Police arrest 55 people amid ongoing 'gang war' across Scotland

Edinburgh’s police chief has said 55 people involved in an ongoing ‘gang war’ across Scotland’s central belt have been arrested since it began.

Chief Superintendent David Robertson said the “organised crime feud” was having a significant impact on local communities.

And in an update to local councillors he said the service had checked almost 14,000 addresses and 1,800 vehicles, and engaged in a number of property searches, as part of their enquiries.

He said: “Many of you will be aware of the ongoing organised crime feud that has significantly impacted many communities across the city.

“Whilst recent incidents have reduced slightly, the feud continues, requiring significant resources to be deployed.

“I said the full weight of Police Scotland would be brought to bear on those who thought it was acceptable to engage in this level of violence on our city’s streets.

“We have done that. Our disruptive and preventative plan saw almost 14,000 addresses checked, a number of property searches, and 1,800 vehicles checked.

“There have been 46 incidents within Edinburgh, and we’ve arrested 29 individuals, some of whom have been involved in multiple incidents.

“And we had some more arrests earlier this week, bringing the total number of arrests in relation to Operation Portaledge to 55.”

Chief Supt Robertson made the remarks while addressing a council committee on Thursday about recently-released crime statistics.

They showed an increase in crime across the city, with fire-raising, sexual assaults and drug crime all on the up.

The gang war has been sparked by a dispute over the supply of cocaine in the Capital, with disagreements also extending out to Glasgow.

On Tuesday, police said they were investigating the most recent incident thought to be linked to the disagreement, which saw a taxicab office in Gorgie set alight and men with machetes approach a Barnton home.

Chief Supt Robertson also spoke about the police’s action on Bonfire Night-related disorder late last year, saying that 40 arrests had been made, nine houses searched and two vehicles seized.

Some 20 people were referred to the children’s reporter due to their age, while one man was sentenced to 18 months in prison for mobbing and rioting.

He said police were pursuing another man who failed to show up to a riot-related court date, and that one man had been given a year-long 7pm curfew for his involvement.

And he said nine trials were scheduled for people allegedly involved in the feud.