Police doing ‘excellent job’ tackling suspected gang war, says Swinney

Police Scotland are doing an “excellent” job at “effectively” tackling a suspected gang war ongoing for more than a month, John Swinney has said.

The First Minister said he welcomed steps taken by the force to deal with the violence seen across Edinburgh and Glasgow.

But his comments came as the Scottish Police Federation (SPF), which represents rank-and-file officers, warned of a “chronic lack of investment” in the national force.

In recent weeks, shots have been fired at buildings and a number of properties have been set on fire in and around Scotland’s two largest cities.

The incidents are reportedly linked to a long-running feud between the well-known Daniels and Lyons families and their associates, with the latter family purportedly being backed by the Kinahan transnational crime clan.

Speaking to the PA news agency, Mr Swinney praised police efforts to clamp down on the violence.

He said: “I welcome the steps that have been taken by Police Scotland to address the criminality that has been taking place.

A recent spate of violent attacks is thought to be linked to a gang war. PA Media

“As I see it, the police are doing an excellent job in taking forward the circumstances that have got to be addressed.

“It’s obviously there are live cases here, so it’s impossible for me to speak specifically about individual cases but I think the police operation is working effectively to tackle unacceptable criminal conduct in our society.”

But David Kennedy, general secretary of the SPF, said the gang feud came as police were expected to “do more with less”.

Scottish Police Federation general secretary David Kennedy said the force must be better funded. PA Media

He told PA: “The police will always rise to the task and focus resources to catch those responsible.

“However, detection is only one side of policing and prevention of crime and organised crime needs to take priority.

“It is deeply concerning that policing in Scotland continues to suffer from a chronic lack of investment.

“Year after year, our police service is expected to do more with less – fewer officers on the ground, outdated equipment, and rising demands – all while facing increasingly complex challenges.”

He accused the Government of prioritising legislation that scrutinised and restricted officers over providing the support needed to do their jobs.

“This approach sends the wrong message to the criminal fraternity,” he said.

“It undermines morale within the service and diverts attention away from the real issue: tackling crime and protecting the public.

“We should be empowering those who put themselves in harm’s way to uphold the law — not burdening them with additional layers of bureaucracy and suspicion.

Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay called for a summit to be held to tackle the gang violence. PA Media

“The emphasis must return to targeting criminal behaviour, not tying the hands of those sworn to prevent it.

“It’s time for a serious conversation about priorities. Scotland’s communities deserve a properly funded, well-paid and well-resourced police service that is trusted, supported and equipped to do its job effectively.”

Earlier this week, Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay urged the First Minister to call a summit on the violence, rather than the one planned to tackle the far-right.

He said: “The latest explosion of violence in Glasgow and Edinburgh is directly linked to a drugs war that has been raging across Scotland since 2001, we’re almost a quarter-of-a-century into this drugs war.

“These parasites, these drug dealers, have no levels of depravity that are too low.”

He said the “turf war” had already led to innocent civilians being caught up in the attacks on properties, and called on the Government to ensure police were properly resourced and “look again” at proceeds-of-crime legislation – which is used to seize assets from convicted criminals.

Earlier this month, four people were arrested as part of a police investigation into rival “groups” in Edinburgh.

Police are also investigating a series of deliberate fires in and around Glasgow.

And earlier this week, three more people – including a 17-year-old girl – were arrested and charged in connection with drugs and firearms offences in Edinburgh.