Four arrested and homes raided as police tackle Edinburgh gang war

Four people have been arrested and five homes raided as police tackle Edinburgh’s ongoing gang war.

It comes after guns were fired and deliberate blazes set across the capital in a feud between rival criminal groups.

On Wednesday, divisional officers supported by organised crime, counter terrorism, and firearms officers, executed warrants at five addresses.

A number of items relevant to the investigation – including a stolen Range Rover – were seized at four homes.

A second home has been shot at in Edinburgh in two days amid investigations into an ongoing gang war on March 23. STV News

A 28-year-old man was arrested and charged with threatening and abusive behaviour following an incident on Thursday, March 20, and he is due to appear in Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Thursday.

Following the raids, a 38-year-old man was arrested and charged for reset of a stolen motor vehicle. He is also due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Thursday, April 3.

A 34-year-old woman was also arrested in connection with a stolen vehicle, but was released pending further enquiries.

A 16-year-old was arrested for reset of a stolen vehicle, various road traffic offences, and being in possession of an offensive weapon for incidents which occurred on Friday, March 7.

He has been reported to the Procurator Fiscal.

In March, shots were fired at properties in Niddrie Marischal Crescent and West Pilton Bank, while there have also been fires at commercial premises in Edinburgh and Musselburgh.

Police Scotland have suggested the incidents are linked to a feud between two groups who are “actively targeting each other”.

Investigating officers have gathered intelligence around 1,600 vehicles and recovered seven which had been stolen.

Around 2,400 hours of CCTV footage are being examined and officers on patrol have delivered 500 leaflets in the community to reassure them.

Officers have said that extensive enquiries remain ongoing at this time.

Detective superintendent Paul Grainger said: “It is imperative that we trace whoever is responsible for these reckless acts as soon as possible.

“I want to reassure the community that we have a team of detectives working on this investigation and our action today demonstrates our commitment to tackling this type of crime.

“This operation is a result of extensive investigatory work over a number of weeks and we will continue to utilise detectives and specialists from across Police Scotland as this continues.

“Disruption is just one area of our work and we will continue to use every tactic at our disposal to relentlessly pursue individuals who engage in violence within this city.

“If you have any information that can assist our investigation, please get in touch.”

Chief superintendent David Robertson, Divisional Commander for Edinburgh, said: “These incidents could have had much more serious consequences and I want to make it clear this behaviour will not be tolerated.

“Significant enquiries are ongoing in relation to all of these incidents, and we are utilising all available resources to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.

“We will continue to carry out additional high-visibility patrols and disruption activity across the city and I would encourage anyone with any concerns to approach these officers, so we can take action.

“If anyone has information that can help with our enquiries then please contact us immediately.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101 quoting incident number 0562 of Friday, March 21, 2025. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.