'Gang war' spreads across Glasgow and Edinburgh with homes firebombed and shot

An ongoing feud between warring gangs has spread across Scotland’s Central Belt.

Police are treating the rising number of firebombings and homes being shot at in both Glasgow and Edinburgh as linked to a clash between organised crime groups.

Last month, two homes on Niddrie Marischal Crescent and West Pilton Bank in the capital were targeted by gunmen within 48 hours.

A home on Niddrie Marchial Crescent was targeted by gunmen last month. STV News

A suspicious house fire on Hay Drive on the Sunday following the shootings has also been linked to the war.

On Monday, Police Scotland confirmed that the feud had reached Glasgow with homes on Ashgill Road and Gala Street firebombed.

During the same night, a house was torched on Meadow Court in Stepps.

Four people were arrested after raids at five properties in Edinburgh. Police Scotland

The most recent gang-related incident occurred during the early hours of Tuesday morning when a business in Bishopbriggs was deliberately set alight.

Detective chief superintendent David Ferry, of the Specialist Crime Division, said: “We have officers investigating a number of reports of discharges of firearms, fire-raising and vandalisms across the East and West of the country, which are all being treated as potentially linked at this time.

“These incidents could have had much more serious consequences and I want to make it clear this behaviour will not be tolerated.

Edinburgh & East

First Minister ‘deeply concerned’ by Edinburgh gang violence

Swinney was challenged to address violence in the capital city which has seen firearms discharged at two properties.

“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. A number of arrests have already been made.

Last week, five homes were raided in Edinburgh in connection with the gang violence. Officers seized a number of items relevant to the investigation, including a stolen Range Rover.

Following the raids, a 38-year-old man was arrested and charged with reset of a stolen motor vehicle.

Another property was shot at on West Pilton Bank in Edinburgh STV News

A 34-year-old woman was also arrested in connection with a stolen vehicle. A 16-year-old was arrested over reset of a stolen vehicle, various road traffic offences, and possession of an offensive weapon.

A 28-year-old man was also arrested and charged with threatening and abusive behaviour.

On Thursday, Nicky Robertson, 38, appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court charged with reset of a stolen vehicle.

He made no plea and was granted bail.

Marcus Laidley-Sobers, 28, also appeared charged with threatening and abusive behaviour. He made no plea and was granted bail.

Officers have also since charged a 24-year-old man in connection with two deliberate fires in Edinburgh linked to the feud.

During First Minister’s questions on March 27, John Swinney stated that the rise in gang violence has left him “deeply concerned”.

He also confirmed the government is pursuing a “range of other measures” to disrupt, deter and detect serious organised crime.