Police Scotland – Page 6 – The NEN

Police seek witnesses to Pilrig Park stabbing

POLICE are appealing for information after a 25-year-old man was seriously assaulted on Pilrig Street, yesterday (Tuesday, 27 February, 2024).

Around 2.05pm, police were called to the entrance to Pilrig Park. The injured man was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh where is being treated for stab wounds. Hospital staff describe his condition as serious.

Detective Inspector Dougal Begg said: “We would urge anyone who was in the area at the time who witnessed this serious assault take place, or who has any information that may assist our investigation to come forward.

“Enquiries are continuing and officers are gathering and viewing CCTV footage for more information. I would also urge any drivers with dash-cam footage or those with personal footage to contact us as soon as possible.”

Information can be passed to 101 quoting reference number 1698 of 27 February. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.

Pedestrian death: Police seek witnesses to Oxgangs accident

The pedestrian involved in a collision with a bus on Oxgangs Road North, Edinburgh on Friday, 16 February, 2024 has died.

Officers were called to the crash, near the junction with Oxgangs Avenue, around 8.50pm.

The 74-year-old male pedestrian was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh with serious injuries and died on Thursday, 22 February.

He’s been named as Andrew Grant from Edinburgh. Andrew’s family have released the following statement via Police Scotland:

“Devastatingly, and after a week of fighting for his life in the Intensive Care Unit at Edinburgh’s Royal Infirmary, our Dad, Husband, Brother, Uncle, Papa, passed away at 7:03pm last night.

‘We, as a family, have had the most tragic and heartbreaking week, so please live today like it’s your last, because tomorrow may never come. We ask that our privacy is respected.”

Officers are continuing to appeal for information and are particularly keen to trace members of the public who provided assistance before emergency services arrived.

Road Policing Sergeant Louise Birrell said: “Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Mr Grant at this difficult time. We will continue to offer them support as our investigations progress.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has come forward with information so far. There are a number of people we’re still keen to trace who witnessed what happened. Particularly those who provided first aid to Andrew at the scene. It’s believed they were wearing military uniforms. I’d urge them to get in touch with us.

“Anyone who saw what happened or has dashcam footage of the Oxgangs Road North area around the time is asked to contact police.”

Anyone with information should call Police Scotland on 101 quoting reference 3657 of 16 February.

All Change? Chief Constable announces plans for ‘service transformation’

Chief Constable Jo Farrell gave a wide ranging update on how Police Scotland is delivering for the public during a meeting of the Scottish Police Authority Board yesterday (Thursday 22 February).

The Chief outlined the implications of policing’s budget allocation and discussed necessary criminal justice reform and the need to reset the parameters around Police Scotland’s role in responding to mental health incidents.

CC Farrell also shone a light on policing’s response to serious offences and securing important court outcomes; seizing illegal drugs; road traffic enforcement or picking out the unsung proactive community policing and prevention we know the public values.

The Chief also discussed joint work with the Authority to progress a programme of change across policing in Scotland.

CC Farrell said: “Change can be unsettling but we are building Police Scotland from a position of strength and we must clearly explain the changes to the public – and our officers and staff – so they can be confident in their police service.

“I have asked Deputy Chief Constable Jane Connors to lead our programme of change, focused on delivering service transformation at pace, prioritising the frontline, removing back-office duplication, and creating capacity to deal with new and increasing threats.

“The change programme will inform how we shape, train, enable, equip and deploy our greatest asset – that is our workforce, our officers and staff – to best meet the evolving needs and complexities of our diverse communities at best value.

“Our primary investment will always be in police officers. As Chief Constable, entrusted with significant public funding, I have a duty to ensure I maximise the number of experienced officers available to the frontline through the right investment in non-warranted support.

“So we will carefully examine which roles can and should be done by police staff, enabling a wider range of people access to a policing career and allowing even more of our officers to return to frontline and operational policing roles.

“Our aim is – must be – to bring the frontline of Scottish policing to the strongest position possible within the resources available.

“I think that’s my duty as Chief Constable, I think it is what the Authority would expect and demand. Providing the highest possible level of safety and security with the funding available is what the people and communities of Scotland deserve and would expect.”

WATCH the meeting here

Police appeal following serious assault in Hunter Square

Officers are appealing for information following the serious assault of a man in Edinburgh’s city centre.

The incident happened around 3.40pm yesterday (Tuesday, 20 February) at Hunter Square. A 36-year-old man was assaulted. He was taken to hospital for treatment where he remains in a critical condition.

A 46-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with the incident.

Detective Inspector Steven Gray said: “Our enquiries into this incident are ongoing and I would urge anyone who may have information which could help to get in touch.

“I would ask that anyone who witnessed the incident or was in the area around that time to contact us.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact 101 quoting reference 2335 of 20 February, 2024.

Witness appeal following Lanark Road road incident

POLICE are appealing for witnesses following a crash on Lanark Road involving a van and a pedestrian.

The incident happened around 3.55pm yesterday (Monday, 19 February,) near the Water of Leith Visitor Centre.

Emergency services attended and the pedestrian, a 41-year-old man, was taken to hospital for treatment.

The driver, a 55-year-old man, has been charged in connection and a report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal.

Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances and anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 2373 of Monday, 19 February, 2024.

Pedestrian seriously injured in Oxgangs collision

Road policing officers are appealing for information after a pedestrian was struck by a bus in Edinburgh. The incident happened on Oxgangs Road North, near the junction with Oxgangs Avenue, around 8.50pm last night. (Friday 16 February).

The 74-year-old male pedestrian was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment to serious injuries.

No one on the bus was injured.

The road was closed until around 3.25am this morning (Saturday, 17 February) to allow for an investigation at the scene.

Sergeant Grant Hastie, of the Road Policing Unit in Edinburgh, said: “Our enquiries are ongoing and I would urge anyone who may have information to get in touch.

“We would be keen to speak to anyone who was on the bus who hasn’t yet spoken to an officer, or anyone who may have dashcam footage from the area around the time of the collision.

“Anyone who can help is asked to call 101, quoting reference 3657 of 16 February.”

Police appeal following attempted dog robbery in Balerno

KNIFE ATTACK ON DOG WALKER

Detectives in Edinburgh are appealing for information after two men tried to steal a dog from a man before assaulting him in Balerno.

The 43-year-old was walking in a field near to National Cycle Route 75 and Lanark Road West between 5.15pm and 5.30pm on Tuesday, 13 February, 2024. One of the men tried to take the dog and the other assaulted the owner with a knife.

He was later taken by ambulance to Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment.

Officers are keen to trace the two men. The first is described as: white, around 50, stocky build, 5’ 6”, ginger greying beard, wearing a black thermal beanie hat, black puffer jacket and with a local accent.

The second is described as: white, slim build, 5’ 10”, 20-to-30-years old, clean shaven, wearing a hat, a black jacket with green writing, pale blue denim jeans, tan coloured boots.

They made off towards Ravelrig Road and were lost to sight.

Detective Inspector Martin Smith, of Edinburgh CID, said: “This appears to be an attempt to rob the man of his dog, and it is vital that we establish the full circumstances of what happened and trace the men responsible.

“I would like to speak to anyone who was in the area between 5pm and 6pm on Tuesday who saw or heard anything suspicious. Similarly, anyone with private CCTV, doorbell footage or dashcam of the area is urged to review the footage and bring anything significant to our attention.

“Officers will be carrying out additional patrols in the area and anyone with any concerns can approach these officers.”

Anyone with any information can call 101, quoting incident 2591 of Tuesday, 13 February, 2024.

Police meet deaf community at Holyrood event

Edinburgh Division held a ‘Meet the Police’ event today in the Scottish Parliament for the Deaf community and BSL users.

A variety of topics were discussed ranging from the role of the police, hate crime, home security and online safety.

The presentation was delivered by two Police Scotland officers with BSL skills, PS Grant Robertson (E Division), and PC Stephanie Rose (PPCW).

This event allowed members of the community to communicate directly with a police officer. We were very pleased to see a great turn out and some very good questions were put to officers.

A future event will be planned in the coming months, but in the meantime if any member of the Deaf community, or a BSL user needs to contact the police, we can be reached in an emergency using the ‘999 BSL Emergency Video Relay Service for Deaf People’ and for any non-emergencies (101) via the ContactScotlandBSL Video Relay Service.

Further details can be obtained via the links below:

999 BSL: 999bsl.co.uk

Contact Scotland: contactscotland-bsl.org

Murrayburn robbery: Witness appeal

Detectives are appealing for witnesses following an armed robbery which took place in Edinburgh on the evening of Monday, 5 February, 2024.

Around 10.55pm a male delivery driver on a moped was dropping off an order at a property in Murrayburn Gardens.

When he approached the delivery address he noticed a male youth had got onto his moped.

He asked the youth to get off and another male youth appeared and threatened him with what appeared to be a firearm.

The youths took the victim’s phone and moped keys and made off on the vehicle heading along Murrayburn Gardens towards Westside Plaza.

Police were contacted and the moped was recovered two hours later in Morvenside in the Wester Hailes area.

The first suspect is described as a white male, aged 15 to 16 years old, of skinny build and wearing a black balaclava, a black jacket, black joggers, black shoes and black gloves. He had Scottish accent and was softly spoken.

The second suspect is described as a white male, aged 15 to 16 years old, 5ft9, of skinny build and wearing a black balaclava, a black jacket, black joggers, black shoes and black gloves. He also had a Scottish accent and was softly spoken.

Detective Inspector Kevin Tait said: “This was a terrifying experience for the victim and it is vital that we trace the two individuals responsible.

“We are appealing for anyone who was in Murrayburn Gardens or the surrounding area on Monday evening who may have noticed anything suspicious to please get in touch.

“We would also urge anyone with private CCTV or dash-cam footage of two males riding on a moped in the Wester Hailes area to pass this on to officers.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 3790 of Monday, 5 February, 2024. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Security Minister visits visits Cyber and Fraud Centre Scotland

MBE VR MP Tom Tugendhat Minister of Security visited the Cyber and Fraud Centre – Scotland in Edinburgh this week alongside centre partner Police Scotland, to discuss current and next steps to support Scotland’s businesses when it comes to combatting cyber fraud.

As cyber and fraud crime continues to raise major concerns throughout the country, the National Cyber Security Centre announced last week that they strongly urge UK businesses to strengthen their cyber security measures as much as possible.

The Triage Hub aims to bring cyber security partners, including Police Scotland, leading financial institutions and Cyber Fraud Centre – Scotland’s incident response team together to collaborate, share intelligence, disrupt large criminal gang activity, deliver support to victims and recover stolen funds.

Chief Superintendent Conrad Trickett, Police Scotland’s lead for its Policing in a Digital World Programme, said: “The visit by the UK’s Security Minister recognises the important role played by Police Scotland, the Cyber and Fraud Centre and other partners, including our national law enforcement colleagues, in tackling the increase in cybercrime and fraud across the country, not just Scotland.

“The nature of criminality continues to change, and we know criminals will take every opportunity to exploit our communities. Police Scotland is also changing and continues to work in partnership with organisations such as the Cyber and Fraud Centre to advise businesses and the wider community on how to prevent becoming a victim of cybercrime and investigate any reported crimes.

“The recent success of the Cyber and Fraud Triage Hub shows what can be done and underlines the collective commitment to keeping people and businesses safe in the digital world while continuing to disrupt the activities who commit crimes in this environment.”