Last month a theft took place at an address in Afton Terrace during which the homeowner disturbed a male intruder in his house.
Following extensive enquiries police traced and interviewed a man who was subsequently charged with a number of offences including serious assault. He is due to appear at court today.
Partnership approach crackdown on stolen goods sales
Police in Edinburgh have launched ‘Tradewatch’, a partnership campaign with the city’s second-hand retailers to help tackle thieves’ attempts to sell on stolen goods.
As part of the new scheme, all stores in the Capital have committed to sharing information in relation to individuals attempting to sell on stolen goods.
A process has been agreed between the management from each business to alert one another as soon as anyone attempts to sell any tems, which are suspected of being stolen.
Police will also be contacted and will progress any information received to identify offenders and seize the stolen property.
Tradewatch was developed as a result of the continued engagement and dialogue between second-hand retailers and Edinburgh Division’s Search and Recovery Team.
To further assist the stores, each will be provided with a SmartWater Technology Ltd UV lamp, which can be used to examine any goods brought into the store and establish whether they have been stolen.
Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Houston said: “Those responsible for acquisitive crime will often attempt to sell on stolen goods for profit and regularly attempt to utilise second-hand retailers to dispose of valuable items.
“However, we have an excellent and long-standing relationship with these businesses in Edinburgh and staff regularly assist our Search and Recovery Team in reuniting stolen property with its rightful owner as well as helping us identify those responsible for the thefts.
“With the launch of ‘Tradewatch’, these premises will instantly and readily share information on any suspicious customers so that items that have been acquired illegally are not bought and sold within their stores.
“I would like to thank our second-hand retailer partners for their assistance and co-operation in helping to create this campaign.”
Chief Inspector Richard Horan said: “Tackling housebreaking and robbery is a priority across the city and the ‘Tradewatch’ initiative is yet another tool in our armoury to bring those responsible for these crimes to justice.
“We continue to target and pursue those who steal through ongoing enforcement activity and partnership campaigns. The public also play a vital role in assisting us prevent these crimes, and making life difficult for criminals, by taking simple steps to safeguard their belongings.
“I would urge members of our communities to ensure their homes are always appropriately secured and that any items of value are stored safely out of public view. Details of the type of valuables within your property should never be disclosed to anyone you do not know or trust.
“Please remember that sheds, garages and other outbuilding are extensions of your home and should also be secured at all times.
“Our partnership with SmartWater Technology Ltd continues within the Capital and hundreds of homes have been issued with the unique chemical solutions to mark their property. However, additional home security measures such as alarms and motion-activated lighting should also be considered where possible. Your local community policing teams will be delighted to offer free crime prevention advice.”
David Patrick, CEO of Cash Converters UK, the UK’s largest second-hand retailer, said: “We’re delighted to be working with the police and a part of the new Tradewatch scheme as we are committed to tackling the issue of stolen goods in our stores.
“We have a zero tolerance policy towards stolen goods and a number of processes in place to deter criminals.
Anyone looking to sell an item to Cash Converters must present two forms of ID along with proof of address as per regulations set out by the Financial Conduct Authority. In addition they have to be photographed and sign an agreement confirming they are the legal owner of the goods.
We have a strong working relationship with Edinburgh Police and, as part of the Tradewatch scheme, are committed to sharing information with other businesses to help prevent crime and put a stop to stolen goods coming through our doors.”
It may be the season of goodwill, but Police Scotland would like to remind the public that not everyone has goodness in their heart …
Over recent months, there has been an increase in adverts on social media selling sites advertising high price mobile phones.
This scheme requires the victim to forward their mobile phone and a sum of money, in return a new high value mobile phone will be dispatched to you.
The truth is that no mobile phone arrives and you have lost your original phone and a sum of money.
Whilst not trying to undermine the entrepreneurism of sellers, Police Scotland would like to remind the general public that although many use social selling sites safely, use caution in any transaction they intend becoming involved in and do not provide bank details or send any high value items or cash to sellers in advance.
If anyone has any information about the incident they are encouraged to contact Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111
or online at http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org/
No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.
Police have appealed for witnesses after a teenager was assaulted and robbed on Blackhall cycle path on Wednesday evening.
The 16 year old youth was walking home and joined the cycle path at Wester Coates Terrace when he saw three males standing at the bridge area. He was approached by the trio who then grabbed and punched him to the head and face before stealing his mobile phone and rucksack.
Officers are urging anyone who can assist with their enquiries to come forward.
The first suspect is described as white, late teens, 5ft 10ins tall with a skinny build, gaunt face and a short dark hair. He was wearing a read and white ‘snood’, dark cotton tracksuit, black gloves and spoke with a local accent.
The second and third suspects are both described as white, in their late teens, around 5ft 11ins tall with slim builds and wearing dark cotton tracksuits.
All three wore their hoods up during the robbery.
Detective Constable Chris Harding said: “The young victim was not seriously injured as a result of this incident but is understandably upset at the theft of his belongings. Anyone who remembers seeing any suspicious activity on the cycle path on Wednesday evening is asked to contact police immediately.
“I would also ask that anyone who can help us identify the suspects or who has any other information relevant to our enquiry also gets in touch. Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101 or call the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
News from Police Scotland … local opportunities to improve your cycle’s security
Police are looking for witnesses following a foiled raid on a wine shop in Comely Bank last Friday.
The would-be robber, who was wearing a trilby type hat, entered Appellation Wines on Comely Bank Road at around 4pm on Friday and threatened a female shop worker with a metal pole before demanding money. The woman suffered minor injuries as she managed to fight off the thief, who then ran off empty-handed.
The suspect is described as white, aged between 50 and 60, around 5ft 8ins tall with an average build and grey stubble.
If you have any information please contact the police on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Local Police have recovered a valuable gold ring as part of the ongoing Operation Wolf. The ring was stolen at the Western General Hospital but was tracked down to a local second-hand shop and has now been returned to it’s delighted owner.
A 73-year-old man was visiting the hospital on 1 May and washed his hands in a restroom. As he did so he removed his 18ct gold signet ring, which was etched with his family crest. He then left the building – but forgot to pick up the ring. The man returned a short time later but found that the item had been stolen and contacted police.
Officers from the Search and Recovery Team (SART) carried out local enquiries and spoke to local second-hand retailers. The investigation proved successful as police were contacted by one of the stores on Saturday 24 May after the ring was brought in for sale.
Police are now following a positive line of enquiry to identify those responsible for this theft, and the ring has since been returned to its rightful owner.
Superintendent Matt Richards said: “This ring was made by the victim’s brother and while it is worth a significant sum of money, it is of greater sentimental value.
“As a result of Operation Wolf activities carried out by the SART, police in Edinburgh were able recover the item from a second-hand store and are actively hunting for the thieves.
“I would like to thank all of the retail premises we work alongside for their continued support in tackling acquisitive crime.
“Operation Wolf continues to address the crimes and issues affecting our various local communities and will relentlessly pursue those responsible for these offences.”
An email we received yesterday:
Hi there
I am just emailing you to make you aware of the recent series of car break ins that have been occurring in the West Pilton Avenue area. I was a victim of a car break in and theft last night and I know of at least two more people that have had their cars broken into ( one tonight and one a couple of nights ago). It seems to be the work of a gang of teenage boys from that area.
They stole my bag from my car, a woman’s purse and a mans wallet and do the by smashing in the passenger front window or the drivers window. They seem to carry their thefts out from between 9-12 pm.
I am just informing you of this occurrence of car break ins so that awareness can be raised , so that people take care not to leave any valuables in their car on show or non valuables such as a bag. My bag was not of value but contained my uni work which is of value to me as makes up a large percentage of my coursework marks and its something i can never replace now . They will steal anything that they may suspect to contain anything of value.
I hope that you can raise awareness with this information.
Kind Regards
Diane Baird (by email)
Police in Edinburgh are appealing for any witnesses to the theft of a number of items from a dredging ship berthed in Granton Harbour between Friday evening and Saturday evening, ncluding a flare gun and the ship’s navigation system.
The ‘Shearwater’, which was berthed at East Granton Harbour off Lochinvar Drive, had various electrical items including the ship’s navigation system and two shipping radios stolen along with a black single barrelled flare gun, 2 inch flare cartridges and hand operated flares. The hand flares are approximately 40cm long and are either metallic and silver in colour or plastic and yellow or red in colour.
A ‘cone’ shaped nose, which forms part of the propeller and is made from bronze, was also taken. This may have taken a considerable time to remove from the ship.
The officer in charge of the investigation, Detective Constable Kenneth Farquhar said: “I do not believe there to be any threat to members of the public, however if they see anyone in possession of the flare gun or flares, I would ask them not to approach that person, but to contact us on 101.
“I am also appealing for all scrap dealers to be aware of the stolen bronze cone from the propeller and contact Police if any attempt is made to sell them this particular item.”
If you saw any suspicious behaviour in the area, please contact Police Scotland on 101 as soon as possible.
A volunteer who has been carrying out unpaid work in North Edinburgh has had her bike stolen.
The volunteer was conducting an interview a community activist as background research for a Pilton Community Health Project initiative when the bike was stolen from outside North Edinburgh Arts and Muirhouse Library in Pennywell Court.
The victim, who asked not to be named, said: “It was stolen between 12.30 and 2pm. I’m totally gutted – I have been volunteering my free time in the community, I only work part-time and the bike gets me around for my job. Any help to retrieve my mode of transport would be greatly appreciated.”
The bike is a black and white (mans size) specialised road bike, with P2 type overendz bar ends on the handlebars. If you have any information about the stolen bike or can help in any way please contact local police or you can contact Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111.
