Police Report - 2008 June

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

Community and Neighbourhood Watch News - Issue 46 - Jun 2008

Divisional Commander's Message

In April we highlighted the significant decrease in the number of crimes committed across the City of Edinburgh in the past year. I am delighted to report that we have started the new financial year in an extremely positive way. In April and May this year we have continued to see a decrease in the number of crimes committed across the city an increase in the number of crimes solved compared with previous years.

The challenge ahead of us is to maintain this very impressive start as we enter the summer months. The influx of visitors to Edinburgh is to be warmly welcomed as they are vital to the economic well being and reputation of the city. It is our job to ensure the environment remains safe for all of the people within the capital city. As ever, I am convinced that we will rise to the challenges this will bring for all of us.

Chief Superintendent Colin Campbell

HOT TOPICS
Thefts and vandalism to schools and building sites in Edinburgh affect the whole community. The costs are hidden but they are enormous and ultimately affect the community through increased costs for the repair and replacement of school property, while the vandalism or theft of equipment and materials from building sites will lead to increased costs to the consumer.

Traditionally these types of crime occur at weekends and during holiday periods. Lothian and Borders Police will be visiting all schools and building sites in the weeks prior to the School summer holidays and the traditional trades fortnight to provide crime prevention advice in an effort to combat this.

For those who are going on holiday soon crime prevention advice is readily available to anyone who wishes to review their home security and can be obtained by contacting their local Community Beat Officer or Crime Prevention Officer.

All residents are encouraged to be pro-active in helping to prevent crime in their local community by keeping a look out in their area and reporting any suspicious behaviour they see to the police, in an emergency call 999 or 0131 311 3131 for all other calls.

Remember you can give any information regarding crime or criminal activity anonymously by phoning Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Ward 10 Beat 47
This is the June edition of your monthly newsletter.
There were 86 reported crimes in respect of your ward for the month of May 2008.

DOMESTIC HOUSEBREAKING
There were five housebreakings and two attempted housebreakings.

On the 2nd Jun premises at Leamington Terrace were entered via the rear bedroom and cash stolen.

On the 3rd Jun premises at Polwarth Terrace was entered by forcing the outer door and inner porch door. Jewellery was stolen.

On the 6th Jun a flat at Bruntsfield Place was entered by forcing the doorlock. A computer and mobile phone were stolen. A 17 year old male has been reported for this crime.

Also on the 6th Jun a further flat was entered at Bruntsfield Place but nothing was stolen.

On the 10th Jun a property at Colinton Road was broken into. A 37 year old male has been reported for this.

On the 11th Jun a property at Merchiston Park was entered by forcing open the conservatory doors. A computer was stolen.

On the 13th Jun entry was forced to a flat at Bruntsfield Avenue by bodily pressure. Nothing however was stolen from within.

BUSINESS HOUSEBREAKING
There was one business housebreaking and one attempted housebreaking. On the 12th Jun premises at Lochrin Buildings were entered after the lock was forced.

Overnight between the 13th-14th Jun an attempt was made to enter premises at Lochrin Buildings by forcing an outer gate and window. No entry was made.

A 28 year old male was reported for a breach of the peace at Gilmore Place on the 17th Jun.

AUTO CRIME
There were three thefts of motor vehicles and one attempted theft.

On the 3rd Jun a Honda motorcycle was stolen from Bruntsfield Terrace.

Overnight between the 13th/14th Jun an Audi motor car was stolen from Home Street.

On the 15th Jun an attempt was made to steal a Honda motorcycle from Bruntsfield Place.

On the 29th Jun a BMW motorcycle was stolen from Bruntsfield Gardens. A 16 year old male was reported for this crime.

ARRESTS/ REPORTS
A 26 year old male was reported for a breach of bail and theft by shoplifting at Bruntsfield Place on the 5th Jun.

A 17 year old male was reported for Housebreaking at Bruntsfield Place on the 6th Jun.

A 24 year old male was reported for possession of drugs at Home Street on the 7th Jun.

A 17 year old male was reported for twentyfive (!!) counts of theft of registration plates on the 9th Jun.

A 20 year old male was reported for a breach of bail on the 9th Jun.

A 17 year old male was reported for a breach of the peace at Polwarth Terrace on the 10th Jun.

A 17 year old male was reported for police assault at Polwarth Terrace on the 10th Jun. Also on this date a 37 year old male was reported for a theft by housebreaking at Colinton Road.

A 33 year old male was reported for theft of a handbag from Montpelier on the 13th Jun.

A 21 year old male was reported for a breach of the peace at Bruntsfield Place on the 16th Jun.

Two 15 year old males was reported for a breach of the peace at Bruntsfield Place on the 16th Jun.

A 20 year old male was reported for urinating in Leven Street on the 30th Jun.

A 19 year old male was reported for urinating in Home Street on the 19th Jun.

A 33 year old male was reported for urinating in Lochrin Terrace on the 25th Jun.

A 36 year old male was reported for urinating in Lochrin Terrace on the 25th Jun.

A 35 year old male was reported for a breach of the peace at Bruntsfield Place on the 26th Jun.

A 16 year old male was reported for a theft of a motor vehicle from Bruntsfield Gardens on the 29th Jun.

There has been a significant rise in the crime figures for this month. That said, 25 of the crimes recorded can be attributed to one individual who in a night of ‘madness’ stole 25 sets of registration plates.

Of the 86 crimes reported more than half of these crimes are solved.

TAGGED INCIDENTS
During the month there were 214 incidents logged by the police in respect of your ward. Of these only 12 were graded 1, i.e. emergencies; 66 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
Vandalisms remain the volume crime in our area, and I have specifically tasked two of the Neighbourhood Action Unit with looking at this issue, collating information, targeting recidivist offenders and focusing on hot-spot areas. I am pleased that as a result of this over the past three months, we have seen a reduction in vandalism of 14% across the South Neighbourhood area, with an increase in detection also of 14%.

The Neighbourhood TAC (Tasking and co-ordinating) group also ran a Partnership Initiative aimed at our local Schools resulting in a very successful poster campaign and associated school inputs at P7 and Secondary groups by the Neighbourhood Action Unit, Community Beat Officers, along with Community Safety Wardens.
For those vandals we detected, especially the graffiti taggers, we have arranged restorative warnings and meetings, designed to prevent re-offending. I am pleased that none of those who have been dealt with in this manner has re-offended to date.

My intention is to continue this style of policing, tackling the issue in conjunction with our partners, and tackling repeat offenders, to further reduce this pointless and anti-social crime. Anyone with information about vandals can contact the Neighbourhood Action Unit on 0131 529 5185, or the Councils Anti-Social Behaviour Hotline on 0131 529 7050, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

Richard Horan, Inspector