Police in Edinburgh are appealing for assistance in tracing Kevin Sweeney (33yrs) who has been reported missing from the Leith area of the City.
Kevin was last seen on 7th January 2024 in Pilrig Street, Edinburgh. His current whereabouts are unknown and we are becoming increasingly concerned for him.
Kevin is described as being male, white, 5ft 9 tall, average build with an auburn beard and short fair hair.
If you believe you have seen Kevin or have any information please contact 101 quoting incident no. 1669 of the 19/01/24.
Chief Superintendent Sean Scott will officially retire today (Friday, 26 January), bringing an end to an illustrious 33-year policing career, the last five of which have been served as Divisional Commander for the City of Edinburgh.
Sean began with Lothian and Borders Police in 1990 at the West End and would serve a large part of his career as a detective, both within CID and Public Protection.
When Police Scotland was formed he played a significant role in the development of the Specialist Crime Division, which includes the Major Investigation Team and Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism Units.
Appointed as Divisional Commander for Edinburgh in 2019, Chief Superintendent Scott has overseen a number of major events within the Capital, including the annual International Festival and Fringe, festive policing operations and the Hogmanay Street Party.
In addition, he led on Edinburgh’s response to Operation Unicorn, the death of Her Late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II and the subsequent repatriation of her body to London.
A/Chief Superintendent Emma Croft will take over as Divisional Commander for Edinburgh and begins her new role on Monday, 29 January.
Emma, who has 23 years policing service joins from Operational Support Division, where she most recently served as Silver Commander for the Capital’s Hogmanay Street Party.
Prior to her time in OSD, A/CS Croft worked within a number of uniformed roles in the city, having joined Lothian and Borders Police in 2000.
A/Chief Superintendent Croft said: “It is a real privilege for me to take over as Divisional Commander for Edinburgh, a city that I call home and have spent the bulk of my policing career working in.
“My predecessor, Chief Superintendent Sean Scott, did a terrific job of developing and enhancing the work we do with key partners to best serve the city and to ensure we provide the highest quality of policing to our communities, despite sustained challenges.
“My intention is to ensure we continue to meet the needs of the public and to work alongside all relevant agencies to deliver the most appropriate response whenever it is required.
“’l will shortly start meeting with many officers and staff from across Edinburgh Division and can’t wait to get their input and feedback on what we can do to keep Edinburgh one of the safest places in the UK to live, work and visit.”
MODERN ‘FIT FOR PUPOSE’ FACILITY AT VICTORIA QUAY?
EDINBURGH Northern and Leith MSP Ben Macpherson is urging the Scottish Government to consider siting a new police station in Victoria Quay.
Writing to Justice Secretary Angela Constance yesterday, the local MSP said: “As you are aware, Leith Police Station in my constituency is one of those being considered for closure, as part of Police Scotland’s estate review.
“In terms of the current building in Leith, this is understandable as the current location is within the old Leith Chambers which, while being a remarkable historic building, is not optimal for twentieth century policing or meeting shared aspirations like net zero.
“However, there is a very strong case for retaining a police station in Leith – especially given recent and projected significant population growth in the locality and surrounding areas! This could be realised in the form of a new Leith Police Station within a colocation premises, which would enhance public service provision and make financial sense.
Therefore, I am writing to state that I think Victoria Quay could potentially provide an ideal location for a new Leith Police Station, collocated with other public services.
“The under-utilisation of Victoria Quay is well known and I have previously liaised with the Permanent Secretary about how it could be used going forward, to potentially provide more for Leith and the wider needs of the public and local economy.
“I would be grateful if the Scottish Government and Police Scotland could consider the creation of a new Leith Police Station to be established in Victoria Quay?
“I have copied the this correspondence to the Edinburgh Commander (Police Scotland) and the Permanent Secretary. “
Police Scotland has seized cannabis plants worth a combined total of over £8.5 million since the start of 2024, sending a clear message to criminals that drugs have no place in any of our communities.
In January alone so far, officers have intercepted various quantities of the Class B drug with an estimated street value of £8,624,000.
This month’s activity took place right across Scotland including two seven-figure seizures, with cannabis worth £3.6 million recovered in Greenock and a further quantity worth £2.25 million recovered in Dundee.
There were also significant recoveries in Dumfries, Ayrshire, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Aberdeen, Inverness and Shetland.
Arrests have been made in relation to the majority of the seizures and enquiries are ongoing into the remaining incidents.
Detective Superintendent Craig Willison from Police Scotland’s Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism Unit said: “This year we have already seen some very significant recoveries across the country which demonstrates that no community is safe from the harm caused by illegal drugs.
“Police Scotland remains committed to the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce and the country’s Serious and Organised Crime Strategy, and our officers are determined to protect members of the public from this type of criminality.
“Anyone who brings drugs into our communities for their own illicit gain should be in absolutely no doubt that we will rigorously pursue every means possible to disrupt this activity – we will find you and bring you to justice.
“Information and support from members of the public is vital to our work and I would encourage anyone with concerns about drugs activity in their area to contact Police Scotland on 101. Alternatively you can speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
More drivers are being caught drink or drug driving on Scotland’s roads.
Police Scotland’s annual festive drink and drug driving campaign took place from 1 December 2023 to 2 January 2024.
The number of roadside tests carried out by police officers increased by 21 per cent compared to the previous year.
The proactive work took place across Scotland as officers responded to concerns, carried out targeted patrols and organised road checks.
There were 3,219 breath tests (2,568 in 2022) and 481 drug wipes (481 in 2022). Detected offences also increased, from 722 in 2022 to 831 in 2023.
Chief Superintendent Hilary Sloan, head of Road Policing, said: “We are relentless against drivers who choose to take alcohol or drugs and put the safety of others at risk.
“The Christmas and New Year period brings a focus on this type of offending and the work carried out by officers to deter and detect drink and drug driving will continue throughout the year, alongside our road safety partnerships.
“I would like to thank everyone who did the right thing by contacting Police Scotland to tell us about potential offenders and I would encourage people to keep reporting. Intelligence-led activity is a vital part of what we do and you could save a life.
“The influence people can have on their family and friends who might be considering driving after drinking alcohol or taking drugs can be crucial.
“We all have a responsibility to improve road safety.”
Follow @trafficscotland on X for up-to-date travel information.
Wind
HGV and bus drivers should drive with extreme caution and be aware you may be asked to park at a suitable position by the police.
Drivers of vehicles vulnerable to being blown over should plan their route to avoid exposed areas or consider cancelling your journey until conditions improve.
Cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians should consider the risk of being blown over or into the path of other road users.
Rain / Surface Water
Drive to the conditions. Spray can reduce driver visibility.
Be aware of increased stopping distances. In wet weather, stopping distances will be at least double those required for stopping on dry roads.
Driving through areas of flooding can result in catastrophic damage to your vehicle. It may also result in the road becoming blocked with recovery required and may delay emergency services and road maintenance workers.
A 29-year-old man has been jailed after previously pleading guilty to the murder of a man and the serious assault of a woman in Granton last March.
Sam Atkins (pictured) appeared at the High Court in Glasgow today and was sentenced to 18 years.
Officers were called to a flat in the Granton Crescent area on 25 March, 2023, following a report of a disturbance.
Charles Paul, aged 69, was found with fatal injuries. A 36-year-old woman was found with serious but not life-threatening injuries and taken to hospital for treatment.
Atkins was arrested at the scene and he was charged the following day.
Detective Chief Inspector George Calder said: “We welcome the sentencing and hope that it brings some kind of closure for Charles’s family and friends and that of the woman also.
“These were despicable and callous acts carried out by Atkins, who showed an utter disregard for the life of Charles Paul or for the woman he seriously assaulted.
“I would like to thank all officers involved for their dedication and commitment throughout the investigation as well as those members of the public who assisted with our enquiries.”
POLICE are continuing to appeal for information to help trace missing man Daniel Fraser two weeks since he was last seen in Musselburgh.
Around 1.37am on Sunday, 7 January, the 35-year-old was seen outside The Old Golf Course reception building, Stables Pavilion, near the racecourse in the town.
Extensive enquires, including reviewing CCTV, are ongoing to trace Daniel who is from the Drylaw area.
On the evening of Saturday, 20 January, officers were out and about in Musselburgh asking the public if they have seen Daniel or if they know where he might be.
They were asked to think back in case they remember seeing him in the area two weeks ago, when he was last seen.
He is described as white, around 5ft 8in tall, of slim build with short light brown hair. When last seen he was wearing a grey long-sleeved jumper with a white t-shirt underneath, dark-coloured jeans and black trainers with blue detailing.
Chief Inspector Neil Wilson said: “It has been two weeks since Daniel was last seen and we are becoming increasingly concerned. It is completely out of character for him not to keep in contact with his family and friends and this is a very upsetting time for them.
“Extensive searches and enquiries are continuing to trace him and a team of local officers have been assisted by specialist resources, including the Force helicopter, search teams and police dogs, in our efforts to find Daniel as soon as possible.
“I am appealing to anyone who was in the Musselburgh area, particularly near the Old Golf Course building to think back. Please get in touch if you think you may have seen anyone matching Daniel’s description.
“In addition, if you have private CCTV or dash-cam footage that could assist with our enquiries to find where he went then let us know. Any information, no matter how small, could help our enquiry.
“I urge anyone with information to contact 101 quoting incident number 3723 of 11 January.”
The Met Office has issued an Amber weather warning for wind. As such, there may be a high risk of disruption for road users in the following areas:
Central, Tayside and Fife
Clackmannanshire
Falkirk
Fife
Stirling
South West Scotland, Lothian Borders
Dumfries and Galloway
East Lothian
Midlothian Council
Scottish Borders
West Lothian
Strathclyde
Argyll and Bute
East Ayrshire
East Dunbartonshire
East Renfrewshire
Glasgow
Inverclyde
North Ayrshire
North Lanarkshire
Renfrewshire
South Ayrshire
South Lanarkshire
West Dunbartonshire
The Amber warning is effective from 1800 hrs Sunday 21st January to 0900 hrs Monday 22nd January.
The Met Office has also issued a yellow weather warning for rain. Combined with the win there may be a high risk of disruption for road users in the following areas
Central, Tayside & Fife
Angus
Clackmannanshire
Dundee
Fife
Stirling
Perth and Kinross
Grampian
Aberdeenshire
Moray
Highlands & Eilean Siar
Highland
South West Scotland, Lothian Borders
Dumfries and Galloway
Scottish Borders
Strathclyde
Argyll and Bute
East Ayrshire
East Dunbartonshire
Inverclyde
North Lanarkshire
Renfrewshire
South Lanarkshire
West Dunbartonshire
The yellow warning is effective from 1200 hrs Sunday 21st January to 0600 hrs Monday 22nd January.
General advice for road users:
Plan ahead and avoid unnecessary travel
All road users should consider if they really need to travel during adverse weather
Consider delaying travel until conditions improve
If you are travelling on the roads, prepare yourself and your vehicle for the conditions
Ensure your mobile phone is charged and plan your journey, including an alternative route
Have sufficient fuel, warm clothing, food and water in case you’re delayed
Do not ignore road closure signs – they are for your safety
Congestion caused by vehicles may restrict emergency services and recovery vehicles from providing essential assistance
Follow @policescotland and @trafficscotland on Twitter for up-to-date travel information.
Wind:
HGV and bus drivers should drive with extreme caution and be aware you may be asked to park at a suitable position by the police.
Drivers of vehicles vulnerable to being blown over should plan their route to avoid exposed areas or consider cancelling your journey until conditions improve.
Cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians should consider the risk of being blown over or into the path of other road users.
Rain:
Drive to the conditions. Spray can reduce driver visibility.
Be aware of increased stopping distances. In wet weather, stopping distances will be at least double those required for stopping on dry roads.
Driving through areas of flooding can result in catastrophic damage to your vehicle. It may also result in the road becoming blocked with recovery required and may delay emergency services and road maintenance workers.
Be suspicious of any ‘too good to be true’ offers or prices
