Police Scotland – Page 95 – The NEN

Operation Soteria: the story so far

#OperationSoteria, Edinburgh Policing Division’s city wide Operation continues to put the brakes on criminals involved in motorcycle thefts and associated anti-social behaviour.

Over the past week, enquiries have led to the arrest of 5 individuals with significant links to motorcycle crime across Edinburgh. This equates to a weekly total of 42 charges and the recovery of 11 bikes, all as a direct result of our targeted activities.

Since the commencement of #OpSoteria on 20 June 2022, we have made 17 arrests, with a further individual reported for warrant.

This translates to 104 charges all relating to motorcycle theft and antisocial behaviour offences and the recovery of 51 motorcycles, bringing the total value of bikes recovered since June to more than £360,000.

Anyone with information about motorcycle crime or the dangerous use of motorcycles in the capital can speak to officers confidentially and anonymously on 101, or through the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Colinton Road collision: can you help?

Road Policing Officers are appealing for information following a serious road traffic collision in Edinburgh.

Around 10.35pm last night (Saturday, 30 July, 2022), officers received a report a 35-year-old man having been struck by a black Mercedes-Benz A Class car in Colinton Road.

Emergency services attended and the male pedestrian was taken by ambulance to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. Medical staff describe his condition as critical.

The 20-year-old driver of the car was uninjured.

A section of the road was closed for around six hours to allow crash scene investigators to conduct their enquiries.

Sergeant Iain McIntyre said: “We believe the area would have been busy at the time and are keen to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the collision.

“In particular, we are keen to speak to the driver of a black cab, who was either dropping off, or picking up, passengers in Colinton Road at the time on the incident.

“We would also be keen to speak to those passengers as they may have information which could be vital to our enquiries.

“I would ask anyone with dash cam devices to check their footage as it could hold images, which could prove to be significant in our enquiries.”

Anyone with information can call 101, quoting reference 4406 of Saturday, 30 July, 2022, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Spotting Courier Fraud

Courier Fraud scammers will call victims and pretend to be their bank or the police.

They use every trick possible to try and get victims to part with their money, valuables or bank details. Make sure you’re aware of the signs to spot when it comes to #CourierFraud so that you can help protect those you care about.

Learn more and speak up if you think you know anything that could help to stop the criminals responsible

https://bit.ly/3aCSrx3

If you have been the victim of a fraud in Scotland, contact Police 101

Over one hundred vehicles stopped during careless driving campaign

Over one hundred vehicles were stopped as part of a Police Scotland five-week long road policing initiative to combat careless driving.

During Operation Tramline, which was carried out between Tuesday 26, April, to Thursday, 26, May,2022 a total of 78 cars, 44 LGVs and two motorcycles were stopped by officers using an unmarked HGV cab

The HGV cab was deployed on dual carriageways and motorways in Fife, in and around Edinburgh, and in the Forth Valley area.

As a result 138 offences were detected. Of these 58% (80) related to mobile phone offences, 14.5% (20) to seat belt offences, 4.3% (6) to careless or inconsiderate driving and 23.2% (32) to other road traffic offences. (Please note some drivers committed more than one offence)|

These included a 23-year-old woman seen driving in lane two of the M90 Queensferry Crossing eating cereal from a bowl as she drove southbound. She was fined £100 and had three points added to her licence.

On the Edinburgh City bypass a HGV driver was found to be using both hands on his mobile and steering with his forearms, clearly not in control of his vehicle. He received a £200 fine and six penalty points.

On the M90, southbound a 37-year-old woman was given a £100 fine and three penalty points for driving while using her laptop.

Road policing officer Tom Aitken said: “Keeping all road users safe is a top priority for Police Scotland and Operation Tramline was set up to help us to reduce the number of road casualties we see on a day to day basis.

“I cannot emphasize enough that drivers should be in control of their vehicle at all time. Eating your breakfast or using a mobile phone or laptop is clearly a major distraction.

“A split second lapse in concentration could result in a crash which can cause serious injury and even death. I would urge all road users to be aware and to stay safe. Road crashes can cause devastation for all those involved.”

Rapist jailed for twelve years

A 39-year-old man who committed rape and various sexual offences in Edinburgh and East Lothian between 2006 and 2017 has been jailed.

Mark Anderson, who was previously convicted on Wednesday, 29 June, 2022, was sentenced to 12 years in prison at the High Court in Stirling yesterday (Tuesday, 26 July, 2022).

His offences were committed at various addresses, including Edinburgh and two towns in East Lothian.

Detective Inspector Kevin Hughes, the senior investigating officer, said: “Mark Anderson is a dangerous man who carried out rapes and sexual assaults over a number of years and will now face the consequences of his actions in jail.

“I want to commend the victims of his attacks for being brave enough to come forward and I hope that his sentencing brings them some kind of closure.

“I also want to acknowledge the work done by detectives and criminal justice partners to bring Anderson to justice.

“We always take reports of sexual crime seriously and deal with them in a professional and sensitive manner while providing support for those involved.”

Police recruitment campaign

Do you want a job where you make a difference? We’re recruiting police officers across Scotland now!

No two days are the same for our police officers but every day they keep people safe. You can be called to a report of a housebreaking then go to deal with a road crash. After that you might be taking a statement from a domestic abuse victim and then speaking to school pupils about keeping safe online.

Helping people at some of their worst times is at the heart of what we do and it is very rewarding.

Are you ready to join us and be the difference your community needs?

Visit our website to apply today: http://ow.ly/TpNa50JQONW

#BeTheDifference

Have you seen Michael?

Police are appealing for the assistance of the public to help trace 41-year-old Michael Meehan who has been reported missing from Edinburgh.

Michael was last seen around 3.30 pm on Thursday, 21 July, 2022 on Rose Street, Edinburgh.

He is described as white, of slim build, around 6ft tall, with short grey hair, few teeth and has bad sunburn and blisters to his face. He speaks with an Irish accent and was wearing a dark coloured jacket, tracksuit bottoms and trainers although it is thought he may actually be barefoot.

Sergeant Jonathan Wilson, Gayfield Police Station, said: “Since Mr Meehan was reported missing, officers have been checking CCTV and making local enquiries in Edinburgh City Centre and Portobello where he is known to frequent, however, there have been no further sightings of him.

“We are concerned for his health and well-being and would appeal to anyone who has seen him recently or who may have information as to where he is to get in touch with police.”

Information can be passed to officers via 101. Please quote reference number 2159 of Thursday, 21 July, 2022

Police recruitment information session for BME community

THURSDAY 28th JULY from 6 – 9pm at FETTES POLICE STATION

Police are hosting a recruitment event aimed at people from all minority ethnic communities on Thursday 28th July from 6pm – 9pm at Fettes Police Station.

To sign up, please email: recruitmentpositiveactionteam@scotland.police.uk

Local success in battle against motorcycle crime

On Wednesday (20th July), members of Police Scotland’s #OperationSoteria arrested and charged a 14-year-old boy with a number of offences in relation to the robbery of a motorcycle from the Drylaw area on the 19th July 2022 and a number of road traffic offences.

He was remanded in custody to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

Officers from Operation Orbit have also been out and about on patrol with their off-road bikes, assisting #OperationSoteria with tackling motorcycle crime and anti-social behaviour in Edinburgh.

Operaton Orbit improves their ability to prevent and respond to incidents, whilst providing a high visibility patrol and improving engagement with local young people.

Anyone with information about motorcycle crime or the dangerous use of motorcycles in the city can speak to officers confidentially and anonymously on 101, or through the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Another cannabis farm discovered in North Edinburgh

LAST Friday (15th July), officers from the Drylaw Locality Initiative Team executed a warrant on Wardieburn Place East, uncovering a cannabis cultivation with a potential street value of £400,000.

Two men have since been remanded in custody.

This is one of three cultivations uncovered by the Drylaw team over the past three weeks in the North of Edinburgh, totalling the recovery of drugs to a value in excess of three quarters of a million pounds.