Police Report - 2008 April

Click on this icon to subscribe for free to our RSS news feed of latest information on this page, and other pages on this website. Not sure what RSS is? Then click here to find out more (from the BBC's website).

Download a pdf version of the original police report, whose text content is below.

divisional commander's message | hot topics | domestic housebreaking | business housebreaking | auto crime | theft from vehicles | arrests/reports | tagged incidents | and finally

Community and Neighbourhood Watch News - Issue 44 - April 2008

Divisional Commander's Message

As I approach my retirement, I realise I have enjoyed every minute of my service and over the years I have had the opportunity to work with some fantastic people both within and outwith the force. I am particularly proud of the achievements in the past 18 months as Divisional Commander for Edinburgh. In the past year 3,200 fewer crimes have been committed across the city. That is 60 fewer crimes committed each week. This coupled with a solvency rate of 42% is a legacy of which I can be proud. This could never have been achieved without the dedication and hard work of front line and community officers and staff, along with those working in specialist units.

I have seen partnership working across the city continue to develop to a position where we are now the envy of police forces across the country. The relationship we have with the City of Edinburgh Council and other agencies places us in a unique position where we can work together for the benefit of the people of Edinburgh and its visitors.

I am delighted that Chief Superintendent Colin Campbell will take on the role of Divisional Commander for A Division. I have known and worked closely with Colin for 27 years and I know he will continue to drive business forward with our partners and continue to support police officers and staff across the division as they face the ever increasing demands that will be placed upon them. I wish Colin and A Division all the best for the future.

Chief Superintendent George Simpson

HOT TOPICS
Now the lighter evenings are with us and, hopefully, warmer weekends many of us will be making the most of it and going for walks in the Edinburgh parks and surrounding countryside and beaches.

A word of caution however if you are going by car. Car parks in these outlying areas usually do not have the security offered by lighting, security staff or even passing drivers/walkers. Thieves who steal from cars are always looking for easy opportunities to steal when they are least likely to be seen and so take advantage of this.
There is a lot you can do to protect your car and property.

- Make sure you have closed all your windows and sunroof and locked all the doors
- If your car has an alarm, use it.
- Never leave driving documents in your car.
- Don’t leave anything on display in your car.
- Take all your valuables with you when leaving the car or take them out and leave them at home before your journey. If you must leave valuables, lock them out of sight in the boot and disable any bluetooth.
- If you have a Satellite Navigation, always take it with you when leaving your car and remove any suction marks on the windscreen

The following devices will enhance the security of your car and help to put off car thieves: Steering lock, Alarm, Immobiliser and Locking wheel nuts.

More information on a range of these products is available on www.soldsecure.com

Ward 10 Beat 47
This is the April edition of your monthly newsletter.
There were 39 reported crimes in respect of your ward for the month of March 2008.

DOMESTIC HOUSEBREAKING
There were three housebreakings and one attempted housebreaking.

On the 3rd Mar, premises at Gilmore Place were entered and a computer stolen. A 22 year old male has since been charged with this crime.

On the 6th Mar a flat at Bruntsfield Place was entered by forcing the front door and property stolen. Further entry was gained to another flat at Bruntsfield Place but no property was stolen from within.

On the 12th Mar a flat at Rochester Terrace was entered by forcing the front door with bodily pressure. A computer was stolen. On this occasion the thiefs job was made easier by the fact that a note had been left upon the front door by the residents of the flat alerting passers by that they were out!

BUSINESS HOUSEBREAKING
There was one business housebreaking. This occurred on the 18th Mar when entry was forced to premises in Colinton Road. A 16 year old male has been reported for this crime.

AUTO CRIME
Between the 2nd and 3rd Mar an attempt was made to steal a Ford Escort from Upper Gilmore Place by bending the front nearside door, entering, removing the cowling but failing to start the vehicle.

Between the 29th January – 3rd Mar a Vauxhall Corsa was stolen from Leamington Terrace. This vehicle has been recovered.

Between the 3rd and 6th Mar a Suzuki motorcycle was stolen from Bruntsfield Terrace.

THEFT FROM VEHICLES
Between the 2nd and 3rd Mar an INSECURE Citreon was entered in Upper Gilmore Place and a ‘disabled’ permit stolen.

Between the 15th and 16th Mar a Vauxhall Corsa was entered by bending back the door frame and stealing from within.

ARRESTS/ REPORTS
A 22 year old male was reported for possession of drugs in Mardale Crescent on the 1st Mar.

A 37 year old male was reported for threats and resisting arrest at Leven Street on the 8th Mar.

A 22 year old male was reported for a breach of the peace at Bruntsfield Place on the 16th Mar.

An 18 year old male was reported for a breach of the peace at Home Street on the 17th Mar.

A 22 year old male was reported for a theft by shoplifting at Colinton Road on the 18th Mar.

A 16 year old male was reported for a breach of bail at Leamington Terrace on the 19th Mar.

A 23 year old male was reported for a theft by shoplifting at Bruntsfield Place on the 21st Mar.

A 32 year old male was reported for two counts of breach of the peace at Leven Street on the 28th Mar.

TAGGED INCIDENTS
During the month there were 156 incidents logged by the police in respect of your ward. Of these only 10 were graded 1, i.e. emergencies; 39 were Graded 2 i.e. not emergencies but should be responded to within one hour. The remainder were dealt with by the Community Beat Officer or patrol officers.

AND FINALLY
Our yearly crime figures are published in line with the financial year. For the period 2007/8 I’m delighted to report that recorded crime in the Meadows and Morningside dropped by 21% to 1892 crimes. That is a real term decrease of 490 crimes in a year, or just under ten less crimes a week in our area.

We do not achieve such reductions on our own, and it’s through our close liaison with the City of Edinburgh Council, other partners, and the community themselves that less people are becoming victims of crime. Thank you for your help.