LOTHIAN AND BORDERS POLICE
Dear Reader
Here is an interim newsletter with some additional information about ongoing initiatives and an appeal relating to bogus callers.
Scotland's first Alcohol Awareness Week runs from 21 - 27 October 2007, and is one of the initiatives under the Government's partnership agreement with the alcohol industry. It is a joint programme of events in which Government, the alcohol industry, health professionals and the voluntary sector are working together to provide useful information to members of the public and promote a joined up message about responsible consumption of alcohol.
More information on this weeks campaigne can be found at
and additional information on safe drinking can be found at
Police are hunting a pair of bogus callers who have struck five times over the past two days at homes in Edinburgh and East Lothian.
The two men have gained entry to homes by claiming to be CID officers offering free safety deposit boxes. Once inside, they ask the homeowner to show them any valuable items, such as jewellery, that they may keep in the house.
They first struck yesterday (Sunday October 21) at a house in the Restalrig area of Edinburgh at around 11.30pm, stealing a purse after gaining entry to the property.
The next incident occurred shortly after, at Westbank Loan, and again at 12.30pm, at Coillesdene Grove.
Later on, at around 2.50pm, a man called at an address in Windsor Park, Musselburgh, again pretending to be a CID officer. On this occasion, a handbag was stolen.
Today (October 22) two men called at an address in Davidson Terrace, Haddington, at around 11.20am, again gaining access to the property by pretending to be from the police.
The first suspect is described as white, 5ft 8ins tall, 36 to 45 years, with a tanned complexion and short, dark hair. He has slight stubble, and wears a blue jacket and grey/brown trousers.
The second man is described as white, 6ft tall, 23 to 30 years, with fair hair. He was wearing a brown jacket.
A spokesman for Lothian and Borders Police said: 'We would urge homeowners to be on their guard against these two men, who are pretending to be from the police in order to gain entry to people's homes.
'We are keen to track them down before they strike again, and we would appeal to anyone with information to contact us.
'In the meantime, anyone who receives a visit from these two men should not let them into their home, and call police immediately.'
Anyone with information should contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.
The manner in which criminals work in order to defraud you and I is getting ever more elaborate and postal and internet scams are on the increase.
There are a few scams which are fairly common which you should make yourselves aware of.
I have just touched on a number of scams but a full brochure on a lot more can be downloaded at HERE
Additionally the Office of Fair Trading has an online resource relating to Christmas Savings schemes. This can be downloaded here.
If you have any information relating to any of the incidents / crimes please contact myself PC 4219-A Mike Smith at Balerno Police station on telephone number 0131 449 5991 or alternatively email adivcbooxgangs-balerno@lbp.pnn.police.uk. This is a shared mailbox; please ensure you clearly state the intended recipient in the subject line.
PC 4219-A Mike Smith
Community Beat Officer ward 02
Balerno Police Station.