A 50-year-old man has been convicted following a violent offence in Edinburgh.
Anthony Brown pleaded guilty at the High Court in Glasgow yesterday (Tuesday, 14 April, 2026), to assault to severe injury, permanent disfigurement and danger of life.
Officers were made aware of the attempted murder of a 54-year-old man on Pitcairn Grove in Greenbank around 9.20pm on Thursday, 22 May, 2025.
Brown was arrested and charged in connection with the incident on Friday, 4 July, 2025, following the execution of a warrant.
Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ferry, Specialist Crime Division, said: “Another individual has been convicted in relation to this violent incident.
“This conviction is testament to the hard work and dedication by detectives, specialist officers and partners across the country.
“Police Scotland remains committed to the Serious and Organised Crime Taskforce and its national strategy.”
Operation Portaledge is the ongoing investigation into violent incidents in the East and West of the country.
“For more than four decades, miners and their families have been forced to live with unanswered questions. Today, I am formally launching the Orgreave Inquiry to uncover the truth of what happened.
“I pay tribute to the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign, the National Union of Mineworkers, and all those who campaigned so tirelessly to reach this moment” – SHABANA MAHMOOD, HOME SECRETARY
ORGREAVE TRUTH and JUSTICE CAMPAIGN STATEMENT:
We are pleased that the Government is finally launching the start of the Orgreave Inquiry after their inquiry announcement last July 2025.
While we are disappointed that it has taken so long for the Home Office to come to this stage, we are relieved that work will now begin to establish the truth about the Tory government involvement and police conduct at Orgreave on 18th June 1984 during the 1984/5 miners’ strike.
The Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign and supporters have worked hard over many years for an Orgreave Inquiry and it has been a long and difficult journey.
Our determination and tenacity has however received much support from many individuals, organisations and the Labour and Trade Union movement, whose wonderful solidarity has made it possible to continue and be able to come this far.
This is a statutory inquiry, with the Terms of Reference and panel membership established by the government. We have however tried our best to influence the process to ensure this does not become a police-led inquiry but one shaped by the miners and their experiences.
This 42nd anniversary year of the miners’ strike reminds us that we must never forget the importance of that great strike to defend an industry, jobs, trade unions and communities and the fight for all our futures.
We are indebted to the striking miners and their families for their dedication and sacrifice to that year-long struggle that changed all our lives forever.
The 1980s Tory cabinet of Margaret Thatcher, Leon Brittan, Nigel Lawson, Norman Tebbit and others, along with their secret “Misc 101” Committee, planned to destroy the British coal industry and organised labour, the National Union of Mineworkers, its leaders Arthur Scargill, Peter Heathfield and Mick McGahey and the British labour and Trade Union movement.
Kevin Horne, striking miner arrested at Orgreave on 18th June 1984 said: “We know that the Tory Government of the 1980s was directly involved in the miners’ strike while professing ‘non-involvement’.
“The Tory Ridley plan of the 1970s exposes how far they were prepared to go and the 1980s Tory Government put vast amounts of public resources into the implementation of this plan. This was state sponsored organisation against the miners and our livelihoods.
“The Tory’s own archives confirm Parliament and the public were knowingly lied to but their involvement in the strike and the policing of it has never been publicly acknowledged.”
John Dunn, striking miner assaulted by the police and arrested on a Derbyshire picket line said: “The mass media colluded with the Tories by lying in their headlines and reports about what was really happening, or not reporting it at all. Their collaboration in these government and police lies and coverups continues to this day, demonising and vilifying strikers and protesters.
“The raw footage that the many media companies and photographers have of police attacking miners at Orgreave and other footage of police violence and harassment throughout the strike must be handed over to this inquiry.
“The injustice faced by us miners and our communities has never been acknowledged by the state and instead they and the media have lied and covered it up. The right to strike and the right to protest should be a fundamental human right”
Kate Flannery, Secretary of the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign said: “We need answers about the systemic violent and lying behaviour of the police. We need to know about plans of how police officers on the ground were briefed and how that briefing came about.
“We need government and police papers releasing that have been embargoed until 2066 and 2071. The police have recently still been destroying vital evidence needed for this inquiry.
“This is of great public interest and concern and is about a government who actively worked against its own population and handed the police paramilitary powers and destroyed an industry in the process.”
Chris Peace, Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign activist said: “Orgreave marked a turning point in the policing of public protest. With no accountability of policing at Orgreave, a message was sent to the police that they could employ violence and tell lies with impunity.
“This set a culture for violent militarised police to run riot throughout mining communities and villages all over Britain. It also enabled a culture for the police to maintain many lies and cover ups in 1989 at Hillsborough. The Hillsborough campaigners are still fighting for justice to this day”
Chris Hockney, Chair of the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign said: “It is important that due to the age and health of many miners we quickly secure a public acknowledgement of why and what the state did to the miners and our communities.
“We have to have hope that an inquiry of full disclosure should influence the future behaviour of the state and public officials and that the inquiry panel and resources committed to this inquiry will establish truth and justice.”
The campaign will be encouraging as many people as possible to come forward with information to submit to the inquiry once more details about how people can contribute has been revealed by the Chair and inquiry team.
Retail trade union Usdaw has today (18 March) launched shocking statistics from its annual survey of Scottish retail staff, showing that abuse and threats remain at high levels.
With shoplifting having more than doubled since the pandemic, the survey found that abuse, threats and assaults remain higher than pre-Covid levels in 2019.
Usdaw’s surveyof 1,062 Scottish retail staff found that in 2025:
· 76% were verbally abused.
· 50% were threatened.
· 11% were assaulted.
Voices from the frontline:
These are some of the comments retail workers from Scotland shared when responding to Usdaw’s survey:
· “Asked a barred customer to leave: when turned round, got punched in face. Been screamed at multiple times for following policy and doing my job correctly.”
· “Customer spat on me and verbally assaulted me when I refused a refund on an unwanted toilet seat, which had been opened and used.”
· “Homophobic abuse, pushing and physical abuse. I get shouted at frequently and treated like a lesser being. I was punched in the face by a customer.”
· “I have been threatened with stabbing, being assaulted and had many incidents of verbal abuse as the result of thieves and people who have been asked for ID.”
· “Abuse usually happens at self-scan tills. Not enough staff, faults with machines, incorrect reductions, labels not printed correctly. Customers blame the staff.”
· “Sexually touched when working on the shop floor. Customers lashing out when asked for ID. Physical and verbal abuse in and outside of work.”
Tony Doonan – Usdaw regional secretary for Scotland says:“It is difficult to read these testimonies from Scottish retail workers, but regrettably they are all too common, with nearly four in five retail workers suffering violence, threats or abuse.
“No-one should feel afraid to go to work. Retail workers provide an essential service and should be respected and have the protection of the law.
“Violence and abuse are not an acceptable part of the job and much more needs to be done to protect retail workers. We were delighted to have won the campaign for a protection of workers law in the Scottish Parliament, but that is the beginning – not the end.
“We have to ensure that the legislation is central to tackling a growing wave of retail crime, and Usdaw looks forward to working with Police Scotland and employers to make that happen.”
Following the Scottish Cup quarter final between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox Stadium yesterday (Sunday, 8 March 2026), Chief Superintendent Kate Stephen said: “The behaviour of a number of supporters at the Scottish Cup quarter final between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox today was shameful. It must be condemned by everyone involved in football and wider society.
“A number of arrests have already been made, and Police Scotland will now work with both clubs and the Scottish Football Association to carry out a robust investigation following the scenes on the pitch at the conclusion of the match.
“Officers and stewards were faced with extreme hostility and violence over a sustained period, with many individuals having armed themselves with items clearly intended to cause harm. Officers and members of the public have been injured in this despicable display and I want to express my thanks to all officers and staff deployed.
“The investigation will also include the actions of some supporters who entered the Broomloan Road stand without tickets before the match started, forcing delays in the security operation and the turnstiles to be closed for a period of time.
“I would also urge anyone with information about who was involved in disorder before, during or after the match to get in touch with Police Scotland on 101.”
The Scottish FA added:
“The Scottish FA condemns the behaviour from supporters entering the field of play following the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Quarter-Final at Ibrox Stadium.
“An investigation will be carried out immediately in line with the Judicial Panel Protocol.”
A 20-year-old man has been convicted of the rape of a teenage girl in Edinburgh on Sunday, 25 May, 2025.
Aaron Strachan pled guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh yesterday (Thursday, 4 December). He is due to be sentenced at the same court on Tuesday, 13 January, 2026.
The incident happened in the early hours of the morning in the York Place area.
Strachan also pled guilty to an assault to severe injury which took place in the South Bridge area of Edinburgh on the same date, as well as an assault to severe injury and endangerment of life which took place in the High Riggs area of Edinburgh on Wednesday, 28 May, 2025.
Detective Inspector Gillian Wells, from Edinburgh’s Sex Offender Policing Unit, said: “This was a particularly harrowing attack which was carried out in the busy city centre area and had a profound effect on the young victim.
“The other assaults also demonstrate what a violent individual Strachan is, with no consideration of the consequences of his actions.
“I would like to thank local officers for their excellent work which ensured Strachan was quickly identified and arrested.
“Police Scotland remains committed to tackling sexual crimes and bringing those responsible to justice. I’d encourage anyone who has been a victim of such crimes to come forward and report it to us.
“We’ll thoroughly investigate and have specially trained officers and partner agencies to support you throughout.”
Chief Inspector Trisha Clark, Area Commander for Edinburgh City Centre, said: “We understand that crimes of this nature have a serious impact on the local community.We will continue to work closely with partners to address any such concerns in the area.”
Retail trade union Usdaw has launched shocking statistics from its UK-wide annual survey during this year’s Respect Week, which runs from 10-16 November.Usdaw members are raising awareness of the union’s year-round ‘Freedom from Fear’ campaign and talking to the public to promote a message of ‘respect for retail workers’.
Interim results from over 3,000 retail staff across the UK show that in the last twelve months (change from last year):
· 71% (-6) have experienced verbal abuse.
· 48% (-5) were threatened by a customer.
· 9% (-1) were assaulted.
Scottish voices from the frontline:
These are some of the comments Scottish retail workers shared when responding to Usdaw’s survey:
Central Scotland: “I got a knife pulled on me and was cut on the hand holding it away from him trying to stab me.” – “Sexual harassment, threats of violence for challenging theft and abusive behaviour, name calling.”
Glasgow: “Refused a customer alcohol because they were intoxicated – screamed abuse at me, told me I was a jobsworth.” – “Headbutted and pushed by customer.” – “Verbal abuse, called names, threatened to be hit etc.”
Highlands and Islands: “I have been spat on, called a faggot and loads of other names.” – “Pushed and threatened by shoplifter trying to steal spirits.” – “Customer shouting, throwing items and aggressive behaviour.”
Lothian: “Rude language, swearing, raised voices, intimidating behaviour.” – “Punched by an angry customer.” – “Customer threatened to cut us like fish. Every day, we have verbal abuse. Called names – cow, slag etc.” – “Told me to f**k off.”
Mid-Scotland and Fife: “Pushed, verbally harassed, customer gotten in my face.” – “Verbal abuse, cussing, homophobic and threats of harm.” – “Been swore at, sexual comments, followed to car.” – “Aggressive over being ID’d, stock thrown at me.”
North East Scotland: “Called an ignorant b*tch by a customer who was refused a refund.” – “Pushed by a customer in anger over prices.” – “Shouting, swearing, threatened with bottle person was stealing.”
South Scotland: “Coupons ripped up and thrown at me.” – “Hit by item of food. Threatened with a gun.” – “Customers swearing and threatening me when they have no receipt, can’t get a refund, have waited in the queue for too long.”
West Scotland: “Refused underage sale, tried to punch me.” – “Older man shouting at me at night to distract me so someone else could steal.” – “Called awful names, threatened to follow me after work.”
Tony Doonan – Usdaw regional secretary for Scotland says: “Retail workers deserve far more respect than they receive and these experiences from Scottish retail workers make very difficult reading.
“This year’s UK-wide annual survey interim results show a welcome, but slight, downturn in the level of incidents retail workers are experiencing while doing their jobs. However, it remains shocking that nearly three-quarters of those working in retail are regularly facing abuse from customers, with far too many experiencing threats and violence.
“Violence and abuse is not an acceptable part of the job and much more needs to be done to protect retail workers.
“We were delighted to have won the campaign for a protection of workers law in the Scottish Parliament, but that is the beginning – not the end. We have to ensure that the legislation is central to tackling a growing wave of retail crime, and Usdaw looks forward to working with Police Scotland to make that happen.
“This week, Usdaw activists will be campaigning in their workplaces and communities calling on the shopping public to ‘respect retail workers’ and ‘keep your cool’, particularly in the run-up to Christmas when the number of incidents increases as shops get busy and customers become frustrated.
“This is a hugely important issue for our members, and they are saying loud and clear that enough is enough.”
Ambulance staff subjected to violence and harassment on alcohol-related callouts, study finds
Stronger regulation of late-night alcohol sales and marketing likely to help
Scottish ambulance staff are frequently being subjected to violence, aggression and sexual harassment when they attend alcohol-related callouts, according to new research.
The first-of-its-kind study by the University of Stirlingreveals anxiety and frustration among ambulance staff and warns that alcohol-related ambulance callouts have knock-on effects on responses to other patients.
The authors of the study highlight the need for improved support options for patients with chronic alcohol problems, as well as stronger government regulation. Limiting the sale of alcohol after midnight to fewer premises, and introducing restrictions on alcohol marketing, would help reduce this demand for ambulances over time, they say.
The qualitative study, funded by the Chief Scientist Office, part of Scottish Government, is believed to be the first to give voice to ambulance staff on the challenges of dealing with emergency callouts linked to alcohol consumption.
Researchers interviewed 27 frontline ambulance clinicians across Scotland, including paramedics and paramedic technicians, as well as four senior Scottish Ambulance Service staff.
Interviewees reported unpredictable behaviour from intoxicated patients, with callouts taking place in difficult environments – bars, clubs and streets – where ambulance staff regularly experienced violence and harassment from patients and bystanders.
One male paramedic technician who took part in the study said: “The only times I’ve been physically threatened, if not assaulted, have always been drunk patients.
“I’ve been punched, I’ve been kicked, I’ve been bit(ten). I’ve been chased with knives due to drunk people.”
Sexual harassment was more commonly reported by female staff. One female paramedic technician said: “The thing is that you don’t know how [intoxicated patients] are going to turn, ‘cause one minute they can be nice and the next minute they can be…It’s almost like the flick of a switch and they can just turn so nasty.”
The frequency and repetitive nature of callouts – with the same patient often needing to be attended to multiple times – were seen as having a huge impact on the ambulance service, adding significantly to an already very heavy workload. This was the case all year round but exacerbated by certain events.
One female paramedic technician said: “I think when we are stretched to the limit, resources-wise, we are getting these calls through.
“We feel that they are having a massive impact on our staffing, our resources…sometimes we can go to two and three and four alcohol-related call-outs in a row. It gets to the stage where you’re thinking, oh no, not another one.”
She added: “We kind of dread the football matches and we think, oh no, where are they playing? Are they playing at home this day?
“Or we dread New Year, or we dread the Christmas season, where we’re having the office parties and you’re thinking, oh, here we go.”
Calls to patients with alcohol dependence were particularly time-consuming due to the complexities of these patients’ needs, commonly including mental ill-health – with ambulance staff reporting that they take a lot longer than other jobs.
One male paramedic explained: “You go to someone who’s got chest pain and is an alcoholic [sic] that could potentially go up to two hours, two and a half hours because it’s really hard to do the assessment, it just slows everything down.
“And you’ve got the ones that don’t want to travel, and they have to travel or they’re being awkward, or you end up with the police there as well.”
Dr Isabelle Uny, Research Fellow at the University of Stirling’s Institute for Social Marketing and Health (ISMH) and lead author of the paper, said: “Our findings show the extent to which alcohol consumption, both on social occasions and by people with alcohol dependence, adds to the pressure on ambulance services and staff.
“We found that ambulance staff displayed a deep duty of care to these patients, despite the frustrations, challenges and aggression, and often treated experience of violence or harassment as routine.”
One in six ambulance callouts in Scotland are alcohol-related, according to previous research by the University of Stirling.
The findings come as the Scottish Government considers further action to restrict alcohol marketing, which, if implemented, is likely to be helpful over time.
The UK government is currently seeking evidence on reforms to the alcohol licensing system in England and Wales that Stirling researchers say would have the opposite effect – further increasing the numbers of premises selling alcohol from an already record high and making it harder for local authorities to regulate late-night sales.
Professor Niamh Fitzgerald, the principal investigator on the study, and Director of ISMH, said “The latest UK government proposals to further liberalise the alcohol licensing system are likely to increase pressure on ambulance services in England and Wales – making alcohol even more easily available twenty-four seven, including from shops and via rapid delivery.
“These findings remind us that this would be bad news for efforts to reduce ambulance waiting times.
“We already know what measures work to reduce the harmful impacts of alcohol – restricting availability, increasing price, and reducing marketing – it is up to both local and national governments to decide to take those measures.”
Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, Chair of the Alcohol Health Alliance UK, said: “This research provides a stark reminder of the profound impact alcohol has on our emergency services – placing an avoidable strain on hospitals, paramedics, and other frontline staff, and diverting vital resources away from patients with other urgent medical needs.
“Current UK Government plans to make alcohol even more accessible are deeply concerning. These proposals risk exacerbating the pressures on emergency services and making it harder for frontline workers to do their jobs and protect the public.”
A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We recognise the impact of alcohol-related harm and addiction in Scotland, and we strongly condemn violence and aggression against our staff. It is not acceptable.
“These incidents can have a significant and lasting impact on our people, sometimes even leading them to leave the ambulance service.
“They have the right to carry out their work helping patients and saving lives without fear of assault or abuse, and we will work with Police Scotland to take action against perpetrators.”
Police have released images of a man they believe may be able to assist with their investigation into a serious assault in Edinburgh that took place on Clerk Street around 10.45pm on Tuesday, 12 August 2025.
The man in the image is described as white, around 30 to 40 years old and of slim build. He was wearing a white t-shirt with a collar and carrying a black Fox Racing rucksack on his back.
Detective Sergeant Mark Richmond said: “We would encourage this man, anyone who may recognise him, or anyone with information about this incident to get in touch.”
Anyone who can assist is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 4130 of 12 August 2025. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.
Six men convicted of serious and organised crime incidents in Edinburgh and Midlothian have been jailed.
Michael Heeps, Lee Ridgway, John Murray, Dale Bauld, Damien Mullen and Ryan McGovern, were previously convicted of numerous offences including attempted murder, wilful fire-raising and attempting to pervert the course of justice.
At the High Court in Glasgow, today – Friday, 15 August, 2025, Heeps was jailed for 23 years, Ridgeway for 22 years, Murray (pictured left) for 17 years, Bauld (pictured centre) for 17 years, Mullen for 14 Years and McGovern (pictured right) for eight years.
Detective Superintendent Paul Grainger said: “The use of violence is always completely unacceptable.
“Although these were all targeted attacks, those involved showed absolutely no regard for the communities affected.
“These incidents could have had much more serious consequences and this behaviour will not be tolerated.
“These sentences show Police Scotland’s commitment to the Serious and Organised Crime Taskforce’s national strategy.
“I want to make it clear to those intent on being involved in serious and organised crime that we will not give up and you will be brought to justice.
“I would again like to thank officers who worked on this investigation, as well as our partners in forensic services and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal services, for their work. I would also like to thank the public for their support throughout the investigation.”
