The increase in racial/hate motivated harassment and aggression in the last few years has made it clear that we need to get better at standing up for each other.
Join us Tuesday, July 8, at St James Church (11A John’s Pl, EH6 7EL) for a co-led workshop where we will share our experiences and knowledge to build and practice the skills needed to counter racist, sexist, transphobic and ableist harassment and violence in public spaces.
Retail trade union Usdaw is concerned by the continued growing trend of shoplifting incidents, which have more than doubled since the pandemic, alongside a persistent decline in police ‘clear-up’ rates for the offence.
The union welcomes that the protection of retail workers law has been effective in nearly 8,000 assaults, but calls for greater priority to be given to retail crime.
Police recorded retail crime in Scotland:
Shoplifting increased from 20,557 during the pandemic to 44,730 last year (2024/5), which is a 118% increase and includes a 16% rise on the previous year (2023/4).
The ‘clear-up’ rate for shoplifting has fallen every year over the past 10 years from 74.6% in 2014/5 to 49% in 2024/5, an overall decrease of over one-third.
Since the Protection of Workers (Retail and Age-restricted Goods and Services) (Scotland) Act 2021 came into effect on 24 August 2021, there have been 7,861 police recorded incidents of common assault of a retail worker.
Tony Doonan – Usdaw regional secretary for Scotland says:“Scottish retail workers suffer far too many incidents of violence, abuse and threats. No-one should feel afraid to go to work, but far too many retail workers are.
“Usdaw’s own survey shows that nearly three-quarters of our members working in retail are being abused, threatened and assaulted for simply doing their job and serving the community. They provide an essential service and deserve our respect and the protection of the law.
“The scale of the epidemic of retail crime is laid bare in these shocking police recorded crime statistics. It is increasingly common for retail stores to be targeted by organised crime gangs stealing to order.
“This is in no way a victimless crime, with weapons and violence used to ensure these criminals are not stopped.
“Having to deal with repeated and persistent offences can cause issues beyond the theft itself, like anxiety, fear and physical harm to retail workers.
“Scotland’s protection of retail workers law has made a difference, having been used for nearly 8,000 assaults, but more needs to be done.
“We continue to work with retailers, the Scottish Government and Police Scotland to help ensure that legislation is fully utilised so that all retail workers receive the protection and respect they deserve.”
Officers investigating the violent incidents in the East and West of the country have made two further arrests, bringing the total to 44.
Following the recovery of a firearm in the Roseburn Path area of Edinburgh on Wednesday, 11 June, 2025, a 25-year-old man was subsequently arrested and charged in connection and was due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today, Friday, 13 June.
Officers also executed warrants this morning at addresses in South Queensferry and Edinburgh.
A 22-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with fire-raising of a vehicle on Peacocktail Close in Edinburgh on Friday, 16 May. He is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, 16 June.
A 21-year-old man has also been reported to the Procurator Fiscal in connection with wilful fire-raisings at two properties in Glasgow and one in Shotts in April.
A dedicated team of officers from our Specialist Crime Division, with support from local divisions across the country, continue to carry out extensive enquiries to gather vital evidence and reassure the public with intelligence-led patrols.
Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ferry said: “Our continued activity and arrests show our commitment to targeting organised crime and bringing those responsible to justice.
“We continue to investigate and follow a number of positive lines of enquiry. The support and response from the public has been excellent, and I am grateful for the assistance given to us and that continued support from local communities is crucial as we progress our enquiries.
“If you know anything that could assist our ongoing investigation, please do the right thing and speak to us.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101 quoting incident number 0562 of Friday, 21 March, 2025. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.
Police Scotland have released images of a man they believe may be able to assist officers with an ongoing investigation into an assault in Edinburgh which occurred at around 2.05am on Saturday, 26 April, 2025 on Lothian Road.
The man in the images is described as being of South Asian appearance, slim build, 5ft 6in to 5ft 9in tall and aged late teens to early twenties, with short dark hair. He was wearing a dark hooded jacket, dark bottoms and dark trainers.
Detective Constable Christopher Stewart said: “I would urge this man or anyone who recognises him to please make contact with us.
“I would also ask anyone who witnessed the incident, or anyone with information relating to the incident, to please speak to officers via 101, quoting reference 1272 of 27 April 2025.
“Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
A further arrest has been made as detectives continue to investigate a number of linked incidents in the West and East of Scotland, bringing the total to 42.
Officers executed a warrant at an address in Glasgow on the evening of Thursday, 29 May, 2025.
A 20-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with fire-raising at a house on Drumchapel Road, Glasgow, on Tuesday, 13 May. He appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Friday, 30 May.
Extensive enquiries remain ongoing and a dedicated team of officers from our Specialist Crime Division, with support from local divisions across the country, continue to work together to gather vital evidence and reassure the public with intelligence-led patrols.
Over the course of the investigation so far, more than 8,000 homes have been visited and more than 1,600 vehicles have been stopped, as officers continue to gather information.
Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ferry said: “I want to be clear that violence will not be tolerated, and we will not stop until we bring those responsible to justice.
“We are still following positive lines of enquiry, and this arrest highlights our continued resolve to target organised crime.
“The support of our communities remains vital, and I want to again express my sincere thanks to the public for their continued help and information so far.
“If you know anything that could assist our ongoing investigation, please do the right thing and speak to us.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101 quoting incident number 0562 of Friday, 21 March, 2025. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.
Detectives investigating a number of linked incidents in the West and East of Scotland arrested six people yesterday following executive action in Glasgow and North Lanarkshire.
This brings the total number of arrests made during this investigation to 32.
On Friday, 9 May, 2025, officers from the Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism Unit, assisted by firearms officers, executed warrants and searched six properties in the Barlanark, Maryhill, Hamiltonhill, Milton of Campsie and Wishaw areas.
In Glasgow, two men, aged 31 and 26, were arrested in connection with conspiracy to murder and directing serious and organised crime.
A 36-year-old man was also arrested in connection with conspiracy to murder.
A 26-year-old man was arrested in connection with drug offences and a 57-year-old man was arrested in connection with proceeds of crime offences.
In Wishaw, a 42-year-old man was arrested in connection with involvement in serious and organised crime.
A number of items, including a quantity of class B drugs and approximately £46,000 in cash, were also seized during the operation.
Extensive enquiries remain ongoing.
A dedicated team of officers from Police Scotland’s Specialist Crime Division and the local division continue to work together to gather vital evidence and reassure the public with intelligence-led patrols.
Detectives investigating a number of linked incidents in the West & East of Scotland have arrested six people following action in Glasgow & North Lanarkshire. This brings the total number of arrests made during this investigation to 32.
Detective Chief Superintendent David Ferry said: “These arrests continue to highlight the hard work and dedication of officers to target those responsible for these attacks.
“While the number of incidents has continued to decrease since the start of this investigation, I want to reiterate that violence will not be tolerated and will not stop until we bring those responsible for this criminality to justice.
“We are working tirelessly to build cases and are following a number of significant lines of enquiry.
“The support of our communities is absolutely vital when it comes to tackling serious organised crime, preventing violence and getting justice for victims and I want to again thank the public for their help and information so far.
“If you know anything about these dangerous and abhorrent acts, please do the right thing and speak to us.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101 quoting incident number 0562 of Friday, 21 March, 2025. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.
A 37-year-old man will spend the next 13 years in prison after he was sentenced for serious sexual offences, violence and abusive behaviour.
Anthony Gibson came to the attention of police in November 2020 when it was discovered he had abused two women.
Following initial inquiries, it was apparent Gibson had subjected other women to his abusive behaviour. His offences occurred in Edinburgh, Midlothian, Lanarkshire and Fife.
As a result of the ongoing enquiries, Gibson was arrested and charged in connection with serious sexual assaults, violence and abusive and controlling behaviour.
He was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow on Monday, 11 November, 2024.
Detective Inspector Frank Keegan : “Gibson is a prolific offender. I can only hope that the women he harmed take some solace in knowing he can no longer inflict his violent and abusive behaviour on them or any other women.
“It is incredibly difficult for anyone to stand up and confront an abuser and I would like to thank the women for their strength and resilience in speaking with us. I would encourage anyone who has been or is being subjected to violence and abuse to report it to us.”
Officers investigating disorder following the Hibernian versus Motherwell football match that took place in Edinburgh on Saturday, 5 October, 2024, have made more arrests.
Four men, two aged 19, one aged 18 and one aged 24, along with a 16-year-old male youth, have been arrested and charged in connection with incidents in the St Andrew Square area.
They have been released on an undertaking to appear in court on a later date. Football banning orders are being sought.
Chief Inspector Craig Rogerson said: “Officers work hard to create a safe environment not just at football matches but also after the event.
“These arrests send a strong message that we will not tolerate football related disorder in any form.”
A further five arrests have been made following disorder at the Hibernian versus Motherwell football game on Saturday, 5 October, 2024.
Incidents of violence and disorder were directed towards officers in the St Andrew Square area of Edinburgh after the conclusion of the game.
Five men aged, 32, 21, 20, 19 and 18 have been arrested and charged in connection with the incidents.
Chief Inspector Craig Rogerson said: “These arrests show that disorder is not acceptable. We want to create a safe environment for people before, during and after football matches. We will continue to work closely with both clubs and football authorities.
“The men will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal and are expected to appear at Court at a later date. Football banning orders will be sought, preventing them from attending any regulated football matches in Scotland.
