A man has been charged after a quantity of herbal cannabis and plants with a combined street value of more than £28,000 were discovered at a property off Ferry Road yesterday (January 31). More than £2000 in cash was also seized during a search of the flat in West Ferryfield.
The 37-year-old is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today (February 1).
Criminals across the East of Scotland who fund their lifestyles through crime are being targeted in a major new campaign launched yesterday. Lothian and Borders, Central Scotland and Fife Constabulary will work together in the latest phase of the successful ‘Made From Crime?’ initiative.
It is designed to make full use of the Proceeds of Crime Act, specific legislation that allows officers to seize assets that have been purchased through criminal activity, and the campaign asks communities throughout the East of Scotland to report their suspicions via Crimestoppers about those making money illegally through crimes.
People can voice their concerns over the the telephone, online using the secure Crimestoppers website or through specific facebook advertising that is geo-targeted to communities throughout the East of Scotland.
‘Made from Crime?’ is the only POCA (Proceeds of Crime Act) initiative of its kind in Scotland, and has the backing of both the Scottish Government and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill joined Deputy Chief Constable Iain Livingstone, who will oversee the crime portfolio for the upcoming Police Service of Scotland, David Harvie (Director of Operations from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service) and Crimestoppers Chairman Bill Matthews to launch the campaign.
Monday’s launch marks an extension of the previous ‘Made From Crime?’ campaign which ran to huge success across the Lothian and Borders region in 2011 – during that phase of ‘Made from Crime?’ 44 people were arrested and charged in connection with POCA offences, and over £6.4 million of cash and assets were earmarked for seizure from criminals.
The joint working between Central Scotland Police, Fife Constabulary and Lothian and Borders Police comes in advance of the Police Service of Scotland launching on 1st April. These forces will join to form “East Command”, and will share services and resources.
Deputy Chief Constable Iain Livingstone said: “The launch of this campaign today sends out a strong message that the police in Scotland will not tolerate criminals profiting from crime. We know there are people living beyond their means on the proceeds of crime, be it through the purchase of flash cars, designer clothes or expensive jewellery, and that communities are suffering from the side affects of drug dealing, violence and other associated crimes.
” I would assure people who are trapped by those threatening them with violence or retribution, either associates or partners, that we will help them and tackle the violence and criminality they face. We will act on information and bring offenders to justice.
“Criminals don’t care or respect policing boundaries and it’s crucial that where they go, we go. This joined up working between Fife, Lothian and Borders and Central is the first step in stripping away the artificial barriers that force boundaries put up and tackling crime in a leaner, meaner and sharper way.”
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: “‘Made From Crime?’ is a great initiative in the fight against organised crime and I welcome it being expanded across the east of Scotland. There should be no hiding place in our neighbourhoods for those who cash in on crime.
“More than £6.4 million worth of dirty money and assets was earmarked for seizure through the first phase and I look forward to this second phase building on that. The Proceeds of Crime Act in Scotland has allowed over £60 million to be recovered from criminals, and we are investing this money through the CashBack for Communities Programme to put that bad money to good use.
“With Lothian and Borders, Central and Fife joining forces to build on the progress made 12 months ago, the net is closing in on those responsible for crimes that cause serious harm to individuals and communities. With the public’s help, more of those profiting from crime should and will be firmly brought to justice.”
Director of Operations for Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service David Harvie said: “We know that organised criminals are ever more resourceful and we need to be one step ahead of them. To do that, we need to know what is happening on the ground. Law Enforcement and prosecutors can’t do that alone. Our biggest allies in this are the decent, hardworking people who see first hand the devastation that organised crime brings to communities and the profits made by those criminals from the misery of others. We have to make sure, together with one another and with the help of Scotland’s communities, that crime does not pay.”
Bill Matthews, Chairman of Crimestoppers said: “Crimestoppers are delighted to be playing a key role in ‘Made from Crime?’. As the charity celebrates its’ 25th anniversary, we are proud of our unblemished record in support of those who wish to report crime anonymously”.
Police are looking for help to trace a masked thief who made a knifepoint robbery at a shop in Pilton last night (Sunday). The incident happened at about 20:40 at the Day Today shop in Boswall Parkway.
A 23-year-old man was working behind the counter when the thief demanded money, jumped over the counter and stole a plastic box containing a three-figure sum of cash and international telephone cards worth £200.
The thief is white 20 to 30-years-old, between 5ft 2ins and 5ft 5ins tall and of stocky build. He was wearing a black hooded top with the hood up, light-coloured trousers, black Converse-style trainers with a black balaclava covering his face.
Constable Alistair McLeod, of Lothian and Borders Police, said: “This was a frightening experience for everyone within the store and we are conducting local enquiries to identify the suspect. A male matching his description was then seen within a garden in Pilton Avenue at about 21:00 before making off.
“We are now asking anyone who remembers seeing anything suspicious in either Boswall Parkway or Pilton Avenue on Sunday evening to contact police immediately. Similarly, anyone with any other information that can assist with our investigation is also urged to come forward.”
Last night’s incident follows another knifepoint robbery at St Mark’s Park last Friday.
An initiative to promote best practices within pubs and clubs honoured no less than twenty-one Leith hostelries at an event held at the City Chambers last night. The Best Bar None Scheme has operated in Leith for the past two years, and last night’s awards were a showcase of best practice as well as a celebration of Leith’s top bars.
The awards are unique to the licensed trade and involve an accreditation process that sets minimum standards of operation for venues in consultation with the Scottish Business Crime Centre, while promoting the sharing of best practice to ensure high standards of safety.
It encourages the licensed trade to work in partnership with Lothian and Borders Police, the City of Edinburgh Council and Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service, in order to make their premises safer, and reduce alcohol-related crime and irresponsible drinking.
At the ceremony, which is sponsored by Diageo, Heneiken and Molson Coors, 21 premises were presented with Gold, Silver or Bronze awards for their participation and contribution to the scheme.
The Victoria Bar in Leith Walk has been named “Top Bar”, while the Leith Beer Company on The Shore has won the “Top Pub” award.
Both of these venues will now be nominated to go forward for the National Awards.
Councillor Eric Milligan, Convener of the Licensing Board, said: “The Best Bar None scheme has proved to be very popular and I’m delighted that it has proved to be such a success in Leith. It allows licensed premises to provide the best service possible and also reassures the public that they can enjoy a safe and happy night out and experience everything that the area has to offer.”
Lothian and Borders Police Licensing Inspector, Lynne Symington said: “When the public enjoy a night out within Leith they are entiled to do in a safe and secure surrounding. Managers have a responsibility to ensure to do all they can to deter criminal activity and that the terms of their licence are adhered to at all times. The Best Bar None scheme helps us recognise those premsies who work alongside police and other partner agencies to achieve best practice and help keep our communities safe when out socialising.”
The winning pubs and the award they received:
GOLD
Victoria 265 Leith Walk
Boda Bar 229 Leith Walk
Parlour 142 Duke Street
Bond No.9 84 Commercial Street
Sofi’s Bar 63-65 Henderson Street
Leith Beer Company 58 Shore
SILVER
Links Tavern 7 Restalrig Road
Carriers Quarters 42 Bernard Street
Granary 32-34 Shore
Cruz 14 Shore
Teuchter’s Landing 1c Dock Place
Malmaison 1 Tower Place
Foot of the Walk 7a Duke Street
King’s Wark 36 Shore
Malt & Hops 45 Shore
Marksman 13 Duke Street
BRONZE
Middleton’s 69 Easter Road
Four in Hand 218 Easter Road
Central Bar 7-9 Leith Walk
Tamson’s 280 Easter Road
Tam O’Shanter 39 Great Junction Street
Recorded crime is falling in North Edinburgh. Statistics compiled for a community policing event held at Craigroyston High School last night show that overall crime in Forth has fallen by 10% over the first seven months of this year, while in Inverleith the figure is an impressive 31% – a reduction of almost one-third over the same period.
For the year to date in INVERLEITH Ward:
Housebreaking (homes) – down 42% (24 fewer houses broken into)
Housebreaking (businesses) – down 42% (10 less businesses broken into)
Robbery – down 86% (6 fewer victims)
Break-in to cars – down 46% (23 fewer cars)
Vandalism – down 55% (136 fewer victims)
Overall crime down 31%
In FORTH Ward:
Housebreaking (homes) – down 13% (8 fewer homes broken into)
Housebreaking (business) – down 58% (11 fewer businesses broken into)
Break-ins to cars – down 40% (32 lfewer cars)
Vandalism – down 27% (156 fewer victims)
Fire-raising – down 40% (17 fewer dangerous fires).
Overall crime down 10%
Commenting on the figures, Drylaw Police Inspector Mark Rennie said: “These are an excellent set of figures for the area for the first part of the year (April to October). To achieve such significant reductions in vandalism in both the Inverleith and Forth wards is really important – it means less damage, a better environment and an improvement in the behaviour of young people who predominantly commit this type of crime. Vandalism is a crime which always causes a great deal of concern locally, and it often provides a guide as to the overall amount of antisocial behaviour being experienced within communities”.
“To have 292 fewer crimes (156 Forth, 136 Inverleith) in a fairly short period is good news by any measure and gives an indication that the approach taken by the local Police Safer Neighbourhood Team and the Council Community Safety Team produces results. What we have to do now is continue that focus to ensure we maintain the improvements made and seek further reductions.”
The Craigroyston event was one of a series to allow communities in Edinburgh to have their say on how local policing should be delivered in their area. Staffed by police, fire service and council officers the drop-in session gave local residents an opportunity to discuss safety issues and to suggest local priorities ahead of the introduction of the single Police Service of Scotland next April.
Chief Superintendent Malcolm Graham, Commander of the City of Edinburgh Division, said: “We know that the key to policing communities effectively is to listen to local people and then deliver in partnership with them. These consultations are crucial to how we plan and set objectives. I am very much looking forward to hearing the feedback.”
The aim of the consultations is to make the 2013/14 Police Plan more responsive to public opinion and requirements at a ward level, with meetings being held in each of the six different Council neighbourhood areas.
Councillor Michael Bridgman, newly appointed Convenor of the future city Emergency Services Committee, said: “These meetings are a great opportunity for local communities to share their views with the police and council as to what they see as their policing priorities for the future. We would like to hear about the issues that really matter when it comes to delivering a first class police service. I would urge people to come along to any of the planned meetings, have your say and make a real difference.”
Police attended Silverknowes beach this morning following the discovery of a body on the shoreline.
A Police Spokesperson said “I can confirm that a body of a male has been discovered on the beach at Silverknowes. An investigation is underway and we will release more information when we have it available”
One local who was in the area said “It was horrible; the body was on the beach and the police were using a sheet to keep it covered, but you could clearly see what it was.”
The Coastguard assisted Paramedics in recovering the body from the beach to a waiting ambulance.
Lothian and Borders Police are appealing for witnesses after a young girl was hit by car in Groathill Road North at around 12.30 this afternoon.
The five-year-old was involved in a collision with a Renault Clio, which stopped at the scene and the driver is now assisting police with their enquiries. Police and ambulance responded to the scene and the child was taken to the Sick Kids hospital after sustaining injuries to her abdomen, where she is undergoing medical examination to determine the full nature of her injuries.
Officers are urging anyone who witnessed the collision to come forward. Road Policing Sergeant Brian Smith said: “We are still trying to piece together the full circumstances that resulted in this collision and are urging members of the public to assist with our investigation. The area is next to a primary school and there were likely a number of people around who may have seen what happened. Anyone with information that can help with our enquiries is asked to contact police immediately.”
Anyone with any information can contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or the charity Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.
North Edinburgh agencies will join together to launch a season of activities to tackle antisocial behaviour tomorrow. Local police are working with officers from the Fire and Rescue Service, City of Edinburgh Council and other agencies to focus on crime and antisocial behaviour in and around the West Pilton area in response to concerns raised by local residents.
To supplement existing work in the area, a season of co-ordinated crime prevention and environmental improvement activity will begin tomorrow (25 September) and continue into the Autumn.
As well as different council departments, other agencies including the DVLA and Trading Standards will be focusing on the area by co-ordinating their work in conjunction with the local police Safer Neighbourhood Team at Drylaw police station.
A series of activities are planned which will include community led clean-ups, targeting of fly tipping, cycle marking and bike security sessions, joint police / environmental patrols and road safety ‘parksmart’ sessions around primary schools. Free crime prevention surveys will also be offered to victims of housebreaking and hate crime and the police will also be visiting shops and licensed premises to assist them with security and safety advice as winter approaches.
Drop-in surgeries are also planned to allow residents to share their concerns with police and council officers and ensure that resources are focused to where they are needed.
Inspector Mark Rennie from Drylaw police station said: “By being smarter about when and where we use our resources in the area we will be able to have a greater impact on crime and antisocial behaviour over the autumn. We’ve received great support from partner agencies and there is a real willingness to maximise our efforts to tackle the underlying problems which have been reported to us by residents.”
Councillor Cammy Day, Community Safety Leader for Edinburgh, said: “The Capital Coalition is committed to keeping our communities safe. By listening to people and working in partnership with other agencies we can tackle the priority issues and improve the quality of life. I would like to encourage residents to take part in the organised activities aimed at making the area cleaner, greener and safer for all. Take time out to attend one of the many drop in surgeries that are being arranged and tell us what issues are affecting you. This is a great opportunity for our residents to help shape the services that are provided for their benefit. Speak to us about anti-social behaviour, graffiti, dog fouling or anything that you feel will improve life within your community.”
Regular updates on the progress of the operation and ongoing activities will be available on twitter via @LBP_Police and @north_team – and on the NEN blog, of course!
Measures are being introduced which could see first-time drink-drivers in Scotland having their car seized.
Drivers who refuse a breath test for analysis without reasonable excuse could also have their vehicles taken from them.
The measures mark the launch of the annual police crackdown on dangerous drivers over the festive period which took place at the Scottish Parliament on Monday morning.
Last year 7,563 people in Scotland were caught driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, an average of around 20 offenders every day.
Now first-time drink-drivers who provide a sample for analysis which is three times the legal limit or more, and those who refuse a breath test, could have their vehicles taken away for good after conviction.
That would be in addition to receiving a criminal record, a fine and a 12-month driving ban.
The plans come after a forfeiture scheme introduced in 2009 to deal with repeat offenders.
It was extended in summer 2010 to include drug-drivers.
A total of 702 repeat offenders have been caught and 155 vehicles forfeited, with a further 18 vehicles seized pending court decisions.
According to the latest figures, it is estimated that just over one in seven deaths on Scottish roads involve drivers who are over the legal alcohol limit.
A man was punched to the ground and kicked after questioning a group that were drinking in his close.
The 62-year-old went into the common stair in Ferry Road Drive at around 7.30am on Sunday.
He found a group of three men and a woman sat in the close drinking and asked them what they were doing there.
One of the men punched him in the face and the victim fell to the ground before another man started kicking him. The group then left the close.
The victim went to St John’s Hospital where he was treated for a broken jaw and reported the attack to the police on Tuesday.
Lothian and Borders Police are appealing for witnesses as they try and find the men responsible.
The first suspect is described as a white man aged around 20, around 5ft 10in tall and well built with short, fair hair. He was wearing a sweatshirt and grey jogging bottoms at the time of the attack.
The second man is also white and around 20 years old. He is around 5ft 8in tall with a slim build and dark brown or black hair.
A police spokesman said: “This was an unprovoked and vicious assault that resulted in a man suffering a painful and serious facial injury.
“Given the time of day, there may have been a number of people in the streets on their way to work and anyone who remembers seeing anything suspicious in the Ferry Road Drive area on Sunday morning is asked to contact police immediately.
“Similarly, if anyone can assist in identifying those responsible for this attack, they are also asked to get in touch.”
Anyone with any information can contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
