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Divisional Commanders Message

A New Year brings with it a new Commander, and I am delighted to take this opportunity to introduce myself to you.  After 18 months in charge of the Safer Communities Department at Headquarters, I am taking over as the Divisional Commander of Edinburgh.  During my 23 years with Lothian and Borders Police, I have enjoyed a range of different posts, both in uniform and CID duties, and have previously worked at Howdenhall, St Leonard's, Gayfield, and Leith police stations in the city, as well as postings in Mid, East and West Lothian. I have also been seconded to the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency, based in Strathclyde, for over three years.

I am really looking forward to getting out and about in the city to see for myself the extent of community engagement that is going on every day at a local level. Community Beat Officers are crucial to achieving our aim of understanding and addressing local issues, and I am keen to push ahead with the emphasis on prevention and problem solving approaches.

As in previous years, Edinburgh has hosted a wide range of events over the festive period, and police officers and staff have worked hard to keep crime levels low and anti-social behaviour to a minimum.  The extensive planning for the policing of the Hogmanay celebrations paid off again this year, with the low level of arrests reflecting the good natured atmosphere and friendly relationship between the public and the police.

I look forward to contributing to the policing of this diverse and dynamic city, and maintaining its high attraction as a safe place to live, work and visit.

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Theft Of Your Christmas Presents

Favourite items for thieves are gadgets like mobile phones, laptops, MP3 players and satellite navigation systems.

I’m sure many of you were lucky enough to get one of these items for Christmas.

They are most vulnerable when on view in your car so don’t leave luggage or valuables on display.  Even an old coat or cigarette packet can be a temptation for someone to smash and grab.  Car thieves steal first and think about value later.  Take valuables with you or lock them in the boot out of sight.  Don’t be tempted to hide things under the seats or leave them in the glove box.

Thieves are innovative and latest scams include:

Using a mobile phone with Bluetooth capability to scan your vehicle or home for any items you may have with Bluetooth enabled, then breaking in and helping themselves.  So even though you have gone to the trouble to lock your valuables in the boot, they can be detected.  DISABLE YOUR BLUETOOTH BEFORE YOU LEAVE.

Satellite Navigation systems are highly sought after and criminals look for the sucker mark that is left on the inside of the windscreen when it is removed, then break in on the off chance that you’ve hidden the unit in the car. CLEAN THE TELL TALE MARK AND TAKE YOUR SAT NAV WITH YOU.

And finally…

Picture if you will, a snowy or frosty winter morning in January.  You leave the house to find your car windows frozen so you open up, turn on the engine and fire up the heater.  This may take a while so you retire to the house to finish your cup of coffee. When you return to the car, it’s not there!

Local News

As reported in last months newsletter a 34 year old male was arrested for a number of thefts from and also attempt thefts from cars overnight the 2^nd/3^rd of January.  This male remains in custody pending trial.

In the early hours of the 2^nd a male youth was charged with possession of cannabis following a search on Colinton Road.

Between 26^th December and 6^th January an insecure car parked in Dreghorn Park was entered and property stolen from within.

In the early hours of the 8^th a male was arrested following a disturbance within a house at Latch Park.  The male was subsequently arrested for breach of the peace and charged with this and a number of other connected offences.

Between 12^th and 15^th the clothing bank at Morrisons car park was again targeted, the lock was broken and an unknown quantity of donated clothing stolen from within.

Overnight 15^th 16^th 2 high value Victorian style lanterns were stolen from within the grounds of St Cuthberts Church, Westgarth Avenue.

On the morning of the 31^st following reports of a disturbance within the street at Hailes Grove involving a number of youths Police attended and arrested a youth for a breach of the peace, he was additionally charged with other linked offences.

The shortness of this months newsletter continues to reflect the relative low levels of crime and reported incidents within the area, which I hope is good news for the residents.

If you have any information regarding any of the above incidents please feel free to contact me at Oxgangs Police Station or via my email address listed below.

Thanks PC 4907 Andy Jones
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0131 441 1518

USEFUL NUMBERS

Oxgangs Police Station
0131 449 5991 (FCC)

Community Safety Department
PC Bert Wilson - 0131 622 2429
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West Edinburgh Neighbourhood Action Unit
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0131 442 2626

Confidential or anonymous information on all types of criminal activity can be passed to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Victim Support Helpline
0845 603 9213

The Scottish Helpline for Older Persons
0845 125 9732

Edinburgh Community Mediation Service
Tel: 0131 557 2101

Know the Score (Information and advice on drugs)
0800 587 5879

For matters relating to roads, refuse and vegetation overgrowing the pavements contact the council on 0131 200 2000

AND FINALLY