Teen charged over Portobello vandalism, hate crime

A 15-YEAR-OLD male has been charged in connection with a spate of vandalism and for a racially motivated hate crime carried out in the Portobello area of Edinburgh earlier this year.
By The Newsroom
Published 10th May 2016, 13:09 BST
Updated 10th May 2016, 14:17 BST

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File picture: Steven Scott TaylorFile picture: Steven Scott Taylor
File picture: Steven Scott Taylor

Several members of the public contacted police on March 11 after a group of youths were seen throwing stones at properties in the Joppa and Coillesdene areas, with one member heard making a racist remark.

Local officers carried out extensive inquiries and successfully traced the teen as part of their investigation on Friday, May 6.

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He was subsequently charged in connection with 11 separate reports of vandalism committed on March 11 and for a racially motivated hate crime.

Inspector Neil Clyde based at Portobello said: “Thanks to the assistance of the local community we have successfully traced and charged a male in connection with a series of vandalism carried out in the Portobello area on March 11.

“He has also been charged with a racially motivated hate crime and referred to the Children’s Reporter.

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“Hate crime is completely unacceptable and we will thoroughly investigate all reports received. Portobello has a thriving and diverse community and we do not tolerate any form of discrimination. Anyone found to be involved in this criminality will be swiftly dealt with and will most likely appear before the courts.”