CENTRAL SCOTLAND POLICE
MORE than £60,000 of cocaine has been seized from a car on one of Scotland’s busiest roads.
The car was stopped on the M9 near Stirling on Friday at around 8.40pm.
A police spokeswoman said: “Officers on routine patrol made the arrest after the vehicle came to their attention. The man was due to appear in court today in connection with drugs offences.”
CALLERS claiming to be from the police have targeted two elderly residents in Stirling.
The pensioners, a man aged 72 and a woman aged 82, were duped into handing over their bank details after the caller told them their details had been used fraudulently and had thousands of pounds was taken from them.
Detective Inspector Ronnie Isles, leading the investigation, said: “These victims have each been defrauded of a five figure sum of cash by men claiming to be police officers and stating they were there to help them after an alleged fraud.
“Neither police officers nor bank staff would ask for bank details over the phone or come to your home, and I have to stress to residents that they should never divulge these details to a third party.
“No matter who someone claims to be over the phone, or at your door, refuse to pass on any information to them. Contact the police immediately and make a point of contacting your bank in person to ensure your account hasn’t been accessed.
“These latest incidents are particularly despicable as they are using the trust that local residents have for their police force to gather information from them and commit crime against them and I would ask that anyone who can help us with our enquiries comes forward.”
On both occasions the man involved in collecting the cards from the victims is described as being of Asian appearance. He has been described by one of the victims as being slim, around 6’3″ in height with dark stubble and short black hair. He is around 30-years-old with no visible tattoos and may have been wearing a light / greyish blue boiler suit.
Anyone who can assist with information is asked to contact Central Scotland Police on 01786 456000, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where anonymity can be maintained.
DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY POLICE
A MAN has been seriously injured in a car crash in Dumfries.
The 58-year-old was travelling along the A701 at Shieldhill when he was hit by a 21-year-old man driving a BMW 318.
The victim, who was driving a red Citroen ZX, suffered serious injuries and was taken to Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary where he is in a serious but stable condition.
The driver of the BMW was unharmed but will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal in relation to dangerous driving.
A 21-YEAR-OLD Dumfries woman will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal in relation to fire-raising following a fire on Barrie Avenue on Thursday 15 September.
A CRASH barrier was struck on the A76 near Glenairlie Bridge, Sanquhar sometime before 8.40am on Monday 26 September.
Anyone who seen the vehicle responsible for the damage is asked to contact police.
THREE cars have been damaged in Dumfries.
A Renault Espace, A Vauxhall Vectra and a Peugeot 407 all sustained damage to their petrol caps whilst parked on Irongray Road sometime between 8pm on Saturday 24 and 8am on Monday 26 September.
POLICE are hunting a dog owner after her animal grabbed a toddler’s sleeve.
The Jack Russell grabbed the two-year-old’s clothing but luckily did not have hold of the toddler’s arm.
The incident occurred on Munches Street, Dumfries near to Chancers Nightclub at around 10am on Monday 26 September.
The female owner of the dog is described as being in her late 40’s, with a medium build and short dark hair. She was wearing glasses and had a local accent
A DOG has been mysteriously injured after escaping from its owner.
Staffordshire bull terrier was discovered injured on Dunlop Road, Dumfries at around 11.10am on Monday 26 September
The dog had a number of cuts and a bigger gash to its body. A vet was called to treat the animal’s injuries.
Anyone who knows how the dog received the injuries is asked to contact police.
POLICE are looking to speak to witnesses who saw a vehicle driving erraticly through Annan.
The black coloured Sukuki Vitara travelled between McNeish Drive, Silverlaw and the garages near Dykes Avenue at around 9pm on Monday 26 September.
The vehicle was seen in Tweedie Terrace and entering Kennels Road not long beforehand and was later recovered after the incident.
Anyone who seen this vehicle prior to or during the incident is asked to contact police.
A BIKE was stolen from outside a property on Walltrees Road, Thornhill sometime between 7.30pm and 9.30pm on Monday 26 September.
FIFE POLICE
POLICE in Fife have set up a football league to keep local youths out of trouble.
The “midnight football league” has been set up with the help of the Scottish Football Association.
Based at an all-weather pitch in Rosyth, the games are aimed 11 to 14 year olds.
The league will run every Friday night between 7pm and 9pm until November 4.
Community Sergeant Tony Rogers said: “Staff from the SFA will be on hand to run the games and provide expert coaching. Teams of any size and all levels of ability are welcomed although you don’t need to be part of a team to come along.
“The coaching and games are free, so if you are looking for something to do on Friday evenings please do come along and even if you don’t want to play you can still come along and offer your support. You don’t need to bring anything with you, but sportswear is advisable although football boots are not required.”
FIFE Police have appointed a new leader to their pipe band after their pipe major decided to emigrate to Australia.
Current Pipe Sergeant, Drew Mathieson, will take over from James Murray, who has been Pipe-Major since the band was established in 2007 and is emigrating to Australia early next year.
James has led the band to success during the past four competition seasons, improving in each of the years, with 2011 being a breakthrough year when it achieved its first ever placements in major competition prize lists by taking sixth at the Scottish Championships and fifth at European level.
Since it was established, the band has qualified for the World Championship finals each year, achieving a prequalification in 2011 when the band finished eighth overall.
James said: “I would like to thank all the members for their efforts over the last few years and also give a big thanks to Fife Constabulary for their support and the opportunity to lead the pipe band. This is the right and proper time for the band to have a new pipe major and allow them to prepare properly for the forthcoming season”.
Drew, who was appointed by the Pipe Band committee, said : “I am sorry to see Jimmy go, but wish him and his family all the best, however I am delighted to be given the opportunity to lead Fife Constabulary pipe band and hopefully move forward from where Jimmy has left us. He will be a hard man to replace but along with our leading drummer Mick O’Neill, I will give it my best shot”.
Band manager Inspector Ken Chatham, said: “We would like to thank Jimmy Murray for his service and commitment to the band and wish him and his family well in their future adventures.
“Jimmy has created a world-class band and leaves us in a great position. He will be sorely missed; the band and Fife Constabulary wish him and his family all the best”
The band has support from Fife Constabulary Executive, and a solid business structure is in place to ensure the smooth running of the band activities. It is funded through the profits from a staff lottery and income from playing at public events, and receives no public funds.
Pipers and drummers of a standard likely to complement the already established players in the band are invited to join. Anyone interested should contact the band manager, Ken Chatham via the police website at www.fife.police.uk
LOTHIAN AND BORDERS POLICE
VANDALS have damaged two charity vans in Bathgate.
The Peugeot Expert vehicles re used to deliver food to elderly and vulnerable people in West Lothian.
Both vehicles were parked within the Food Train premises at the Waverly Industrial Estate were targeted sometime between 5pm yesterday (Monday) and 7.15am today (Tuesday).
Staff for the charity turned up for work this morning and noticed the vehicles had been broken into and suffered substantial damage to their interiors as well as having all of their tyres slashed.
The damage is estimated to be around £1000.
Police are now urging anyone who witnessed anything suspicious to come forward.
A police spokesman said: “This has been a mindless destruction of two vans, which are essential in delivering food to elderly and vulnerable members of the West Lothian community.
“Staff have been left sickened by this incident and officers are keen to speak with anyone who saw any suspicious activity in or around the Waverly Industrial Estate.
“Similarly, anyone with information that can assist officers with their investigation is also asked to contact police immediately.”
A MAN has suffered a broken jaw after being attacked outside a pub.
The 23-year-old victim was punched in the face following an argument with a man and a woman at around 12.25am on Sunday.
The pair made off following the Gorgie Road assault.
The victim was taken to St John’s Hospital where he was treated for a broken jaw.
Police are now asking anyone who witnessed the attack to come forward.
The male suspect has short blond hair and was wearing a white t-shirt.
The woman has light-coloured hair.
A police spokesman said: ‘The victim has suffered serious injury to his jaw and we are now carrying out local enquiries to identify the man responsible and the woman who was also involved in the argument.
‘Anyone who was in the area at the time of the assault and saw anything suspicious is asked to contact police immediately.
‘We would also be keen to hear from anyone who can help identify the suspects or who has any other information that can assist with our enquiries.’
NORTHERN CONSTABULARY
A SEARCH has resumed for a missing fisherman in the Highlands.
Steven Matheson, 55, was last seen around midday on Sunday.
He was visiting family in the Clachtoll area of Lochinver and his black Nissan Almera was found near Stoer Lodge, an area where he was known to fish.
The alarm was raised on Monday and a search of the Stoer area of Lochinver was carried out by Stornoway Coastguard helicopter, Lochinver Lifeboat, Lochinver Coastguard Ground Crew, and Police. This search has so far failed to trace the missing person and further searches are to start this morning.
Stephen is described as being about 5’10”, slim build, short black hair, clean shaven and was believed to have been last seen wearing a dark blue waterproof jacket, black jeans and black wellington boots.
Anyone with any information or knowledge as to Stephen Matheson’s whereabouts or observed him or his vehicle in the Lochinver area, particularly on Sunday 25 or Monday 26 September 2011 is asked to contact Dornoch Police Station on 01862 810222.
TAYSIDE POLICE
A WOMAN who died after being found with serious injuries in Arbroath has been named as Joanne Rennie.
A POLISH man has gone missing from his Monifeith home.
TWO teenagers have been charged following a suspicious fire in Dundee.
The fire started in a derelict building in Donald’s Lane in the Lochee area of the city on Monday.
Tayside Fire and Rescue put out the fire and there were no injuries. The cost of the damage has not yet been established.
A report will be submitted to the relevant authorities in due course.
