Getting on top of housebreaking and keyless car theft
It has already been a busy period for Edinburgh’s CID as we target a range of offenders and investigate a number of different crimes that have occurred in the past few weeks and months.
Acquisitive crime and in particular housebreaking and vehicle theft, remain key priorities for us and here in the Capital we have a dedicated investigation team that responds specifically to them.
A trend we saw increasingly towards the end of 2023 was the keyless theft of vehicles using easily acquired technology, which allows criminals to steal high-value vehicles in seconds.
A national response was instigated named Operation Enzone and all Scottish divisions worked closely with specialist internal departments, agencies and the motor industry in an effort to reduce this crime. Thanks to targeted enforcement we have seen a downturn in keyless theft, but we will continue to raise awareness of such offences to help ensure the public don’t become easy targets.
Since the start of 2024 there have been a number of notable court outcomes. On 22 January, 29-year-old Sam Atkins was sentenced to 18 years in prison for the murder of 69-year-old Charles Paul and the serious assault of a woman, both of whom sustained horrific knife wounds.
On 20 February, 39-year-old Joseph Haughian was given five years in prison after throwing a homemade petrol bomb at his victims’ home in Moredun back in 2021. This incident caused significant fear and alarm for those affected and we responded swiftly to ensure the safety of the homeowners and bring Haughian to justice.
On 27 February, John O’Flaherty was given a lifelong restriction order and a minimum five-year prison sentence for sexually assaulting women and girls over the course of 16 years during the 1980s and 90s. The 67-year-old was subject to a major PPU investigation after his survivors came forward. Their evidence highlighted his appalling criminal behaviour and provided detectives with an opportunity to investigate crimes going back 40 years.
We are also now in the planning stage for the summer months, where the Capital’s population will double to around one million people for the start of the Edinburgh International Festival and Fringe.
The majority of those who live, work or visit the city will not be affected by crime, but we must be alive to the fact that enhanced numbers of people can result in an increase in crime. Detectives will work alongside uniformed colleagues from Edinburgh Division and from Police Scotland’s Partnerships, Prevention and Community Wellbeing Unit to tackle issues.