Six teens charged after alleged deliberate fire at historic Scots wildlife site
The blaze at Portlethen Moss in Aberdeenshire happened on Saturday.
Six teenage boys have been charged in connection with an alleged deliberate fire at a historic peat bog. The blaze at Portlethen Moss, near Portlethen, Aberdeenshire happened on Saturday.
Emergency services were called to an open area of land at about 4.25pm and the blaze was extinguished at 9.30pm. The six boys, aged either 13 or 14, will be reported to Youth Justice Management Unit in connection with the incident.
There were no reports of injuries from the incident that police described as "wilful", but the force issued a warning to the public about the risk of wildfires in dry weather.
local community for their concern.
A post reads: "The scene the day after the fire. A huge thankyou to our emergency services for fighting the fire for a few hours in yesterday's heat to contain it, they did an amazing job.
"Thank you to everyone in the community who expressed their concern for the wildlife and who obviously love the moss as we do.
"Also thank you to the person who alerted the emergency services, when I called they were already on their way."
The blaze came after fire chiefs issued a very high risk warning for wildfires across Scotland. The warning was in place from Saturday morning until today, Monday, May 12.
SFRS Wildfire Lead Michael Humphreys said: "We are asking the public to exercise extreme caution and think twice before using anything involving a naked flame.
"Many rural and remote communities are hugely impacted by wildfires, which can cause significant damage.
"Livestock, farmland, wildlife, protected woodland and sites of special scientific interest can all be devastated by these fires - as can the lives of people living and working in rural communities.
"These fires can also have a hugely negative impact on the environment and the release of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere.
"Human behaviour can significantly lower the chance of a wildfire starting, so it is crucial that people act safely and responsibly in rural environments and always follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code."
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Inspector James Nicholson, of Police Scotland, said: 'This incident had a significant impact in the area and I'd like to thank the local community and emergency service partners for their assistance.
'With the recent dry weather there is already a higher risk of wildfires and emergency services are extremely busy. I'd urge everyone to consider their actions and the implications they may have.'
It comes as fire crews have spent three days battling a wildfire in West Lothian. The blaze took hold in Fauldhouse, near Whitburn, on Saturday morning.
As of Monday morning, fire crews were still on the scene.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Glasgow Times
29 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
Greg Monks' family say they believe he 'got lost' in Portugal
Greg Monks was reported missing after leaving the main strip in Albufeira in the Algarve region during the early hours of May 28. The 38-year-old had arrived in the resort town the day before for a stag do. The last official sighting of Greg was at around 3.27am on May 28 as he walked past a property in Cerro de Aguia. According to Google Maps, this area is around an hour and 20 minutes walk from the main strip. Police launched a major search to trace Greg, but on June 4, officers confirmed the body of a man, a 38-year-old British citizen, had been discovered on vacant land in Cerro de Aguia. Greg's mum, girlfriend, and cousin – who had flown out to join the search - will return to Scotland today (June 9) without him, with the repatriation process 'set to take days', the Daily Record reports. Jillian Monks, Greg's sister, stated that the family 'will never truly know the full story' but that they believe he 'got lost'. READ NEXT: £25k raised to bring Greg Monks home from Portugal She said: 'We don't believe that anything untoward happened. Everything the police have told us adds up. 'We'll never truly know the full story. But we believe he just got lost and ended up at the wrong place at the wrong time. 'It brings us some comfort knowing that Greg had all his belongings on him. He wasn't robbed, he still had his phone and his wallet. 'He had all his cards and cash.' We previously reported that a GoFundMe page was initially launched to support the search but had instead been updated to help the family bring Greg home and to plan his funeral. It has so far raised £34,000. Ms Monks highlighted that the family now 'has some sense of closure' as they plan to bring her beloved brother home this weekend. READ NEXT: Family pay tribute to Cole Cooper as body found in search She added: 'The generosity and support have been incredible. We're hoping to bring Greg home by the weekend. His mum, girlfriend, and cousin are going to fly home tonight. 'They wanted to fly back with him, but it has just not been possible. It has been the toughest time of our lives. 'We still can't believe this has happened, but we're glad we now have some sense of closure. I don't know if any of us could have coped with even another day searching for my brother. 'I think it just shows in places like Albufeira, everyone needs to stick together and look after each other. 'His pals are absolutely devastated at what happened. Before everyone left the hotel that night, Greg made sure they all had a business card and a map from the hotel to help them find their way home. 'That's the kind of person he was.' Ms Monks further shared her family's anger over how they discovered Greg had died. She commented: 'I knew Greg had been found before my mum and dad were told officially by police in Portugal. 'They were waiting in a police station to meet with officers when their phones went off with notifications to say Greg had been found. 'It is shocking that this was allowed to happen.'
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Armed officer sues Police Scotland over suspension after TikTok Tallia Storm incident
Steven Jones is taking Police Scotland to court after being suspended over an incident involving singer Tallia Storm. A firearms officer is taking legal action against Police Scotland alleging he was unfairly suspended after footage of an "incident" was shared on TikTok. Steven Jones, 35, appeared before an employment tribunal in Edinburgh on Monday, June 9, where he is suing the force for sex discrimination. Mr Jones claims his actions were unfairly labelled 'misogynistic' and that he was penalised due to Police Scotland management's concerns about the armed response unit being seen as having a 'boys' club mentality'. The tribunal heard that the incident occurred on March 1, 2024, when a video posted by Scottish singer Tallia Storm showed Mr Jones and his colleague stepping out of their marked police vehicle on Edinburgh's Cowgate to take a photo with her. In the footage, Mr Jones can be seen taking the picture while his partner poses with Storm, reports EdinburghLive. Mr Jones told the tribunal he was later 'chastised' by senior officers who described his conduct as 'misogynistic' and criticised him for stopping in a busy pedestrian and traffic area. He said the force reacted negatively due to public backlash over the video. He believes he was treated unfairly because of 'past instances of misogyny' involving other officers in the firearms unit, and that his own actions were wrongly framed in that context. He told the tribunal: "Because of the word 'misogyny,' it made me feel it was because I as a male interacting with a female that it was viewed through that lens. If a member of the other sex had that interaction, it wouldn't have happened." His solicitor, Mr Merck, referenced a previous high-profile case involving female firearms officer Rhona Malone, who received nearly £1 million in compensation after an employment tribunal ruled she had been victimised by the force on the basis of her sex. Mr Jones believes that case influenced how his own behaviour was judged. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. He said: "It really surprised me. I was extremely upset and shocked because I knew I had to disclose to my partner what I had been accused of and explain to my family." At the time of the incident, Mr Jones and his colleague were on "parliament duty," patrolling areas around the Scottish Parliament including the Cowgate and Grassmarket. While driving through Cowgate, they encountered a large crowd and slowed the vehicle. Mr Jones said he then recognised Tallia Storm in the crowd. "I knew who she was due to the publicity and her being the Capital DJ host at the time. She was on the side of trams and buses," he said. He and his partner left the vehicle — which held secured firearms — for what he estimated to be about a minute, possibly less. Mr Jones claimed the singer was "ecstatic" about the photo opportunity and added: "There was no rude behaviour or catcalling. I present myself courteously and was calm in the situation. We engaged in conversation to ascertain that a Q&A was being held. It looked like she was making her way over. We very quickly introduced ourselves, it was a polite interaction." He said that throughout the encounter, they ensured their police vehicle remained secure. Despite this, Mr Jones was later suspended — a sanction he believes was disproportionate. He told the tribunal: "It is our job to engage with people. We don't police with fear, we police by good interactions with the public. The last thing I'd ever want is the public to fear the police and to fear me. I always speak to people as a human being. I meet them where they are." Mr Jones joined Police Scotland in March 2017 and completed his authorised firearms officer training in June 2023. He told the tribunal he had ambitions of becoming a national firearms instructor and had been encouraged to apply for a role in counterterrorism. But since the incident, he says he has been demoted to a desk-based role, handling "low-level daily calls" — a stark contrast to his previous work dealing with "very high risk incidents" and high-stakes decision making within the firearms unit. The five-day tribunal, overseen by Employment Judge Amanda Jones, continues.
Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Daily Record
Scots flats locked down and man arrested after 'potentially hazardous materials' found
Firefighters in specialist hazmat suits and forensic teams were seen entering the block of flats, where a tent was set up as officers gathered resources. A man has been arrested following the discovery of potentially hazardous materials in Aberdeen. Around 8.30am on Monday, June 9, officers executed a warrant at flats on Cadenhead Place in the Kittybrewster area of the city. Emergency crews locked down the street amid concerns over the substances. Firefighters in specialist hazmat suits and forensic teams were seen entering the block of flats, where a tent was set up as officers gathered resources. Officers have confirmed that chemical items were recovered and a 33-year-old man has been arrested. Police have said there is no risk to the wider public. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. Police Scotland said: 'A 33-year-old man has been arrested following the discovery of potentially hazardous materials in the Kittybrewster area of Aberdeen. "Around 8.30am on Monday, 9 June, 2025, officers executed a warrant at a property on Cadenhead Place."Emergency services attended and chemical items were recovered."There is no risk to the wider public. Enquiries are ongoing."
