Six arrested in North Edinburgh on theft and road traffic offences

Six men aged between 16 and 47 have been arrested and charged in connection with number of theft and road traffic offences in the North Edinburgh area and four stolen bikes have also been recovered.

Between Wednesday, October 5 and Thursday, October 6, as part of a day of action for Operation Soteria, Edinburgh Division’s response to theft of motorcycles from across the area, resulted in arrests. 

All six men were reported to the Procurator Fiscal.  One man has subsequently pled guilty and has been sentenced to eight months in prison.

As part of the day of action local community officers were assisted by several national Police Scotland resources, including the Roads Policing Unit, the Violence Reduction Unit and the Police Scotland helicopter.

Between June and September 2016 police have arrested 27 separate offenders have been charged with 129 theft and anti-social behaviour motorbike related offences.

Offices are also working with Edinburgh City Council to target offenders through use of anti-social behaviour legislation or exploring housing sanctions on those who commit anti-social behaviour in their local areas. 

Chief Inspector Jimmy Jones, Area Commander of North West Edinburgh, said:  “These arrests demonstrate our ongoing commitment to Operation Soteria and the combat of anti-social behaviour and motorbike related crimes.

“In the coming months we will be working with our partners in local government and the justice sector to ensure that we tackle this type of criminality head on.

“Motorcycle owners can also help a great deal by ensuring they make it harder for their property to be taken by taking necessary crime prevention precautions in terms of parking and securing their bikes.

“However, to fully tackle this issue, we need the support of local of the community in North Edinburgh.  I would ask anyone with information regarding motorcycle related offending to share that information with us and help us and rid Edinburgh of this dangerous and disruptive crime.”

Those wishing to report anti-social behaviour or motorbike related crime can contact Police Scotland on 101 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.