those attending and surrounding communities are kept safe.

“In accepting the recommendations of the Action Group’s report in full, what is clear is that achieving success must be a joint endeavour. We will work with Police Scotland, COSLA and members of the Group to implement the recommendations as quickly as possible.”

A COSLA spokesperson said: “COSLA has worked collaboratively with the Scottish Government and Police Scotland through the Action Group on Processions, to work through the conclusions and recommendations of the Report for the Short Life Working Group on Facilitating Peaceful Assembles.

“In April, the COSLA Community Wellbeing Board endorsed the recommendations of the Action Group, and COSLA Officers will continue to work with partners of the group to deliver these actions.”

Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie said: “Police Scotland is a rights based organisation.

“We welcome this report as we continue to work with our communities and partners to continually improve our practices and the awareness and visibility of the rights of those who wish to take part in processions.”

Concern over missing man

UPDATE: 72-year-old Gary Hardie missing from Edinburgh has been traced.

POLICE are appealing for the help of the public to trace a 72-year-old man missing from Edinburgh.

Gary Hardie, was last seen in the Mountcastle Loan area at around 6.20pm yesterday (Wednesday, 19 June, 2024).

He is described as being around 5ft 8in in height, of stocky build with white hair. When last seen he was wearing a beige jacket with a light brown leather collar, blue jeans and light brown loafers.

He is known to frequent the Drylaw area.

Inspector Grant McCulloch said: “Gary is vulnerable and concerns are growing for his welfare. Our enquiries are ongoing and I am appealing for anyone who has seen Gary or who has any information on his whereabouts to contact us.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact 101 quoting reference 3505 of 19 June, 2024.

UPDATE: 72-year-old Gary Hardie missing from Edinburgh has been traced.

Police appeal following serious crash in Colinton

Road policing officers are appealing for information after an 83-year-old female pedestrian was seriously injured in a crash in the Colinton area.

The crash involving a red Vauxhall Corsa, happened on Woodhall Road, Edinburgh at the junction with Dreghorn Loan shortly after 3.44pm yesterday (Tuesday, 18 June).

The 47-year-old female driver of the Vauxhall was not injured.

The 83-year-old woman was taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment.

The road was closed to allow for crash investigations to take place.

Enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances and officers are appealing for witnesses.

Road Policing Sergeant Fraser Mitchell said: “Our investigation into this crash is ongoing and I would urge anyone who has information to get in touch.

“We would be keen to speak to anyone who witnessed the crash or saw the red Vauxhall before the crash occurred. If anyone has any dashcam footage from the area, please let us know.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 2168 of 18 June, 2024.

Police appeal following Gracemount shop robbery

POLICE are appealing for information following a robbery at a shop in Gracemount. The incident happened around 9pm last night (Monday 17 June) on Gracemount Drive.

No-one was injured, however a two figure sum of cash was stolen.

The suspect is described as being a man of slim build in his early 20’s. He was wearing a dark blue hooded jacket, tracksuit bottoms, and had a green and white scarf covering his face.

The man was seen running in the direction of Balmwell Avenue.

Detective Sergeant Steven Gray said: “Our enquiries are ongoing and we are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed anything suspicious to contact us.

“We also ask anyone driving in the area at the time with dashcam footage to come forward.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident 3667 of 17 June. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Two arrested and charged following Wester Drylaw drugs raid

Class A drugs with a potential street value of over £37,000 have been recovered in North Edinburgh.

Today – Friday, 14 June, 2024 – police searched a premises under warrant on Wester Drylaw Drive, after intelligence was recieved that the property was involved in the supply of Class A drugs.

A substantial quantity of cocaine was sezied and a six figure sum of cash was also recovered from the property.

A 27-year-old man and a 28-year-old were arrested and charged in connection with drug offences. They were released on an undertaking to appear at court at a later date.

Police Scotland is committed to the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce and the country’s Serious Organised Crime Strategy, and will continue to remove illegal substances from communities.

Anyone with concerns about drugs in their community can contact us via 101, or calling Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Appeal for witnesses following serious crash on the A701 Liberton Road

Road policing officers are appealing for information following a serious crash on the A701 Liberton Road in Edinburgh.

The crash, involving a black Honda CBR 650 motorbike and a blue Skoda Octavia, happened around 12.35pm on Wednesday afternoon (12 June, 2024).

Emergency services attended and the 29-year-old male rider of the motorbike was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment.

The driver and passenger of the car were not injured.

Two pedestrians, a 59-year-old woman and a 61-year-old man who were injured as a result of the incident were also taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.

The road was closed to allow for investigations to be carried out and re-opened around 6.30pm.

Sergeant Birrell said: “Our enquiries are ongoing and I am appealing for anyone who has any information to contact us.

“I would particularly appeal to anyone who was in the area at the time and who witnessed the crash or who has dash cam footage which may assist to get in touch.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact 101 quoting reference 1568 of 12 June, 2024.