On 25th September, I would like to invite anyone who has been affected by knife crime to come along to the Knife Angel (writes LISA PETRIE).
This will be an opportunity for us to come together, remember those we have lost, and show our support for those who have been injured or affected by knife crime.
If you have lost someone to knife crime, been injured yourself, or know someone whose life has been impacted, please feel welcome to join us.
I would also encourage you to bring a photograph of your loved one, yourself, or someone affected, if you feel comfortable doing so. We will also be lighting candles in remembrance and to honour those whose lives have been changed forever.
Everyone affected by knife crime is welcome.
Let’s come together as a community, remember those we have lost, support those who are still with us, and stand united against knife crime.
The Knife Angel will take centre stage at the Kirkgate at the bottom of Leith Walk in Edinburgh from September 1st to September 30th 2026.
Edinburgh Council, Police Scotland, Places for People Scotland and other partners will be working with schools, businesses and communities to raise awareness of the dangers of carrying knives and the impact of violence.
ALMOST FIFTY KNIFE INCIDENTS IN EDINBURGH SCHOOLS IN FIVE YEARS
Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP for Edinburgh Northern Sanne Dijkstra-Downie MSP has today urged the SNP government to step up efforts to tackle youth knife crime as she revealed that there have been almost 50 such crimes in Edinburgh schools since 2021.
New figures uncovered by the party show that since 2021 there have been:
37 crimes of possession of an article with a blade or point in Edinburgh schools.
10 crimes of these articles being used in some other kind of criminal activity in Edinburgh schools.
Scottish Liberal Democrats previously revealed that the police have recorded almost 700 crimes of possessing an article with a blade or point in schools across Scotland over the last five years.
Sanne Dijkstra-Downie MSP said:“Each one of these crimes will have been hugely distressing for the staff and pupils involved.
“These figures do not sit in isolation, and we need to understand the part played by events like the pandemic, which had a severe and longer-lasting impact on young people.
“That impact hasn’t been helped by the Scottish Government’s failure to recognise the importance of interventions like youth work.
“Youth work can stop this kind of violence from happening in the first place by offering young people valuable support and guidance, often from someone who is neither a parent nor a teacher.
“Scottish Liberal Democrats will fight for a proper investment in youth work so that we can give young people the choices and the futures they deserve.”
A 35-year-old woman from Glenrothes has been sentenced to an order of lifelong restriction and jailed for a minimum of six years for the attempted murder of a child.
Laura Docherty repeatedly administered medication to a child, none of which had been prescribed for them and were not suitable for children. As a result, the child suffered bouts of sickness and was hospitalised on a number of occasions.
These offences occurred over a period of a year from 2022 to 2023.
Concerns were raised by medical staff in February 2023 and an investigation was launched. In May 2023, officers arrested and charged Laura Docherty in connection with attempted murder.
She was found guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh in December, 2025, and sentenced to an order of lifelong restriction with a minimum of six years in prison at the same court today – Monday, 17 August, 2026.
Detective Constable Gemma Warriner said: “This was prolonged and abhorrent abuse of a young child which resulted in numerous stays in hospital. Throughout the investigation, Docherty took no responsibility for her actions and repeatedly blamed others.
“Cases where children are subjected to harm can often be difficult to deal with, however, we are committed to investigating such incidents fully and ensuring those responsible are held accountable.
“I hope today’s sentence brings some comfort to the family.”
If anyone has concerns about the safety or welfare of a child, please contact Police Scotland on 101 or partner agencies. Reporting concerns can help us protect the most vulnerable members of our communities.
A man has been jailed for seven years for the serious sexual assault of a woman in Edinburgh.
Abdul Farid Nabizada, 36, attacked a woman in the Portobello area of Edinburgh on Friday, 12 November, 2021.
He was sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh today Tuesday, 11 August, 2026, after previously being found guilty at the same court on Tuesday, 7 July, 2026.
He has been added to the sex offenders register indefinitely and a non-harassment order was also granted.
Detective Inspector Kirsty McArthur said: “This was a shocking attack on a woman in the city, and Nabizada will now face the consequences of his despicable actions.
“We remain committed to tackling sexual crimes and bringing those responsible to justice. I’d encourage anyone who has been a victim of such crimes to come forward and report it to us.
“We’ll thoroughly investigate and have specially trained officers and partner agencies to support you throughout to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.”
The wife of a motorcyclist killed in a road traffic collision in 2024 has shared her family’s story as part of Police Scotland’s National Motorcycle Safety Campaign 2026.
56-year-old father and grandfather Ian Sloan died when his motorcycle collided with a car on the A719 Waterside to A77 Ayr Road around 3.10pm on Saturday, 15 June, 2024.
His wife, Shirley Sloan, is sharing her family’s story to raise awareness of the importance of road safety and encouraging all road users to remember to take care on Scotland’s roads.
The campaign follows the publication of a joint study published last year with Transport Scotland examining motorcycle fatalities between January 2015 and August 2024.
The study found that 269 people – including 253 riders and 16 passengers – were killed during that period. Despite accounting for less than 1% of traffic, motorcyclists represented 18% of all road fatalities in Scotland.
Shirley Sloan, wife of Ian Sloan, said: “Ian had bikes for all the time that I knew him, it was his love. Any time he was stressed or just not feeling great, he would go out on his bike.
“Hearing the words ‘I’m sorry but your husband was killed in a motorcycle accident’ was dreadful. Losing a loved one, in the manner that we lost Ian, it was so traumatic. You don’t have time to say goodbye, you don’t have time to put plans in place.
“One minute you’re a family of four, making plans for the future, and just in the blink of an eye, the heart of your family is gone.
“It’s left myself and my son and daughter with terrible anxieties as well. It’s like we are waiting for something bad to happen again.”
Inspector Hugh Niccolls, Head of Police Scotland’s Motorcycle Unit, said: “On behalf of Police Scotland, I’d like to thank Shirley Sloan and the Sloan family for taking the time and courage to share their story.
“Shirley’s story is a powerful reminder of the devasting and lasting impact that road collisions can have, not only on those directly involved, but also on the families, friends, and communities affected.
“We know our roads are busier with motorcyclists during the summer months, and so we continue to remind all road users to be mindful of one another.
“As Shirley mentions, road safety is a shared responsibility. Whether you’re riding a motorcycle, driving a car, are cycling or walking, we all have a role to play in keeping each other safe on Scotland’s roads.”
Shirley continues: “My message to all road users, whether you’re on a bike or a car, is ride to the road conditions. Don’t take chances, don’t cut corners and just take another look.
“That extra second to take a second look, even a third look, could make the difference to someone’s life.
“If someone has a collision in a car, there’s a fair chance they’re walking away. But that’s not the same for a biker.”
For more information and guidance on road safety, you can visit Road Safety Scotland at https://roadsafety.scot/.
Police in Edinburgh have launched their annual policing campaign to keep members of the public safe throughout the International Festival and Fringe.
Operation Summer City 2026 will provide a high-visibility police presence within the city-centre between 7 and 31 August, with the Capital’s population expected to double to around one million people during this time.
Local officers from Edinburgh, in particular, the division’s new City Centre Policing Unit, will be supported by colleagues from neighbouring local policing divisions, as well as officers from specialist and national departments, including Road Policing, Intelligence, CID and Public Order.
Police Scotland’s Special Constables will also be deployed throughout the month to support full-time colleagues, while PSYV teams will also undertake various engagement activities and share useful crime prevention and personal safety information with members of the public.
In addition to police undertaking reassurance patrols and responding to any incidents that may arise, a number of Project Servator deployments will take place.
Project Servator is a policing tactic that aims to reassure the public. It targets criminal activity, including terrorism.
Officers utilise a range of resources and also make use of various technology including CCTV cameras and automatic number plate recognition (ANPR). They will speak to people and local businesses to let them know what they are doing, remind them to be vigilant, trust their instincts and report any suspicious or unusual behaviour.
For the duration of the Festival and Fringe Edinburgh Division’s Facebook and X channels will be utilised to provide those who live, work and visit the city centre with useful information on staying safe, as well as giving an update as to the activity officers are involved in.
Superintendent Kathryn Fairfield, Gold Commander for Operation Summer City, said: “The Edinburgh International Festival is the largest festival in the world, given the length of time it runs for, and brings to the city people from all around the globe, all of whom wish to savour the sights, sounds and experiences of the Capital during the summer.
“We’ve been running Operation Summer City for several years now and are fully aware of the demands and challenges this time of year places on the city-centre and as such, we’ll have an appropriate and proportionate policing response in place throughout August to keep people safe and respond to any incidents that may arise.
“The public can assist us with our efforts to maintain safety and reduce criminality by always keeping hold of their belongings and never leaving valuables unattended. Similarly, if you see anything suspicious, please report it immediately so we can respond.
“If you’re enjoying the city’s night-time economy, look out for those in your group. Please also remember that we will utilise our Think Twice bail conditions for anyone charged with an alcohol-related violent offence and this will prevent you from entering a licensed premises during the Festival period until the outcome of court proceedings.
“Don’t let alcohol ruin your summer. Help us keep everyone safe and have a wonderful Festival period. Stay tuned to our social media channels for regular updates and crime prevention advice throughout the month.”
