Cops fighting feuding Scots crime gangs call for more resources

Daily Record

7 hours ago

The head of Scotland's police inspectorate has called for more cash and resources to help detectives tackle the current violence between Scotland's crime gangs.
More resources are needed to help detectives tackle the current violence between Scotland's organised crime groups according to the country's police inspectorate chief.
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In his annual report out yesterday Craig Naylor refers to the mayhem that has swept Scotland since March as part of the long running feud between members of the Lyons and Daniel crime clans
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The head of HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) says he would also like to see the millions raised from the seized assets of crooks diverted back to the police in their fight against organised crime. and the two feuding gangs.
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To date more than 55 people have been arrested by officers - as part of Operation Portaledge - for a series of firebombings and other attacks in Glasgow and Edinburgh, aimed mainly at Daniel family members and associates.
The most recent outbreak was earlier this week when a cab firm in Gorgie Road, Edinburgh - Capital Cars - was torched for a second time since May.
Mr Naylor said;"The early months of 2025 have seen a return of significant violence and disorder associated with serious organised crime groups. "These events are often contained within a limited geographical area but on this occasion have stretched across the east and west regions of the country. "Whilst Police Scotland 's operational activity has resulted in a significant number of arrests; these attacks remind us of the transnational nature and risk posed by organised crime groups and the need for police and law enforcement agencies to work globally to target those involved in directing such activities.
"The reform of policing in Scotland has undoubtedly strengthened its ability to effectively tackle the threat from organised crime groups compared with legacy arrangements. However, the increasingly complex nature of such criminality also reinforces the need to ensure policing continues to have the resources required to protect communities across Scotland from those who seek to cause harm over others."
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Tamo Junto - the gangland enforcers for Dubai-based crime boss Ross McGill - have claimed responsibility for the latest blaze at Capital Cars owned by businessman Stephen Rose. Rose's home in the city's Barnton was also targeted a few hours earlier.
Former Rangers Union Bears leader McGill, who is from East Kilbride, near Glasgow, is said to be behind most of the recent violence after he was paid for a £500,000 cocaine deal with fake money. McGill who is linked to the Lyons family blames Edinburgh cocaine baron Mark Richardson who is a close associate of the Daniel family. His gang torched a series of properties and businesses throughout Edinburgh, before the war spread to Glasgow in April when they went after the Daniel's due to their links to Richardson.
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Stephen Rose has denied any links to gangland activity or Mark Richardson and says he has no idea why he or his taxi firm has been targeted.
Mr Naylor wants to see the introduction of an Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme in Scotland, where Police Scotland could receive additional resources from criminals' seized assets to spend directly on fighting crime. A similar scheme is already in operation across the rest of the UK.
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Mr Naylor's annual report also reveals that in the 2023-24 financial year more than £10 million of dirty money was recovered in Scotland using Proceeds of Crime legislation. He says that should go straight to the police to continue the fight against crime gangs.
Mr Naylor added:" At a time of increasing demand, I would be encouraged to see conversations to consider if some funding could be released from seized assets to bolster the fight against organised crime and maintain Scotland's position as a top performer in this area."
In his annual report Mr Naylor also welcomed the recent passing of the Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) Act by the Scottish Parliament which will giver Police Scotland more powers to root out rogue cops. He said the bill addressed recommendations made by HMICS relating to the vetting of police officers, and gave the Chief Constable power to dismiss any officer who doesn't meet basic vetting standards.