Gang war investigation largest in Scotland with 20 arrested in connection

The ongoing investigation into a gang war which has spread across the country’s largest cities is the most “significant in Scotland”.

The criminal feud ignited after two homes were targeted by gunmen on Edinburgh’s Niddrie Marischal Crescent and West Pilton Bank within 24 hours last month.

A house was set on fire on Hay Drive following the shootings.

In Glasgow, homes on Ashgill Road, Cortmalaw Gardens and Gala Street have been firebombed, as well as homes on Meadow Court in Stepps, Milton Road in Kirkintilloch and Wellington Road in Bishopbriggs.

A carpet factory and two homes in the East Dunbartonshire town were also torched.

On April 12, masked men invaded a home on Glasgow’s Egilsay Crescent, resulting in a 72-year-old woman and a 12-year-old boy suffering significant injuries.

Items relevant to the investigation, including weapons, have been seized, along with drugs and cash, after raids were carried out.

Officers have made 20 arrests so far in connection with the criminal feud including a 16-year-old who was charged in connection with five alleged attempted murders.

Edinburgh & East

Teen, 16, charged with five ‘attempted murders’ amid eight gang war arrests

Officers have made a total of 20 arrests so far in connection with a criminal feud which has stretched across Scotland’s two biggest cities.

DCS David Ferry confirmed that the incidents in both Edinburgh and Glasgow are being treated as targeted attacks.

He also stated the operation is the biggest in the country in terms of resources and “the most significant in Scotland”, during a press conference on Friday.

The detective revealed that whilst gang crime is not new to the streets of Glasgow and Edinburgh, the involvement of young people and social media has added a new element

He said: “Children and young people being involved in organised crime is an absolutely terrible thing.

“It is absolutely right that we engage as early as we possibly can to stop people from thinking this is glamorous, it’s absolutely the opposite of glamorisation.

“What I would say is Police Scotland is absolutely committed to targeting individuals concerned in this behaviour and we will be carrying out enforcement activity to bring this back under control.”