Police have arrested and charged an 18-year-old man for over twenty offences committed under the Wireless Telegraphy Act.
The crimes, which included offensive remarks, took place between June 2014 and January 2015. They related to interference with communications on private radio networks that caused disruption to various locations in the Capital, including Edinburgh Airport and Edinburgh Castle.
As a result of five months of partnership investigation between the local Community Policing Team, Ofcom and the British Transport Police, an address at Craigmillar was searched on Monday (February 9) and equipment was recovered.
The matter is now being reported to the Procurator Fiscal.
Inspector Murray Starkey said: “This type of crime may appear relatively low risk, however, the impact has caused genuine concern for the individuals and organisations involved, as well as significant disruption to their daily business.
“Our joint investigations have led to a man being charged with over twenty offences. This demonstrates the value of our partnership with Ofcom and is an example to others that perpetrators of these crimes will be traced and held to account.”
Mark Walls, Ofcom Spectrum Engineering and Enforcement Director, said: “Deliberately interfering with private radio networks can cause severe disruption and distress. We worked closely with the Community Policing Team and the British Transport Police to thoroughly investigate and bring the illegal interference to an end.”
Anyone who has further information about these crimes is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101.
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
