Tag: Police Scotland

Poice Scotland confirm closure of Portobello Police Station

LANDMARK BUILDING IS UP FOR SALE

Plans to dispose of Portobello police station following public consultation has been approved and the building will now be marketed for sale.

Police Scotland announced on 14 December 2023 proposals to close police stations across the country as part of their estate transformation strategy.

Public consultation was launched both at a local level and nationally through an online Engagement Hub. The consultation on Portobello opened on 17 January 2024 and closed on 13 March 2024. In total there were 116 respondents.

Portobello has historically been underutilised; operational officers have not been stationed there since October 2016. Community and response officers have been based at Craigmillar police station. The disposal of Portobello would lead to no change in this operational model.

Public counter services can be accessed at Craigmillar police station and St Leonards Police station which are approximately three miles away. Musselburgh police station, in East Lothian also has front office counter provision.

Speaking about the approved disposal, Superintendent Murray Tait said: “Portobello is a very large Victorian building and has continued to incur significant annual running costs and ongoing repairs and maintenance.

“I realise that for many, the physical presence of Portobello police station has provided reassurance and confidence to the local community over the years. However, it’s important to clarify that operational police officers have not been stationed in the building since 2016.

“Community and response officers will continue to actively patrol the Portobello area We are committed to maintaining a strong presence and ensuring the safety of the community.

“Some respondents to the consultation expressed concern about crime during busy summer periods when the town sees greater visitor numbers.

“As part of our policing plan, we have increased police resource throughout the summer in Portobello every year and I would reassure residents this will continue.

“With advances in digital technology and our fleet, officers spend most of their time out in communities dealing with calls and helping the public rather than sitting in police stations.

“Our presence in communities is not defined by buildings but by the officers and staff who work hard to police the area.

“I would like to assure local residents that our officers will continue to be active, visible and accessible. 

“Our officers based at Craigmillar and St Leonards will continue to patrol the east side of the city and the public will receive the same high level of service.”

Copies of the consultation findings have been published on our Engagement Hub.

Missing girl: Have you seen Julia?

POLICE are continuing to appeal for information as to the whereabouts of Julia Gradecka, 14 years old, missing from Dalkeith.

She is described as 5’9 and was last seen to be wearing a brown hooded jumper with a large Adidas logo, black leggings, and white Crocs.

Julia has been missing since Tuesday 13 August and concerns are growing for her.

She is believed to be in the West Lothian area and may have recently visited Livingston. She is also known to frequent Bellshill and Edinburgh.

If you have any information, please call 101 and quote Incident 3818 of 13 August, 2024.

Police seek information following serious assault in Craigentinny

POLICE are appealing for information after a 17-year-old male was seriously assaulted in Edinburgh.

The incident happened around 11.20pm on Friday night (16 August, 2024), when he was attacked by two men with bladed weapons on Craigentinny Road, close to Christiemillar Avenue.

He was taken by ambulance to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment to serious injuries.

The road was closed for a short time while enquiries were carried out.

The suspects are described as wearing black clothing and they ran from the scene onto Loaning Road.

Detective Inspector Dougal Begg said: “A young man suffered serious injuries and we need to trace those responsible as soon as possible.

“If you were in the Craigentinny Road area on Friday evening and saw or heard anything suspicious, or know who these men are, please contact us.”

Those with information can speak to officers by calling 101 and quoting incident number 4590 of 16 August. Alternatively, you can make an anonymous report to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Operation Summer City nets drugs haul

POLICE Summer City officers continue both uniformed and plain clothed patrols, so far reporting 16 individuals for drugs offences.

Yesterday we searched a male in Edinburgh City Centre and recovered over 300 diazepam concealed in two small tubs. He was arrested and reported.

#SummerCity2024

Frederick Street assault: Man charged


A 22-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with a serious assault in Edinburgh on Sunday, 7 July 2024.

The incident took place on Frederick Street, around 3.25am and a 32-year-old man was taken to hospital for treatment.

He is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on a later date.

A report has been sent to the Procurator Fiscal.

Muirhouse Park incident: Man to appear in Court

A 52-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with a serious assault on Muirhouse Park at around 5.20am yesterday morning (Wednesday, 14 August, 2024).

A 43-year-old woman was taken to hospital for treatment.

This is being treated as an isolated incident and there was no wider risk to the public.

The man is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today.

Missing: Have you seen Becca?

Police are appealing for help to trace a 42-year-old woman reported missing from the Liberton area.

Rebecca Clough, known as Becca, was last seen in the Liberton area in the evening of Tuesday, 13 August, 2024.

Becca may be travelling towards the West of the country via car.

Becca is described as white, around 5ft 7in tall, and has shoulder length red/purple hair. She was last seen wearing black cotton tracksuit bottoms and top. She occasionally wears glasses.

Sergeant Craig Darling said: “We are concerned for Becca’s welfare and appeal to anyone who believes they may have seen her to contact the police immediately”.

If anyone has information which may assist us to find Becca please call Police Scotland via 101 quoting incident 0808 of 14 August.

Public Protest: Plans remain in place to keep communities safe

First Minister John Swinney held further talks with Police Scotland yesterday to receive a further update on preparedness should any disorder emerge in Scotland over the weekend.

Throughout the week the First Minister has remained in regular contact with Police Scotland to discuss the ongoing situation and support work to promote community cohesion across the country. 

Earlier this week he brought faith and refugee community leaders together and held talks with leaders of political parties and Police Scotland to unequivocally condemn all forms of violence, prejudice and Islamophobia. 

The First Minister has also written to X, Meta and TikTok to ask what action they are taking to combat the spread of misinformation, and to address racist and hateful material on their platforms.

The First Minister said: “The last few days have been a challenging and worrying time for many with the scenes of violence unfolding in other parts of the United Kingdom.

“I would like to thank Police Scotland for their continued work to protect our communities. Their ongoing engagement across Scotland and enhanced patrols are vital to support community cohesion and ensure public safety.

“We remain vigilant to the potential for disorder in Scotland and I have been reassured by Police Scotland that it has the capability and resources in place to respond should we face similar challenges, and that plans and preparations are in place to ensure everybody is kept safe.

“While officers and staff are doing their part to keep us all safe – there is no place in Scotland for hatred of any kind, and each of us has a responsibility to confront racism and religious prejudice, including islamaphobia, wherever and whenever it appears, and do all we can to strengthen community cohesion.”

Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie said: “Officers right across Scotland continue to provide reassurance to communities across the country through enhanced patrols and direct engagement.

“You may see more officers in our towns and cities and we are closely monitoring the situation to ensure any potential for violence or disorder in Scotland is identified quickly and responded to immediately.”

Missing boy: Have you seen Aiden?

Police are appealing for help to trace a 14-year-old boy who has been reported missing from the Ferniehill area of Edinburgh.

Aiden Webb was last seen around 12.45pm on Tuesday 6th August, 2024.

He is described as white, 5ft6, with short brown hair. He was last seen wearing a black top and black tracksuit bottoms.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We are becoming increasingly concerned for Aiden’s welfare and are appealing to anyone who thinks they may have information regarding his whereabouts to please get in touch.

“We would urge members of the public to keep a look out for him and report any potential sightings to us”.

“Anyone with information can call us on 101, quoting incident number 3995 of Tuesday 6th August, 2024.”