Tag: witness appeal

Appeal after body found near burnt out motorbike

Police are appealing for witnesses following the death of a man found near Cousland in Midlothian on Sunday (17 January).

A report was received relating to an off-road motorcycle on fire on land off Hadfast Road in the Midlothian village around 9.20am on Sunday.

Emergency services attended and the body of a man was found near the motorcycle.

The death is being treated as unexplained and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.

Work is also ongoing to formally identify the man who has died.

Detective Chief Inspector Bryan Burns, of Lothian & Borders CID, said: “We are carrying out extensive enquiries in order to establish exactly what has happened prior to the man being found dead during the morning of Sunday, 17 January.

“He was found on a path in woodland to the west of the village of Cousland where it runs under the A68 road, which we know is regularly used by locals.

“We are appealing to anyone who may have seen a fire or heard any activity in the area overnight or in the early hours of Sunday to get in touch.

“We would also be keen to speak to anyone who may have been driving in the area around Cousland or on the A68 who may have seen the fire or who may have dashcam footage.

“If you have any information you can call 101, quoting incident 0931 of 17 January.”

A 24-year-old man has been arrested in connection with an assault as part of this investigation. A report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal and he was due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Tuesday, 19 January, 2021.

Witness appeal following deliberate fire at The Venchie

Police are appealing for information following a wilful fire at the Venchie Children and Young People’s Project in Craigmillar on Friday (15 January).

Between 8.30pm and 9pm, a wheelie bin was placed against a shipping container at the premises on Niddrie Mains Terrace and set alight. The container subsequently caught light and the contents within were destroyed.

The items included clothes, food and playground equipment and were estimated to be worth almost £10,000.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service attended and extinguished the fire. Nobody was injured during the incident.

Police are treating the fire as wilful and are appealing for information after three teenagers were seen in the area close to the time the fire occurred.

They are described as:

1) White, male, around 15/16 years old, slim build with short light brown hair. He was wearing a dark puffer jacket with hood, light coloured trousers and trainers.

2) White, female, around 15/16 years old, medium build with long blonde hair. She was wearing a dark body warmer over a light coloured jumper, light coloured trousers and shoes. She was also carrying a dark handbag.

3) White, female, around 15/16 years old, slim build with long blonde hair. She was wearing a dark jacket with light coloured trousers and shoes.

Constable Gareth Deering, of Craigmillar Police Station, said: “This completely reckless act has resulted in key equipment provided for children and young people in the community being destroyed.

“I am appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time and saw any suspicious activity, or three teenagers matching this description, to come forward. Information can be provided to police on 101, quoting reference number 3382 of 15 January, or to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if you prefer to remain anonymous.”

Stolen motorbikes: Police appeal for information

Police Scotland is appealing for information after two motorbikes were stolen from Houston Industrial Estate in Livingston.

The bikes were stolen during break-ins to business units in Muir Place between 6pm and 6.30pm on Wednesday, 30 December, 2020.

Detective Constable Sam Plastow of Livingston CID said : “Two KTM 450 SX-F motorbikes were stolen worth a five figure sum. One motorbike is orange and grey with the lettering ‘LAURIS’ on the front and side. The second motorbike is orange with ‘METAL MULISHA’ and ‘ROCKSTAR ENERGY’ stickers on the front and side.

“It is believed that a white van may have been used to carry one of the motorbikes away from the business units and the other being pushed away.  

“Enquiries into this incident are currently ongoing. However, if anyone was in the area around the time of this incident and saw anything that may assist this investigation we are keen for them to get in contact as soon as possible.

“I would also urge anyone who has seen motorbikes matching the description or has noticed them being advertised for sale, or has any information about the location of the bikes to make us aware.

“Police Scotland can be contacted on 101 quoting incident 2772 of Wednesday, 30 December 2020, or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Racial assault in George Square: 16 year old boy arrested

BOY ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH ASSAULT NEAR UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

Inspector Norman Towler of St Leonards Police Station said: “Officers have arrested a 16-year-old boy in connection with a racial assault which happened in George Square on Friday, 11 December.

“A 21-year-old man was approached by a group of youths, who spoke to him and subjected him to racial abuse before he was assaulted. The victim was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

“The teenager will be reported and enquiries continue to trace others involved in the incident.

“I would like to thank those who have assisted with our enquiries so far, any form of hate crime is completely unacceptable and I would ask anyone with any further information to contact officers as soon as possible.

“Those with information should report this to 101, quoting incident number 2927 of 11 December.”

The Iniversity issued the following statement following the attack:

On Friday 11 December 2020, one of our students was the victim of a racist attack outside the Main Library. This was an appalling incident, which we wholeheartedly condemn.

All of our University community should feel safe on campus, and we will not tolerate violence, racism or any other form of discrimination.

We are working closely with Police Scotland to support their investigations into the incident, and to increase the presence of security and police in the area. We have conducted a swift review into our response on the night and continue to work with the student community to address their concerns.

A range of help has been offered to the victim to support them after their ordeal. However, this will of course be upsetting and concerning for our whole community. We want to reassure our students and staff that we will do everything in our power to ensure that people have a safe and happy experience on campus.

Anyone affected by the incident should contact our Advice Place on advice@eusa.ed.ac.uk, or visit the following links to access support:

Portobello High Street road death: police re-issue witness appeal

Police are re-appealing for witnesses to come forward following a road crash on Portobello High Street in which a local 36-year-old woman died.

At around 2.45pm on Monday, 2 November, Heather Stronach (36), died after she and her bike were involved in a collision with a lorry on Portobello High Street at its junction with Sir Harry Lauder Road.

Sergeant Mark Banner, from Police Scotland’s Road Policing Unit, said:”We would like to hear from anyone who was in the area and saw the collision take place to come forward if they have not already done so.

“I am particularly keen to speak to two car drivers who may be able to assist. The first was in a car stationary at the junction of Sir Harry Lauder Road, and the other was in a small black car on Portobello High Street. They may have information that could prove very helpful to our enquiry.

“Also, we’d still appeal to any pedestrians who were there or to anyone who has dashcam or CCTV footage from the street around 2.45pm to get in touch. Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident 1829 of 2 November.”

PIC: The Record

Police seek witnesses after women assaulted in Old Town

Police working on the investigation into the assaults of two women in Edinburgh are appealing for information to identify potential witnesses.

The incidents happened on Sunday, 25 October, 2020 in Cranston Street and West College Street. A 24-year-old man has been charged in connection with both incidents.

Police are appealing for anyone who was in the area between 6am and 9am and who may have any information that will assist their ongoing enquiries to come forward.

Police Scotland can be contacted on 101 quoting reference number 0905 of 25 October. Alternatively Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.

Witness appeal following Roseburn assault and robbery

Police are appealing for information following an assault and robbery in Roseburn.

The incident happened at round 8pm last night (Wednesday 18 November), when a 15-year-old male youth was assaulted and robbed outside a supermarket on Roseburn Terrace.

A black Nike bag with various personal items was stolen and the boy was taken to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children for treatment of minor injuries.

The suspects are described as three white men aged between 17 and 18-years-old and were all wearing face masks.

The first suspect was wearing a light coloured tracksuit with a black fur lined jacket and all black trainers.

Suspects two and three are described as wearing black hoodies, bottoms and trainers.

It is also reported that one of the men involved may have spoken with a scouse or Liverpudlian accent.

Detective Sergeant Rory Legge, of Edinburgh CID, said: “The boy involved has thankfully only sustained minor injuries but has been left evidently shaken by what has happened.

“The incident took place near a busy supermarket and we are asking members of the public to come forward with any information they may have.

“If you were in the area at the time and have any dashcam or mobile phone footage that could assist with our investigation I would urge you to contact police. I would also ask if you find a black Nike rucksack that you speak to officers.

“Police can be contacted by calling 101 and quoting incident number 3277 of Wednesday, 18 November, 2020.”

Police appeal following hit and run on West Approach Road

Police in Edinburgh are appealing for information following a hit and run yesterday ( Friday, 6 November, 2020).

At around 4:40pm, a six-year-old boy was struck by a grey Skoda Fabia car while crossing the road at a pedestrian crossing on the West Approach Road: the driver failed to stop.

Emergency services attended and the boy was taken to hospital, where he is being treated for facial injuries.

Sergeant Peter Scott, of Edinburgh Road Policing Unit, said: “We’re appealing to anyone who witnessed this incident, or has relevant dash cam footage, to get in touch.

“I would also appeal directly to the driver of the car involved, to come forward.

“The grey Skoda Fabia sustained damage to the nearside fog lamp and nearside mirror. If anyone has information which could help to identify this car, then please get in touch.”

Anyone with information should contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 2629 of 6 November, 2020.

CCTV appeal following Newhaven assault and robbery

Police have released CCTV images of two men they believe may be able to assist them with their enquiries following an assault and robbery which took place on Newhaven Place last year.

The incident happened shortly after 12am on Wednesday, 24 April 2019.

A man sustained minor facial injuries as a result of the incident, during which his Shih Tzu Westie Cross dog was stolen.

The first man is described as a white man, aged between 30 and 40, around 5ft 9ins to 6ft tall and of stocky build. He was wearing a black jacket with a white logo on the left sleeve, black trousers, black shoes and a black beanie hat. He spoke with a Glaswegian accent.

The second man is described as a white man, aged between 20 and 30, of medium build with short dark hair. He was wearing a dark grey long-sleeved top with black sides, black joggers and red trainers.

Detective Constable Ryan Lee of Edinburgh’s CID said: “I would urge anyone who may recognise these men, who knows the whereabouts of the dog or who has any information which could be relevant to this enquiry to report it as soon as possible.”

Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0087 of 24 April 2019, or report this anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police appeal following fatal collision on Portobello High Street

A woman has died following a crash involving a lorry and a cyclist on Portobello High Street.

The incident took place around 2.45pm yesterday (Monday, 2 November) and the 36-year-old cyclist was pronounced dead at the scene.

Sergeant Mark Banner, from Police Scotland’s Road Policing Unit, said: “Our thoughts are with the deceased’s family at this tragic time.

“We are asking for anyone who was in the area and saw the collision take place to place come forward. If you have potential dashcam or CCTV footage in that area around 2.45pm, that could also greatly assist our enquiries.”

INCIDENT UPDATE:

THE cyclist who died after being involved in a collision with a lorry has been named as Heather Stronach.

The incident took place around 2.45pm on Monday, 2 November, on Portobello High Street heading towards Sir Harry Lauder Road. The 36-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene.Enquiries to establish the full circumstances are ongoing.

Heather’s husband, Martyn Stronach, said: “Heather loved to ride her bike. I am feeling pretty lost. I have lost my best friend and my soul mate.”

The family has requested privacy at this time.

Sergeant Mark Banner, of the Road Policing Unit, said: “We are still appealing for anyone who witnessed this incident, either shortly before or during, to contact us.”I’d also ask drivers who were in the area around 2.45pm to check their dash-cam footage.”

Anyone with information should contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident number 1829 of 2 November 2020.