Police Scotland – Page 97 – The NEN

Paying the Price: £20 million in crime proceeds to fund community projects

Latest round of Cashback for Communities funding opens

Community projects are set to receive up to £20 million over the next three years to continue supporting young people and communities most affected by crime.

Since the programme began in 2008, Cashback for Communities has taken funds recovered through the Proceeds of Crime Act and provided crucial support to around 1.3 million young people across all local authorities.

Cashback has funded a wide variety of projects over the past 14 years including sports, arts, youth work and employability which provide extensive opportunities to raise the ambition and aspirations of young people.

The latest phase of funding will guide those most at risk of being impacted by crime, to more positive destinations while also helping young people to improve their physical and mental health.

Justice Secretary Keith Brown said: “Young people growing up in Scotland deserve to have an equal chance of success, no matter their background or circumstances and CashBack plays an important role in providing young people with the tools they need to reach their full potential.

“The valuable feedback from young people who have benefitted from the programme helped inform this latest round of funding. Participants reported that improving their mental health and wellbeing was a key priority for them due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, which also links to our Vision for Justice in Scotland.

“This funding of up to £20 million will deliver a range of activities for young people between the ages of 10-25 and boosts the total funding made available to almost £130 million since the Programme began in 2008.”

Applications for Phase 6 funding now open

Cashback for Communities

Easter Road hit and run: man arrested

A 23-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a hit and run incident in Edinburgh.

The incident, which involved a car and a pedestrian happened at around 2.40am yesterday (Sunday, 19 June) in Easter Road.

The 21-year old male pedestrian was taken to The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment for serious injuries.

Detective Sergeant Dougal Begg said : “A young man sustained serious injuries as a result of this incident and I would appeal to anyone who was in the area and witnessed the collision to come forward.

“I would also appeal to anyone who has any dashcam or mobile phone footage that could assist with our investigation.

“Police can be contacted by calling 101 and quoting incident number 0590 of Sunday, 19 June, 2022.”

Investigation launched following disturbance in Leith Street

Detectives are appealing for information after a man was injured in the city centre.

Around 2.50am yesterday (Friday, 17 June), police were called to reports of a disturbance in Leith Street at its junction with Princes Street.

Emergency services attended and a 23-year-old man was taken to hospital.

A 33-year-old man has been arrested in connection with this incident.

Detectives are continuing to review CCTV footage and enquiries carried out so far have established that several other people were in the area. Officers believe other people may also have been targeted.

Detective Sergeant Keith Taylor said: “We can see from CCTV images that other people may have been involved and I am asking these members of the public to contact us.

“I am sure their information will assist in our investigation. If you were in Princes Street at its junction with Leith Street in the early hours of this morning, please get in touch with us. Any small piece of information could prove vital.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 290 of 17 June, 2022. Alternatively, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where you can give your information anonymously.

Police issue appeal for information following serious assault in Gorgie

Police are appealing for information and witnesses following a serious assault in Edinburgh.

Around 1.30pm on Wednesday, 8 June, 2022, a 39-year-old man was on the footpath between Aldi on Gorgie Road and Slateford Green, Edinburgh when he was assaulted by a man with a weapon.

He was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment and later released.

Detective Constable William Doughty, from Corstorphine CID, said: “This incident happened during the day and we are keen to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time and saw what happened or who may be able to provide any information to contact us.

“Anyone with any information is asked to contact 101, quoting number 1658 of Wednesday, 8 June, 2022. Alternatively information can be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.”

Sex offender Charters will be ‘monitored for the rest of his life’

Police Scotland has commented on the sentencing yesterday of Stephen Charters at the High Court in Edinburgh for a series of non-recent sexual offences, including rape.

Charters, 57, was found guilty of the offences against four women in Edinburgh, committed between November 1984 and October 2015, at the High Court in July 2021.

He was sentenced to five years in prison yesterday and given an Order for Lifelong Restriction (OLR) – one of the most unique sentences that can be given for non-murder cases. This means he will be subject to conditions and monitoring for the rest of his life.

Detective Inspector Jonny Wright said: “I would like to commend the victims for coming forward. Despite the passage of time, they were able to give us information which allowed detectives to carry out this investigation. Had it not been for their bravery in coming forward and giving evidence in court, Charters could have gone unpunished.

“Charters denied these crimes, but extensive work carried out by officers and partners, including the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), means that he has now been brought to justice.

“This case is an example of no matter when the incident happened, Police Scotland will always thoroughly investigate and we are here to listen and support victims and have specially trained officers to carry out enquiries.

“We continue to be committed to bringing all perpetrators of sexual abuse to justice and time is no barrier for our enquiries. I would urge anyone who wishes to report sexual crime, regardless of when it happened, to contact us so we can conduct a thorough and professional investigation.”

Serious crash in City Centre: Motorcyclist charged

Police have confirmed that a 33-year-old man has been charged following a serious road crash involving a motorbike and a pedestrian.

The incident took place on Queen Street, at the junction with Frederick Street, around 10.30am on Sunday (5 June, 2022).

The pedestrian, a 13-year-old girl, was taken to hospital for treatment. The man will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal and is expected to appear in court at a later date.

Anyone with further information on the incident should call police on 101, quoting incident 1334 of 5 June 2022.

Appeal following fatal crash on the A1 in East Lothian

Road Policing officers are appealing for information following a fatal road crash on the A1 near to Macmerry, East Lothian. The incident happened shortly after midnight on Sunday, 5 June, 2022, and involved a taxi and a pedestrian.

Emergency services attended and the 28-year-old pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene. His family have been informed. The driver of the car was not injured.

Sergeant Barry Sommerville said: “Our thoughts are very much with the man who died.

“Our enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances and I am appealing for anyone who may have seen anything that could assist us to get in touch.

“I would also appeal to anyone who was in the area around the time and who has a dashcam to check their footage.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact 101 quoting incident 0026 of 5 June, 2022.

Campaign sees more than 300 firearms surrendered to Police Scotland

More than 300 firearms and 80 lots of ammunition have been surrendered to police across Scotland as part of a UK-wide firearms surrender campaign to remove unlicensed weapons from our communities and prevent them being used for criminality.

319 weapons including shotguns, BB guns, air weapons and imitation firearms were handed into police stations between Thursday, 12 May and Sunday, 29 May, 2022.

Assistant Chief Constable Alan Speirs said: “It’s really important that we continue to build on public safety across Scotland by providing opportunities for the safe surrender of weapons like this and by reminding the public to check their licences.”

“Members of the public are reminded that it is against the law to be in possession of an unlicensed firearm, regardless of how you acquire it and are reminded that firearms can be surrendered to the Police at any time”

“If anyone has any doubt, we have specially trained officers across the country who can make unlicensed weapons safe and remove them.”

Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans Keith Brown said: “We are grateful to Police Scotland for this important campaign to encourage those in possession of unneeded or unlicensed firearms or air weapons to safely hand them over.

“Firearm offences remain at historically low levels in Scotland, but by removing more than 300 weapons as well as ammunition this initiative will help keep our communities safe and prevent firearms from falling into the wrong hands.”

Anyone looking for more advice on firearms licensing can visit the Police Scotland website here

Witness appeal following serious assault by white van driver

Police are appealing for information following a serious assault in Princes Street that happened around 1pm on Friday, 20 May, 2022.

A 31-year-old man was on or near the pedestrian crossing when he was punched in the face by the driver of a van at the junction with Hanover Street.

He was treated at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for a serious facial injury.

The driver, who made off in a white van, is described as white, of stocky build, balding with a beard. He was wearing grey work trousers, a blue Nike top and boots.

Police Constable Mihaela Hristova said: “We are keen to speak to anyone who saw what happened or who may have made a note of the registration of the van which the suspect used.

“If you can help please contact us on 101, quoting incident number 1746 of Friday, 20 May, 2022, or make a call anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Assault and motorcle robbery: Police appeal for more information

Police in Edinburgh are appealing for information after a man was assaulted and robbed of his motorcycle. The incident happened around 6pm, on Saturday 28th May on Meuse Lane (between Princes Street and St Andrew Square.)

The 18-year-old man was assaulted by a group of men and had his motorcycle and mobile phone stolen. A 17-year-old male has been arrested and charged – however further enquiries are ongoing.

Detective Constable Melissa Silva said: “Our enquiries into the incident are ongoing and we would be keen to speak to anyone with information.

“We know a number of members of the public were in the area at the time and some may have filmed the incident so we would be particularly keen to speak to any of them.

“Anyone with information can call 101, quoting 2975 of 28th May 2022, or call Crimestoppers anonymously 0n 0800 555 111.”