Police appeal following assault and robbery in Gilmerton

Police are appealing for information following an assault and robbery in Gilmerton.

A 42-year-old man was walking along the cycle path near to Gilmerton Station Road, around 00.30am on Friday, 25 March, when he was approached by two men, assaulted and had his personal items stolen.

He was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and released following treatment. 

The suspects are described as being in their mid-twenties, wearing dark clothing and were on mountain bikes. 

Enquiries are ongoing and officers are appealing for anyone with any information which may assist to get in touch.

They are appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time or who saw anyone matching the descriptions to contact them.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact 101 quoting incident 0142 of 25th March, 2022. Alternatively, information can be passed to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

From one biker to another: a message to motorcyclists and other road users

Ahead of the good weather forecast this weekend and upcoming motorcycle safety campaign, biker and deputy head of road policing Stewart Mackie has a message for road users:

Superintendent Stewart Mackie, deputy head of road policing, said: “Being a biker myself, I know the enjoyment that is gained from being out and about on your bike.

“Scotland has some of the best biking roads in the world. However my colleagues and our road safety partners are working towards Scotland also having the best road safety performance in the world by 2030. We all need to play our part.

“We’ll launch our motorcycle safety campaign next month. This will see education, engagement and enforcement take place across Scotland throughout the spring and summer months. But I wanted to reach out to you now.

“As the good weather comes along, more motorcyclists are taking to the roads to make the most of their weekends. I would urge all bikers to think of the personal consequences of taking risks when biking.


Equally I would remind all road users that the safety of bikers and other vulnerable road user groups depends on each and every one of us.

“Around 90% of all motorcycle casualties are male and almost a third of those killed are aged 40 – 49 years. There has been a marked recent increase in motorcycle ownership and use, particularly those returning to biking after many years.

“Motorcycle riders will always be more vulnerable on the roads than car drivers. More than 85% of all motorcycle casualties happen in rural areas, during the daytime and in good weather.

“Motorcycling is an excellent way to explore the country. I want riders to enjoy their free time out and about, just as I will be doing. More importantly, I want us all to get home safe.”

Market Street assault: Do you recognise this couple?

Police Scotland has released images of a male and female they believe may hold information which might assist in relation to a serious assault which occurred around 11.20pm on Sunday, 12 December, 2021, on Market Street, directly underneath North Bridge.

The male in the images is described as being white, in his mid-30s, around 5ft 9in tall and of medium build with short dark hair. He is wearing a grey/blue padded jacket and a two tone blue hooded jumper, blue jeans and was carrying a plastic orange carrier bag and a cream baseball cap.

The female in the images is described as white, in her mid-30s, around 5ft 5in and of small build. She was wearing a knee length black padded jacket with the hood up and had small-framed glasses.

Detective Constable Gary Lipscombe, from Edinburgh CID, said: “I would urge the male and female, or anyone who has information relating to the male and female, depicted in these images to make contact with the police.

“Members of the public can contact Police Scotland via 101 quoting incident number 3829 of 12 December, 2021. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, if you wish to remain anonymous.”

Police appeal following housebreaking in Oxgangs

Police are appealing for information following a housebreaking in the Oxgangs area. The incident happened between 1.30pm on Tuesday, 22 March, and 7.30pm on Wednesday, 23 March, at a property in Swan Spring Avenue.

Jewellery worth around £7,000, headphones and a black VW T30 highline van, registration number T5 KPE (pictured), were taken.

Detective Sergeant Steven Dick said: “We are keen to speak to anyone who saw anything suspicious at this property and who may have door-bell or dash-cam footage that could help with our enquiries.

“I am also appealing to anyone who may have seen the car being driven to get in touch to help with our investigation to recover it and the rest of the items that have been stolen.”

Anyone who can help is asked to call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 3049 of Wednesday, 23 march, 2022.

Cramond pitbull attack: Eighty year old man arrested

** UPDATE **

An 80-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a six-year-old child being attacked by a dog on Cramond beach which happened around 5pm on Friday, 18 March, 2022.

Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.

Police are appealing for witnesses after a child was bitten by a dog at about 5pm last Friday (18 March 2022) at Cramond Beach.

A 6-year-old girl was walking on Cramond Beach with 3 older teenage family members when a black Pitbull dog wearing a blue and white collar knocked her over and bit her to her face, body and arms.

The girl required medical attention.

The man in charge of the dog is described as white, about 60 years old, 6 feet tall, average build, white beard, wearing a red baseball cap, a long black coat and blue jeans.

Anyone who recognises the description of this man is urged to call 101 quoting reference 2853 of 18 March 2022.

Scotland’s first Road Safety Week launched with safer roads pledge

Scotland’s first Road Safety Week (21st – 27th March 2022) – a new initiative from The Scottish Government and Transport Scotland – was launched today to encourage road users to take greater personal responsibility and work together to make Scotland’s roads safer.

In its inaugural year, Scotland’s Road Safety Week will urge organisations throughout Scotland to pledge their support on social media by posting the message – Working together to make Scotland’s roads safer. #ScotRoadSafetyWeek.

Minister for Transport Jenny Gilruth said: “The Scottish Government is absolutely committed to making Scotland’s roads safer for everyone, and our Road Safety Framework sets out a long-term goal where no-one is killed or seriously-injured on our roads by 2050.

“The launch of Scotland’s first Road Safety Week provides a platform for organisations to work together to improve safety on our roads and help achieve this ambitious goal.”

Organisations across Scotland – including Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, CoSLA and Good Egg Safety will mark the week by hosting a series of road safety events, from child car seat checks to community action campaigns.

Chief Superintendent Louise Blakelock, Head of Road Policing, said: “This week will serve as an important reminder that safety on our roads is a shared responsibility. Police Scotland divisions across the country are getting behind this important new initiative by hosting road safety events with a focus on drink and drug driving, vulnerable road users and older drivers.”

Scotland’s Road Safety Week forms part of the Road Safety Framework to 2030, which sets out a vision for Scotland to have the best road safety performance in the world by 2030, and an ambitious long-term goal where no-one is killed or seriously-injured on our roads by 2050.

Michael McDonnell, Road Safety Scotland Director, said: “Scotland’s Road Safety Week is a great opportunity for organisations to work together and spark a national conversation about making our roads safer.

“Every road user has a part to play by keeping themselves and others safe on the roads. We’d like to encourage organisations across Scotland to get involved this week and join us in pledging their commitment to help make Scotland’s roads safer.”

The Framework has adopted the Safe System approach to road safety, with five pillars interacting to create this: Safe Road Use; Safe Vehicles; Safe Speeds; Safe Roads and Roadsides; and Post-crash Response.

For more details about Scotland’s Road Safety Week, visit:

 https://roadsafety.scot/topics/road-safety-week/

Police: Catalytic converter theft

Police have seen an increase in catalytic converter thefts recently, they can be attractive items to thieves, due to the precious metals they contain (rhodium, platinum, palladium).

Hybrid vehicles are frequently targeted as they have two power sources, therefore the converter is used less frequently and the metals less corroded.

Vans and SUV’s are particularly at risk, as their high clearance makes access to the exhaust system easier.

To reduce the risk of theft:

 Park in a locked garage where possible, alternatively choose a well-lit, populated area ideally with CCTV.

 Avoid parking half on the pavement and half on the road, this will make it easier for thieves to access the converter.

 In car parks, park alongside other vehicles and face the bonnet towards a wall if possible, to make accessing the cat convertor more difficult.

 Vehicles with low clearance could be used to block access to those with high clearance.

 Welding the bolts securing the cat converter may make removal more difficult.

 Consider using forensic property marking kits (Selectamark / Catloc) which help deter theft and identify stolen cat convertors

 Fit a ‘catloc’ (Secured By Design accredited) to prevent removal of a cat convertor.

 Fit a tilt sensor which will activate the car alarm should the vehicle be jacked up.

For more information, please visit the following websites -Police Scotland: http://scotland.police.uk/…/road…/protecting-your-car/

Secured by Design: securedbydesign.comCatloc: catloc.co.ukSelectamark: selectamark.co.uk/security-marking/

If you see anyone acting suspiciously near to your property or vehicles please contact the police immediately with as detailed a description as possible of any person(s) or vehicle(s) involved.

Please call ‘999’ if an emergency and urgent police assistance is required or 101 to report the matter to the police.

Have you seen missing teenagers?

Police are appealing to the public for help to trace two teenagers reported missing from Musselburgh who are believed to have travelled within the East Lothian area together.

Ivana Scott, aged 15, and Noah Holmes, aged 14, were last seen around 4pm on Friday, 11 March, when they left Loretto School in Musselburgh.

They were seen walking along Goose Green Road in the town heading in the direction of Levenhall Links area.

Ivana is described as around 5ft 7in, of slim build with short brown hair and when last seen was wearing black jeans, a grey hoodie and a red beanie hat.

Noah is described as around 5ft 7ins, of slim build with brown hair. He was wearing black trousers and a maroon/purple hoodie when he was last seen.

Inspector Alan King said: “Concerns are growing for Ivana and Noah and we are urging anyone who may have seen them or know where they are to get in touch. In addition, if they see this appeal, please get in touch with us to let us know you are safe and well.

“It is believed they may have travelled to the Port Seton area or elsewhere in East Lothian. Noah is from Edinburgh so they may also have gone there.”

Anyone who can help is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 2558 or 2513 of Friday, 11 March, 2022.

Police: Don’t give motocycle thieves an easy ride

Now that the weather is improving Police are expecting more people to be out and about on their motorbikes. Here are some tips on how to secure your motorbike:

– Ensure your bike is fitted with a combined alarm and immobiliser which will deter thieves when the alarm sounds.

– Attach both a disc lock and U-lock. Do not rely on one device, The more security placed on your bike, the less attractive it is to a thief.

– Try to park under street lights.

– When applying your locks, ensure they are secured to a solid anchor point or a permanent piece of street furniture. Keep the lock off the ground where possible as this makes it difficult for the thief to remove.

– Cover your motorcycle and ensure the cover is attached to the security device.

– Where possible use ‘Thatcham’ or ‘Secure by Design’ approved devices www.securedbydesign.com. These have been tested by the industry and are generally agreed to be some of the most robust security devices available.

– Ensure you always activate the steering lock.

– Avoid leaving your helmet or other possessions on the motorcycle, in luggage space or panniers.

– Be vigilant, ensure that you are not being followed home and check for suspicious items attached to your motorcycle.

Social Media

Think about what you share on any app and regularly review your security settings

– Make sure your posts do not identify your home and make it a target.

Tracking Devices

Tracking devices are an effective covert security measure. Although they may not prevent your motorcycle from being stolen, it will assist police in tracing and recovering the vehicle quickly.

Marking and Identification Systems

Datatag ID – Datatag is a piece of technology which can be attached to various parts of your motorcycle. It comes in different forms, dependent on what is most appropriate and is unique to each individual. For more information on this product, please visit www.datatag.co.uk.