Crime update

Nov 19 2008 by Charlie Rowney, Wishaw Press

A NUMBER of youngsters have been reported in relation to vandalism and reckless conduct in the Newmains area.

The nine youths are alleged to have been responsible for 17 attacks on buses and vehicles in the Westwood Road area of Newmains over the past few weeks.

An increased police presence in the area, featuring high visibility foot patrols and bicycle patrols along with the use of plain-clothes officers has resulted in the detection of some of the youths.

Area Inspector Kenny Graham said this week: “Our officers will continue to react to local issues as they arise.

“The acts of vandalism in the area have caused some concern locally and I would encourage the public to be vigilant and report anything untoward to their local police office.”

Some of those detected will be reported to the Reporter of the Children’s Panel, while others will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal.

POLICE are trying to trace a pair of females who attacked two women and tried to steal their bags.

On Tuesday, November 4, at around 5.40pm, a 26-year-old woman was walking in Watson Street, Motherwell, when she was approached by two teenage females.

One of the females attempted to steal the woman’s bag.

The woman managed to hold onto her bag and both suspects then punched her, causing her to fall to the ground.

Both suspects continued to assault the woman before making off empty-handed.

Around ten minutes later at 5.50pm, a 59-year-old woman was leaving her car outside Anderson Tower when she was approached by two females.

One of them grabbed the woman’s bag and both ran off. Three youths who were nearby gave chase to the suspects and returned with the woman’s bag.

The suspects are described as aged 15 to 16 years old.

One was 5ft 6in tall and had dark hair.

She was wearing a black-and-white checked jacket, jeans and trainers.

The other suspect had blonde hair and was wearing a light-coloured top, possibly a puffa-style jacket.

Any person with information relating to these incidents should contact PC Keegan at Motherwell Police Office on (01698) 483000.

Police are particularly keen to talk with the youths who retrieved the second woman’s bag as they may be able to provide further details of the females.

THREE men were arrested and will be the subject of a report to the Procurator Fiscal following a robbery at the Wishawhill Store in Ochil Street, Wishaw.

The males, aged 22, 20 and 20, allegedly entered the shop and assaulted the shopkeeper out of the way before helping themselves to bottles of wine.

But the quick thinking of two local youths assisted police in apprehending one of the males as they ran from the shop.

Police carried out further local enquiries and traced the remaining two males to a house nearby, where they were duly arrested.

The incident occurred at around 6.20pm on Wednesday, November 12.

Area Inspector Kenny Graham said: “Our officers were quickly on the scene and were grateful for the assistance of the public with the speedy apprehension of one male and providing information as to the whereabouts of the other two males.”

A NEWMAINS pizzeria was broken into last week.

Thieves broke into the premises overnight Sunday into Monday, November 9 and 10, stealing cash, charity boxes and a quantity of sweets and juice.

The incident took place at Pizza a Carte in Manse Road, Newmains.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Constable David Kearney at Wishaw Police Office or alternatively call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

POLICE are appealing for witnesses to a housebreaking at Coltness High School between 4.15pm on Tuesday, November 11, and 6.30am the following morning.

The thieves made off with a Dell laptop and a quantity of power tools from the technical department.

Any information should go to Constable Billy Sloan at the Community Police Room at Wishaw Police Office.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A RECENT one-day warrants initiative carried out in Wishaw, Motherwell and Bellshill saw more than 30 warrants being executed.

Carried out on Wednesday November 12, the North Lanarkshire-wide initiative saw a total of 12 apprehension warrants and 26 means enquiry warrants executed

Of the 67 warrants executed across North Lanarkshire, a total of £4507 was recovered.

Warrants initiatives such as this have proved to be successful in apprehending those persons responsible for committing crimes.

A MAN has been reported in connection with a number of thefts of electrical equipment.

The 37-year-old local male will be the subject of a report to the Procurator Fiscal for a number of alleged criminal offences in the Wishaw and Shotts areas.

The male is believed to be responsible for the theft of electrical equipment at Wishaw Health Centre and Wishaw General Hospital and other car-related crimes whuich have been committed over the past few weeks.

A report has been sent to the Procurator Fiscal.

POLICE are appealing for information after a youth stole a charity collection tin.

At around 3.30pm on Saturday, November 8, a man entered the GLO Centre in Muir Street, Motherwell.

He picked up a charity box containing money from the counter area and ran off, pursued by staff. The male ran towards Hope Street and escaped.

He is described as aged 16 to 17-years-old, 5ft 8in, and of medium build. He was wearing a black jacket, beige baseball cap and bright red trousers.

Any person with information relating to this incident should contact PC Gillies at Motherwell Police Office.