Police Chief says Forces should be trying to keep officers on the streets

ONE of Scotland’s most senior police chiefs has slammed a controversial new plan to introduce paid for career breaks for officers in a bid to save money.

Chief Superintendent David O’Connor, president of the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents, said that Forces should be trying to keep officers on the streets regardless of financial pressures.

He warned that a bid to introduce the breaks, which have been floated ahead of a meeting today (mon) by Lothian and Borders Chief Constable David Strang.

Chief Superintendent O’Connor said “It’s an idea that would not get the support from the association.

CCTV cameras installed at site where delivery driver was killed

SECURITY cameras have been placed around the area where takeaway delivery driver Simon San was taunted and killed by a teenager.

Mr San, 40, died in August after being hit with a single blow to the face, which caused him to stumble backwards and crack his skull outside the Yong Hua Garden takeaway in Lochend Avenue, Edinburgh.

His killer, 16-year-old John Reid, was sentenced to five years’ detention last month at the High Court in Glasgow, where he pleaded guilty to culpable homicide.

The new CCTV cameras have been combined with an increased police presence to deter antisocial behaviour, and local business owners say they have noticed a drop in groups of underage drinkers around the area.

Peter Swanson, manager of the Loch Inn pub next to the spot where Mr San lost his life, said: “It is definitely an encouraging start, but it should have happened years ago, not because of a death.

Thieves target Edinburgh’s exclusive homes

By Clare Carswell

EDINBURGH thieves have targeted one of the city’s most expensive streets in a spate of burglaries.

 Police believe that drug addicts are responsible for a series of break-ins on Ann Street, in the up-market Stockbridge area of the capital where houses often fetch £1million when sold. 

In less than three weeks four A-listed homes have been burgled and the thieves have made off with jewellery and cash.

One house was even hit twice within that three week period, while homes in neighbouring streets, Danube Street and Upper Dean Terrace were also robbed. 

Family play park forced to explain gypsy sign

By Christine Lavelle

A CHILDREN’S play park is being forced to add signs to a medieval fortress giving a historical explanation of why gypsies used to be put in the stocks – after a member of the public took offence at one of its props.

Grant Bell, managing director of East Links Family Park in Dunbar, East Lothian, said he was amazed when he was contacted by police after an angered member of the public wrote to police after visiting the fortress, where kids can pose for a picture in the stocks with a criminal label of either “gypsy” or “thief”.

The complainer claimed the sign singled out a minority group, and was offensive to people who lived their life on the road.

Mr Bell, 47, said: “When the Sergeant phoned to say he was bringing the Chief Inspector down to look at the sign I was dumbfounded.

“I thought this is political correctness gone mad.

Man in hospital after fox chews at his nose and fingers

By Christine Lavelle

A MAN who lay unconscious in a cemetery and had his nose and fingers bitten off is thought to have been savaged by a fox.

The 37-year-old man was discovered by police at St Michael’s Parish Church Cemetery in Inveresk near Musselburgh, in the early hours of Sunday morning.

He was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, where he was said to be recovering from his injuries.

A source told how the victim had lost his nose and two-and-a-half fingers in the brutal attack.

He said: “He was attacked by a fox in a cemetery near Musselburgh as he was lying unconscious.

Man had young boy in car with two kilos of cocaine

By Cara Sulieman

A MAN who was found with two kilos of cocaine in his car boot was driving with a 14 year old in the vehicle when he was stopped by police.

Andrew Logan, 46, was stopped by police on Edinburgh city bypass after they received a tip off about his car.

As soon as he was stopped, Logan confessed to officers and showed them the drugs stashed in a bucket in the boot.

Today at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, Logan pled guilty to supplying cocaine on June 22 this year.

Man dies following car crash into front garden

By Clare Carswell

A MAN has died after crashing his car into a front garden following a suspected heart attack.

The 51 year-old is believed to have suffered a heart attack while behind the wheel of his BMW causing him to veer off the road at Edinburgh’s Drumbrae round-a-bout around 6am today (tues).

His car ploughed through a metal railing and a stone wall before stopping a few feet away from the front door of Meadow Place House at the corner of Meadow Place Road and Corstorphine Road.

Police hunt two youths in connection with robbery and assault

By Clare Carswell

DETECTIVES are hunting two youths following the assault and robbery of a 22 year-old man late on Thursday evening (October 21) in Edinburgh.

Lothian and Borders Police have said that the young man was attacked in the underpass between Calder Road and Calder View at 11pm on Thursday.

The two suspects, both described as white males, aged between 15 and 20 years old, allegedly threatened the man with a knife before demanding his bag and personal belongings.

Special police unit to tackle rape and serious assault cases

By Clare Carswell

A SCOTS police force has set up a crack five-strong team of detectives devoted to cracking rape cases and serious sexual assaults.

The team – based with Lothian and Borders Police – is thought to be the first of its kind in Scotland and if proven a success, could be rolled out elsewhere.

It will operate as a six month pilot under the codename ‘Operation Federal’ to be based at Livingston investigating sex crimes within the West Lothian beat only.

The five CID officers will work exclusively on cases of rape and serious sexual assault regardless of any other breaking major criminal cases in the area.

Motorcyclist dies at scene of crash in Fife

By Christine Lavelle

A MOTORCYCLIST died following emergency CPR from ambulance staff after his bike collided with a car in Fife.

The accident happened at around 5.15pm yesterday (Sat) on the B942 Colinsburgh to Pittenweem road.

Two ambulance crews attended, and were supported by a trauma team from Dundee’s Ninewells Hospital.

Paramedics tried desperately to revive the man, but he was declared deceased at the scene.