Appeal for information following wilful fire raising in Craigleith

POLICE in Edinburgh are appealing for information after a car was deliberately set on fire in the Craigleith area.

The incident happened around 5.35pm on Monday, 13 February 2023, on Queensferry Road, close to the junction with South Groathill Avenue. A Volvo XC40 was significantly damaged. 

DC Fiona Murray said: “We are keen to speak to two men seen in the area at the time. “The first is described as late teens to early twenties, slim build, wearing dark jogging bottoms, a grey hooded jumper and dark coloured trainers. 

“The second is described as late teens to early twenties, slim build, wearing a dark coloured tracksuit and dark trainers.

“Officers have been carrying out enquiries and are keen to speak to anyone who may have been within the area at the time and saw anyone acting suspiciously before or after.

“The road was busy with traffic at the time and a passing dash cam footage may assist with our investigation.”

If you have any relevant information then please contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 2803 of Monday, 13 February, 2023, or make a call to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Another weekend, another deliberate fire in Drylaw

There’s been another deliberate fire in North Edinburgh – for the third successive weekend.

This time, a garden shed in Easter Drylaw Drive was set ablaze in the early hours of this morning. Police, fire and ambulance services were on the scene from 1.30am and the road was temporarily closed while the fire was tackled.

It’s the third weekend in a row that there have been wilful fireraising incidents in the North Edinburgh community – and all have taken place in the early hours of the morning.

Last week’s meeting of Drylaw Telford Community Council discussed the arson incidents that took place on 18 September and the group issued an appeal on their Facebook page:

‘These fires were devastating to those affected and we are extremely lucky that more people were not injured. The “what if’s” do not bear thinking about.

‘The unusually dry weather for September that we have had recently would make any fire spread faster therefore It is so important that the perpetrators are caught and for this not to happen again.

‘The police have been talking to residents that have CCTV but we would urge anyone with CCTV, ring doorbell camera’s etc who have not yet been contacted to please contact:

  1. The Police on 101 quoting incident number 0765 of the 18th
    September 2021.
  2. Anonomously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
  3. Message this page and we can forward information

‘Likewise, if anyone has any information at all, then please make contact using the above methods.’

Investigations are ongoing.

Silverknowes fires: man charged

A 30-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with a series of fire raising incidents in North Edinburgh.

He has been charged in connection with a number of fires in the Silverknowes area in the early hours of Wednesday, 27 January and he is expected to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court later today (Thursday, 28 January).

CCTV appeal following Easter Road fire raising

Police have released CCTV images as part of ongoing inquiries into a wilful fire raising in the Leith area. 

The incident happened between approximately 2am and 2.30am on Wednesday, 4 December 2019, at Easter Road. The fire was quickly extinguished by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and nobody was injured as a result.

Officers are looking to speak to the man shown in the images as they believe that he may have some information to assist their investigation.

He is described as a white, aged in his teens to mid-20s and with a slight build. He is shown in the images wearing a dark-coloured hooded rain jacket, tight grey-coloured jeans and dark coloured NIKE trainers.

Constable Fergus Kelly, from Leith Police Station, said: “The fire was set close to houses and cars in residential areas and it is fortunate that it was quickly put out and that no one was injured.

“As part of our inquiries we are eager to speak to the man pictured and would ask anyone who can help us identify and trace him to get in touch with officers as soon as possible.

“Equally anyone with any other information that can help our investigation should come forward.”

Those with information should contact Police Scotland via 101 and quote incident number 0240 of 4 December 2019. Alternatively a report can be given to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.