A 34-year-old man has been jailed for organised crime offences whilst in prison.
Christopher Smith was sentenced at the High Court in Livingston on Thursday (24 October) after pleading guilty to organising the supply of controlled drugs.
Smith’s offences occured at HMP Edinburgh and at addresses across Edinburgh, Inverness and Nairn between March 2018 and November 2019.
He will now spend seven years and five months in prison.
He was also issued with a Serious Crime Prevention Order, which will last for three years, to help prevent him returning to crime when he is released from jail.
Detective Inspector Angus Morrison said: “This conviction and sentencing highlights our ongoing commitment to disrupting the illegal and harmful supply of illegal drugs in our communities.
“I hope it sends a message to those involved in serious and organised crime that you will be caught and you will face the consequences.
“There is no place for this type of criminality in our communities. Such operations underline our commitment to the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce and the country’s Serious Organised Crime Strategy. We will continue to work with partner agencies to tackle this issue and make our communities safer.
“Information from the public is absolutely crucial to our work and we would continue to urge anyone with knowledge or concerns about drugs activity in their area to contact Police Scotland on 101.
“Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
Thieves operate all year round. That’s why this summer Crimestoppers is launching their new seasonal acquisitive crime campaign, ‘Safer Communities’:
We’ll be raising awareness of our anonymous service and sharing prevention advice from our partners Mitie and Neighbourhood Watch to help protect you, your home and car from opportunistic thieves.
As lockdown eases and we leave our homes this summer, we need to protect ourselves and possessions from crime. The pandemic has brought neighbours together, and we don’t want that to stop – you can still be neighbourly by looking out for each other’s homes when you go on holiday.
With your help we’ve helped reunite people with stolen goods, made communities safer and brought people to justice.
Theft
Lockdown easing is likely to result in a rise in interpersonal crimes like snatch-theft and assault, as people go out more in the evening and have a few drinks with friends.
When we’ve all been used to not going out as much as usual, it’s easy to forget to keep an eye on your handbag, wallet, mobile phone or purse – and thieves are always on the lookout for new opportunities.
Domestic burglary may be perceived as a victimless crime; however, 84% of victims feel emotionally affected after a burglary, with 35% feeling vulnerable, resulting in a lack of confidence.
Burglars keep an eye out for empty and unprotected properties and, now that we’re starting to go out more, they are likely to step up their surveillance – but, by speaking up, together we can all help to combat this.
John Hayward-Cripps, CEO of Neighbourhood Watch, said: “Now that we’re all starting to ease out of Covid-19 restrictions, we need to make sure that as well as keeping ourselves safe, we’re keeping our homes and neighbourhoods safe.
“More people out and about means homes will be left unattended, and burglary may rise, which is why we’re supporting Crimestoppers’ Safer Communities campaign.”
Did you know? In the UK, a car is stolen on average every ten minutes, and catalytic converter theft is on the rise.
Catalytic converter theft doesn’t just happen outside residential properties, it can happen in car parks too. Earlier this year OPAL, a national intelligence unit focused on serious organised acquisitive crime, reported a national increase in these types of offences across both locations.
Barrie Millett, Director of Assurance, Security and Business Services, Mitie, said: “Our business crime unit at Mitie is tackling catalytic converter theft for our clients. Last year they saw an increase in this activity between July and October, when lockdown restrictions eased, in line with national trends.
“As Covid restrictions get lifted once more, we urge our customers, clients and staff to stay vigilant, follow prevention advice, and tell Crimestoppers what you know if you have information about the criminals carrying out these crimes.”
Whilst you’re out and about this summer, stay alert and follow Neighbourhood Watch’s simple protection advice – to keep your car locked, lit and empty.
Thieves operate all year round. That’s why this summer Crimestoppers are launching a new seasonal acquisitive crime campaign, ‘Safer Communities’:
We’ll be raising awareness of our anonymous service and sharing prevention advice from our partners Mitie and Neighbourhood Watch to help protect you, your home and car from opportunistic thieves.
As lockdown eases and we leave our homes this summer, we need to protect ourselves and possessions from crime. The pandemic has brought neighbours together, and we don’t want that to stop – you can still be neighbourly by looking out for each other’s homes when you go on holiday.
With your help we’ve helped reunite people with stolen goods, made communities safer and brought people to justice.
THEFT
Lockdown easing is likely to result in a rise in interpersonal crimes like snatch-theft and assault, as people go out more in the evening and have a few drinks with friends.
When we’ve all been used to not going out as much as usual, it’s easy to forget to keep an eye on your handbag, wallet, mobile phone or purse – and thieves are always on the lookout for new opportunities.
Domestic burglary may be perceived as a victimless crime; however, 84% of victims feel emotionally affected after a burglary, with 35% feeling vulnerable, resulting in a lack of confidence.
Burglars keep an eye out for empty and unprotected properties and, now that we’re starting to go out more, they are likely to step up their surveillance – but, by speaking up, together we can all help to combat this.
John Hayward-Cripps, CEO of Neighbourhood Watch, said: “Now that we’re all starting to ease out of Covid-19 restrictions, we need to make sure that as well as keeping ourselves safe, we’re keeping our homes and neighbourhoods safe.
“More people out and about means homes will be left unattended, and burglary may rise, which is why we’re supporting Crimestoppers’ Safer Communities campaign.”
Did you know? In the UK, a car is stolen on average every ten minutes, and catalytic converter theft is on the rise.
Catalytic converter theft doesn’t just happen outside residential properties, it can happen in car parks too. Earlier this year OPAL, a national intelligence unit focused on serious organised acquisitive crime, reported a national increase in these types of offences across both locations.
Barrie Millett, Mitie Director of Assurance, Security and Business Services, said: “Our business crime unit at Mitie is tackling catalytic converter theft for our clients. Last year they saw an increase in this activity between July and October, when lockdown restrictions eased, in line with national trends.
“As Covid restrictions get lifted once more, we urge our customers, clients and staff to stay vigilant, follow prevention advice, and tell Crimestoppers what you know if you have information about the criminals carrying out these crimes.”
Whilst you’re out and about this summer, stay alert and follow Neighbourhood Watch’s simple protection advice – to keep your car locked, lit and empty.
Police in Edinburgh have relaunched Operation Arable in a continuing drive to reduce thefts and attacks by criminals who target personal belongings. As part of the operation three men aged 26, 49 and 55 and a 27-year-old woman were arrested on warrant on Tuesday (20 November).Continue reading Operation Arable re-launched to reduce violent crime
A man has been sent to prison for a number of serious sexual offences committed against teenagers in Edinburgh and Midlothian. Scott Forbes (49) was sentenced to nine years at the High Court of Edinburgh yesterday and registered indefinitely as a sex offender.Continue reading Nine years for sex offender
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Police are appealing for witnesses following an assault on Ferry Road yesterday afternoon. The incident happened at around 2.30pm under the red footbridge near Crew Toll roundabout on Ferry Road.
A 54-year-old man was approached by another man who assaulted him following a brief altercation. The victim suffered facial injuries and was taken to St Johns Hospital, Livingston.
The suspect, who had a Husky-type dog on a lead, is described as white, of medium build and aged around 30 years old. He was wearing a grey jumper, dark grey trousers, dark coloured walking shoes and had a blue jacket tied around his waist.
He was last seen walking off in the direction of Ferry Road Gardens.
Officers are now urging anyone who can assist with their inquiries to come forward. Detective Constable Douglas Mogg said: “This was a brutal and unprovoked attack on a cyclist who was using a marked cycle path and it has left the victim injured and badly shaken.”
“We are keen to hear from anyone who saw a man meeting this description around this time or who can supply this man’s identity and they are asked to contact Police on the 101 number or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
We’ve had our share of problems recently, what with gun crime, armed robberies and acts of violence, but it seems we’re better off than most – Edinburgh has just come third in a survey of the world’s safest cities!
The survey was conducted on behalf of Post Office Travel Insurance, and while the sample size is relatively small Edinburgh sits proudly behind the top two – both of which are cities in England.
The winner has a wealth of history and quaint, narrow streets and closes – and it boasts the glorious mediaeval Minster. It is indeed a great place to visit, and it seems there’s another reason why tourists go there all year round – Britons reckon York (above) is the world’s safest city!
According to those surveyed, Britain is definitely best when it comes to safe travel destinations – Bath, Edinburgh and Brighton make up the top four safest places in the world. Edinburgh was rated by 69 per cent as ‘safe’ and only three per cent thought Edinburgh ‘risky’.
Travellers found Cairo, Bangkok, Istanbul and Marrakech the cities most risky to visit on a short break.
The survey by Post Office Travel Insurance of 2,075 UK adults showed that 72 per cent felt York was safe, compared to only one per cent considering it risky. By contrast, only seven per cent thought Cairo was safe – and more than half -56 per cent – felt it was dangerous to visit.
Britain’s most popular holiday destination is London, but the capital didn’t even make the top ten – 58 per cent see London safe while 16 per cent think it’s a risky place to visit.
Theft – in particular stolen wallets (24 per cent) – was the most common occurrence for those who had had problems in cities. More than a quarter of respondents (26 per cent) felt they had been ripped off on city visits, with this figure rising to 43 per cent among the 18-24 age group.
Of eight UK and Ireland destinations in the survey, the least-safe was Belfast with only 37 per cent deeming it safe.
While four home cities took the top honours in the poll, Venice, Vienna, Dublin, Florence, Stockholm and Copenhagen made up the rest of the world’s top ten safest cities.
Edinburgh city council’s community safety leader Councillor Cammy Day welcomed the findings. He said: “To be rated so highly for safety in not one but two national surveys is a fantastic accolade for the city, and I’m delighted that people feel secure when they holiday here.
“It’s not just visitors either – the most recent People’s Survey found that 91% of our residents feel safe here after dark. I’m really proud of these results and the good work carried out daily by the Council, Police Scotland and communities across the city.
“Tourism is vitally important to Edinburgh with millions of people coming here from around the world each year to enjoy the culture and attractions it has to offer. As well as being renowned as a festivals city, we can also now claim to be classed as one of the safest cities in the world.”
