
Edinburgh gangland feud given operational name as 35 arrested by police
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info
Scotland's top police officer has said more than 30 people have been arrested in an investigation into a gang feud which she revealed was known as Operation Portaledge.
In a report for the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) board meeting on Thursday, Police Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell revealed publicly for the first time the name of the operation into the gang war, which flared up in March and escalated in April.
She pledged to make Scotland "a hostile environment for those involved in organised crime" and praised forensics officers "for their contribution to what is one of our largest ongoing investigations".
Ms Farrell said 35 people have been arrested in the Glasgow and Edinburgh regions, 14 stolen vehicles recovered and 3,000 hours of CCTV footage reviewed, and the investigation is a priority for forensics teams.
She described the attacks as "targeted" and said armed police were involved in arrests, as well as praising fire crews from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) following a spate of firebombings.
Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sentstraight to your messages.
Ms Farrell said: "This month, I provide an overview of disruption and enforcement, including dozens of arrests, in response to targeted attacks in the east and west of Scotland, under Operation Portaledge.
"I want to begin by condemning the actions of those involved and thanking our communities for their support and assistance in making Scotland a hostile environment for those involved in organised crime. I also want to recognise and thank Scottish Police Authority Forensics for their contribution to what is one of our largest ongoing investigations.
"We'll continue to work with partners at international, national, regional and local levels to clear organised crime and I want to thank colleagues in local authorities and the Scottish Fire and Rescue for their support.
"A dedicated team from our specialist crime division has been working since March to investigate targeted attacks in both the east and west."
She continued: "This is one of the largest investigations we have ongoing in Police Scotland. A total of 35 arrests have already been made, 14 stolen vehicles have been recovered, and 3,000 hours of CCTV footage has been reviewed.
"Local officers have been carrying out intelligence-led patrols to disrupt the activities of criminals. Armed policing officers have been using specialist skills to support the operation and safely carry out arrests.
"There is a lot of work going on behind the scenes, including exploring forensic opportunities and analysis of digital devices.
Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox
"We want to thank our colleagues at SPA Forensics for prioritising this work and ensuring our officers have the results and resources to make arrests quickly and bring people to court.
"The public can be assured we are working tirelessly to build cases and are following a number of significant lines of enquiry. We have had a good response to our appeals and I want to thank the public for their help and information so far.
"The support of our communities is vital in tackling serious organised crime, preventing violence and getting justice for victims."

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Scottish Sun
8 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Two women dead after horror two-car smash on Scots road
Police have urged anyone with dashcam footage of the area at the time of the crash to speak with officers FATAL SMASH Two women dead after horror two-car smash on Scots road Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TWO women have tragically died after a horror two-car crash on a busy road near a Scottish town. Emergency crews raced to the scene on the A98 near Enzie, in Buckie, Moray, yesterday afternoon. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The crash happened on the A98 road near Enzie Credit: GOOGLE MAPS The alarm was raised at around 12.30pm after police received reports of the fatal collision. Two motors, a Vauxhall Insignia and a Peugeot 2008, were involved in the crash. Officers confirmed that a 32-year-old woman, who was driving the Vauxhall, was found injured. She was tragically pronounced dead at the scene. A 77-year-old woman who was a passenger in the Peugeot was also fatally injured. She was also pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Peugeot, a 77-year-old man, was airlifted to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. Medics have described his condition as serious but stable. Cops locked down the road for hours to allow collision investigators to conduct inquiries at the scene. Police have now launched an investigation into the fatal crash and have said that inquiries are ongoing. Horse gallops down Scots high street and crashes into car And they are appealing for anyone with information about the smash to come forward. Any motorists who were in the area and have dashcam footage have also been urged to speak with officers. Sergeant Dave Cooper from the Road Policing Unit in Elgin said: 'Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the two women who died. 'An investigation into the circumstances is ongoing. "We would appeal for anyone who witnessed the crash who has not already spoken to officers, or those who have any dashcam footage that may capture either vehicle prior to the collision, to please come forward. 'If you can assist the investigation, please contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident 1354 of 10 June.'


Daily Record
17 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Two women die in horror crash as pensioner fights for life in hospital
A 32-year-old driver and a 77-year-old passenger have died in a two-car smash on a busy Scots road. Two women have died in a horror crash on a busy Scots road, as another pensioner battles for his life in hospital. Emergency crews rushed to the A98 near Enzie, Buckie, at around 12.30pm yesterday, Tuesday June 10, after receiving a report of a collision involving a Vauxhall Insignia and a Peugeot 2008. Upon attendance the 32-year-old female driver of the Vauxhall and the 77-year-old female passenger of the Peugeot were pronounced dead at the scene. The 77-year-old male driver of the Peugeot was taken by air ambulance to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, where hospital staff describe his condition as serious but stable. Sergeant Dave Cooper from the Road Policing Unit in Elgin said: 'Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the two women who died. 'An investigation into the circumstances is ongoing and we would appeal for anyone who witnessed the crash who has not already spoken to officers, or those who have any dashcam footage that may capture either vehicle prior to the collision, to please come forward. 'If you can assist the investigation, please contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident 1354 of 10 June.' Yesterday, in a separate incident, we reported that a driver had died nearly a month after he was involved in a three-vehicle crash. William John Horne passed away on Sunday June 8, as the police probe into the crash continues. The 67-year-old was driving a Volkswagen Transporter van on Tuesday May 13, which was involved in a crash with a white Kia Ceed and a red Seat Alhambra at around 3.30pm. The collision took place on the A982 South Road at the Aberdeenshire town of Peterhead. He was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary with serious injuries. On Tuesday, some weeks later, Police Scotland confirmed he had passed away and issued a statement from his devastated family. It said: " Our family is utterly heartbroken by the tragic loss of William John Horne. We want to give our sincere thanks to the first responder, police, paramedics and all the wonderful staff at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary ICU for their care and attention to William." The force said the occupants of the other vehicles received treatment for non-serious injuries. Officers are still appealing to the public for witnesses to come forward. Constable John Grant, of the North East Road Policing unit, said: "Our thoughts are with William's family who have asked for privacy at this difficult time. " Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances and anyone with information who can assist and has not already spoken to officers is asked to get in touch." Anyone who can help Police Scotland with the investigation into the crash is asked to call 101, quoting incident number 2279 of Tuesday, 13 May, 2025. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.


Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Schoolgirl rushed to hospital after being hit by car on busy Glasgow road
An 11-year-old girl has been rushed to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital after being struck by a car in Glasgow. A schoolgirl has been rushed to hospital after being hit by a car in Glasgow. Emergency crews rushed to the incident on Firhill Road, in the Maryhill area, at around 8.20pm on Tuesday, June 10. An 11-year-old girl was taken to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital for treatment where her condition remains unclear at this stage. The road reopened at around 1am today (Wednesday June 11) after being left closed for around five hours. Police Scotland has now urged anyone with information to get in touch. A spokesperson said: "Around 8.20pm on Tuesday, 10 June, 2025, we were called to a report of a crash involving a car and a pedestrian on Firhill Road, Glasgow. Emergency services attended and the pedestrian, an 11-year-old girl, was taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital for treatment. "Road closures were put in place to allow officers to carry out enquiries. The road reopened around 1am on Wednesday, 11 June. "Enquiries are ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact police via 101 quoting reference 3450 of 10 June, 2025." We previously reported, in a separate incident, that police were appealing for witnesses following a schoolboy being in a "serious condition" in hospital after being hit by a car near an school in Edinburgh. The seven-year-old was struck by a blue Land Rover Discovery on Ferry Road in the capital at around 6.35pm on Friday May 30. It is understood the crash took place near Oaklands Primary School. He was rushed to the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People where his injuries are serious but not described as life threatening. The driver was uninjured. Cops remain at the scene and a cordon has been erected while they carry out full enquiries. An investigation has also been launched into the crash. Images from the scene show several police cars in the residential area and police tape cornering off the scene. The Force are now appealing for witnesses to come forward. Sergeant Fraser Mitchell said: 'Our enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of this incident, and I would urge anyone with information to come forward. 'I am also keen to speak to any drivers who were in the area at the time and may have dashcam footage which has captured something of significance.' A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: "We were made aware of a collision involving a car and a seven-year-old male pedestrian which happened on Ferry Road in Edinburgh shortly after 6.35pm on Friday, 30 May. "The boy has been taken to the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People for treatment. His injuries are serious but not described as life threatening. Anyone with information is urged to call Police Scotland on 101 quoting reference number 3229 of 30 May, 2025. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.