Edinburgh crime: 7 crimes which shook Edinburgh and the Lothians in 2022 - including Niddrie riots and Peter Coshan death

A look at the crimes which shook Edinburgh in 2022

By Rhoda Morrison

Published 30th Dec 2022, 04:45 BST

Several crimes in 2022 shook communities in Edinburgh and the Lothians, with police having investigated a double death, Bonfire Night riots and multiple attacks by a balaclava gang.

Here are seven crimes which hit the headlines this year and shocked those in Edinburgh and further afield.

These are 7 of the crimes which rocked communities in Edinburgh and beyond in 2022.

1. Crimes that shook Edinburgh

These are 7 of the crimes which rocked communities in Edinburgh and beyond in 2022. Photo: Submitted

On November 1, Derek Johnston (left) and Desmond Rowlings were found dead inside a flat in Greendykes Road.
The bodies of the men, who were aged 37 and 66 respectively, were discovered by officers who had responded to a call at the address. The families of Derek and Desmond said they would be “forever missed and remembered with love”.
Two men were later arrested and charged and appeared in court accused of two counts of murder.

2. Greendykes Road deaths

On November 1, Derek Johnston (left) and Desmond Rowlings were found dead inside a flat in Greendykes Road. The bodies of the men, who were aged 37 and 66 respectively, were discovered by officers who had responded to a call at the address. The families of Derek and Desmond said they would be “forever missed and remembered with love”. Two men were later arrested and charged and appeared in court accused of two counts of murder. Photo: Submitted

Armed police swooped on Ferry Road Drive in Edinburgh, in July after a hit-and-run crash which left a man seriously injured.
The 24-year-old had been riding his motorbike in the street when he was hit by a black Fiat Panda. The occupants of the car then fled the scene.
Detectives later confirmed they had launched an attempted murder investigation.

3. Ferry Road Drive hit-and-run

Armed police swooped on Ferry Road Drive in Edinburgh, in July after a hit-and-run crash which left a man seriously injured. The 24-year-old had been riding his motorbike in the street when he was hit by a black Fiat Panda. The occupants of the car then fled the scene. Detectives later confirmed they had launched an attempted murder investigation. Photo: PA

Riots broke out in Niddrie on Bonfire Night as balaclava-clad youths on motorbikes lit a fire in the middle of a road, aimed fireworks at residents and attacked emergency services vehicles.
Footage taken at the scene shows masked youths riding through the residential area, with fireworks being thrown close to where people were standing. Pieces of a temporary bus stop were also dragged into the road.
On the night, Police Scotland had asked residents to remain indoors and urged members of the public to avoid the area.

4. Bonfire Night riots

Riots broke out in Niddrie on Bonfire Night as balaclava-clad youths on motorbikes lit a fire in the middle of a road, aimed fireworks at residents and attacked emergency services vehicles. Footage taken at the scene shows masked youths riding through the residential area, with fireworks being thrown close to where people were standing. Pieces of a temporary bus stop were also dragged into the road. On the night, Police Scotland had asked residents to remain indoors and urged members of the public to avoid the area. Photo: Rhoda Morrison