Detectives from Fife Police Division are appealing for information after a caravan and a catering van were set on fire in Kirkcaldy.

Between Friday, 20 August and Friday, 27 August, both trailers, which were stored within a yard near to Torbain Tower, were set on fire and completely destroyed with the cost of the damage estimated to be around £15,000.

A police spokesperson said:

“Although this is a rural area, it can easily be accessed from the Newliston area of Kirkcaldy and I would appeal to anyone who saw anything suspicious, or who has any information that may assist our ongoing enquiry to contact officers through 101 with reference 3603 of 27 August

“Alternatively Crimestoppers may be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.” 

The National Health Service in Fife has now delivered over 519,746 COVID-19 vaccinations. The vaccination programme started in December 2020 and public vaccination clinics were rolled out in February 2021 across the Kingdom.

Over 274,000 first doses have been administered and just under 236,000 second doses.

NHS Fife is encouraging those who have not yet come forward for vaccinations to do so as there is significant scientific and medical evidence that people who are vaccinated are impacted much less seriously if they are infected. With so many businesses and leisure activities opening up again, it is important to reduce the risks associated with this.

The Director of Public Health at NHS Fife, Dr Joy Tomlinson, commented: “The scale of the COVID-19 vaccination programme here in Fife is unlike anything we have ever undertaken. Reaching more than half a million vaccinations is hugely encouraging and we want to thank the people of Fife for their fantastic response to the offer of vaccination, and to the healthcare staff who have worked tirelessly throughout the campaign.

“We continue to see the positive impact of the vaccination programme in helping to reduce spread, reducing hospital admissions and preventing some of the most vulnerable from becoming seriously unwell and requiring treatment in our intensive care units.

“With restrictions now having eased across the country, it’s easy to think that the virus is no longer a threat to our health but that is far from the case, with even some people who are otherwise healthy suffering serious effects after contracting COVID-19.

“Our clinics remain open for those who haven’t been vaccinated or who are more than eight weeks since their first dose. Many clinics operate a drop-in service so it has never been easier to get vaccinated.”

The leadership of Fife Council have committed to welcoming refugees from the conflict in Afghanistan to the region, following the disastrous withdrawal of US and UK troops and the return to power of the Taliban.

Fife Council made a statement saying: “Fife has always played a lead role in welcoming refugees from around the world, and we stand ready to play our part again.

“Prior to this unfolding crisis, Fife had already committed to resettle 10 Afghan families. We’re currently working with other council services and partners including, health, voluntary sector and Police Scotland to see if we can accommodate more families.

“We will be liaising with CoSLA and the Home Office over the next few days to firm up our plans to help Afghan refugees.”

This follows on from comments from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon where she urged the UK Government to go as far as Canada and offer refuge to 20,000 Afghani refugees. The First Minister commented further, saying:

“While the announcement of a UK resettlement scheme for Afghan refugees is welcome in principle, the commitment to 20,000 in ‘long term’ and just 5000 this year is woefully inadequate. I call on UK Gov to go further to meet its responsibilities. The Scottish Government is ready to play a full part.”

Police in Fife are appealing for the help of the public to identify human remains found on an industrial estate in Glenrothes.

The remains were found on Sunday, 27 September, 2020, on the estate in Whitehill Road in the town and extensive enquiries have so far failed to identify who he is.

Work carried out, including forensic and scientific examinations by specialist teams, confirms that the remains are that of a man aged at least 35, potentially older, of slight build and around 5ft 8ins to 5ft 9ins tall. He had lost a number of teeth during his life.

Detective Chief Inspector Kevin Houliston, of Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team (East), said: The death of this man remains unexplained and our enquiries are continuing to find out who he is and how he came to be on the estate.

“There are a number of features that may help us to identify him. He had a surgical plate attached to his ankle and we believe this was fixed to his left ankle during surgery sometime between late 1998 and early 1999. Enquiries thus far have revealed that it is likely he died at least two years ago.

“Officers are in the process of checking all missing persons records in the UK, but he may not have been reported missing and I would urge anyone who can help us to identify this man to come forward.”

Train services have resumed from Edinburgh to Fife after a person was hit by a train between Haymarket and Edinburgh Gateway earlier this evening at around 7pm. It is understood that British Transport Police and emergency services attended the incident.

NEW: Sadly, a person has been hit by a train between Haymarket and Edinburgh Gateway. The line is currently closed while the emergency services attend. ^Megan pic.twitter.com/crVnvnBiaS

— ScotRail (@ScotRail) October 14, 2020

Rail services between Edinburgh and Perth via Fife were delayed until the line reopened at around 8.45pm.

A spokesperson for ScotRail commented: “Services in Edinburgh were subject to delay and alteration today. Sadly, this was due to a person being struck by a train.

“Anyone affected by this incident can contact Samaritans free of charge, any time, from any phone, on 116 123.”

Police in Fife have thanked the public after Cowdenbeath man Christopher Scappaticcio, who was reported missing from the Rosyth area after going to meet a friend, has been traced safe and well.

Mr Scappaticcio (32) had been reported missing after his family expressed concerns when he had failed to contact them.

First Minister Nicola Stugeon confirmed last week that the Scottish Government is “considering” instigating an independent public inquiry into Mossmorran.

Ms Sturgeon’s answer came on the back of questions from the SNP’s Annabelle Ewing MSP, who is the constituency member for Cowdenbeath and Mark Ruskell MSP who is a Green regional list member.

Ms Ewing asked the First Minister to ensure that the Scottish Government considered “all available options to bring such blatant disregard by the operator for interests of the local community to an end”.

Ms Sturgeon said she could “completely understand the community concerns in relation to this issue”, continuing, “I understand the frustration and anger people in the community will feel, and I can hear it expressed on their behalf by Annabelle Ewing today.”

The First Minister went on to add: “SEPA is currently looking at the cause of the flaring and how it was managed over the full duration of the incident.

“The concerns locally are clear and well understood both by government and by regulators and the Crown Office is currently considering a report submitted by SEPA into a previous incident of flaring.

“I hope it is an indication of the seriousness with which SEPA is treating flaring incidents at the plant.”

The First Minister also responded to Mr Ruskell saying: “I will, as a result of Mark Ruskell’s question, have a further discussion with Roseanna Cunningham about the call for an inquiry and about any further action we can take, or support and encourage SEPA to take.

“It’s not any help to people who are living with this, I understand that, for me to say I understand what they’re saying.

“But there are processes, legal processes, that we cannot simply cast aside, both from SEPA and from the Crown Office.”

Jacob McAlister, plant manager of Fife Ethylene Plant, apologised on Wednesday last week for the flaring.

He said: “As previously advised, the issue was caused by a faulty part on our compressor. This resulted in our safety systems isolating the machine and routing gas via the flare.

“Our teams identified and replaced the part and then conducted comprehensive checks to ensure a safe and reliable re-start of the machine.

“We will finalise our own investigation into the root cause but can confirm that, contrary to misinformation, weather was not a contributing factor.”

Police Scotland are seeking the assistance of the public in trying to locate a man missing from the Cowdenbeath area of Fife.

Christopher Scappaticcio (32) was last seen by his brother at about 1140 hours on Sunday 11 October 2020, near the shop on Sherbrooke Road, Rosyth, where he stated he was going to see a friend called Aaron. Christopher has not been seen since, and his family have been unable to contact him. He has various links to the Cowdenbeath/Lochgelly areas.

Christopher is described as white, 6’2 inches in height, medium build, short brown hair, and was last seen wearing a full grey Tracksuit and a black cap.

Sergeant Derek Radcliffe said: “I am appealing to anyone who may know Christopher, or who may have seen or spoke with him since Sunday 11 October to contact Police. His family are becoming concerned that Christopher has not been in contact, and want to know that he is safe and well. If anyone has any information or knowledge to Christopher’s whereabouts, please contact us.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0957 of Monday, 12 October, 2020.

Police in Fife are investigating a fire at the Old Viewforth High School in the Loughborough Road area of Kirkcaldy.

Emergency services were called to the fire around 7.50pm on Saturday, 15 August. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service extinguished the fire and nobody was injured in the incident.

Anyone with information or CCTV footage that could assist the investigation is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 3859 of 15 August.

The Duloch Spiderman, aka Dave Roper is running between the Sick Kids Hospital in Edinburgh and the Sick Kids Hospital in Glasgow for charity.

The total distance is 49 miles and it is the first time he has attempted to run quite so far, his previous best being 25 miles. He is running double marathon distance and told us that he predicted it would likely take somewhere between nine and twelve hours but that he would “just be glad to finish”.

Three weeks ago he ran from Fife to Edinburgh Sick Kids Hospital along with the other Fife Superheroes and raised £11.5k in donations.

The Duloch Spiderman commented:

“I was conscious that I had run to benefit the Sick Kids in Edinburgh previously and wanted to acknowledge the excellent work done by both Edinburgh and Glasgow Sick Kids Hospitals in a huge event. I also wanted to do something to mark end of lockdown and a return to something closer to normality.” 

If you would like to help the current fundraising effort, please click the link below:

Link to Fundraising Site