Latest news with #OperationPortaledge
The National
8 hours ago
- The National
Gangland feud arrests total reaches 42, Police Scotland say
A spate of violent incidents, including shootings, firebombings and assaults, began in Edinburgh and the east of Scotland in March but spread to the Glasgow region in April and May. Police said in one incident, a home in Milton, Glasgow, was allegedly broken into and a 12-year-old child and a 72-year-old woman were attacked. They were treated in hospital. Targets have included homes and businesses, police previously said. READ MORE: Human rights group loses bid to bring legal action against equalities watchdog Chief Constable Jo Farrell said on May 21 that 35 people had been arrested. On Friday, police revealed a further seven people have since been arrested. In the latest arrest, police executed a warrant during the evening of May 29 and detained a 20-year-old man who was later charged in connection with alleged fire-raising in Glasgow on May 13. He appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court on May 30 in connection with the incident in Drumchapel Road, police said. A dedicated team of officers from the Specialist Crime Division, with support from regional divisions across Scotland, are continuing to work together to gather evidence and reassure the public with intelligence-led patrols. The investigation, named Operation Portaledge, has so far seen more than 8000 homes visited and 1600 vehicles stopped as officers continue to gather information. Meanwhile, police this week said there is 'no intelligence' to suggest the deaths of two Scots in a Spanish bar are linked to the recent criminal attacks in Scotland's central belt. The two men, understood to be Eddie Lyons Junior and Ross Monaghan, died after a gunman opened fire outside Monaghans Bar in Fuengirola, Malaga, on Saturday. (Image: Google Mpas) Speaking about Operation Portaledge on Friday, Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ferry said: 'I want to be clear that violence will not be tolerated, and we will not stop until we bring those responsible to justice. 'We are still following positive lines of inquiry and this arrest (on May 29) highlights our continued resolve to target organised crime. 'The support of our communities remains vital, and I want to again express my sincere thanks to the public for their continued help and information so far. 'If you know anything that could assist our ongoing investigation, please do the right thing and speak to us.' Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0562 of March 21. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111 and information can be given anonymously.
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
Gangland feud arrests total reaches 42
The number of people arrested in connection with a gangland feud across central Scotland has now reached 42. Police Scotland arrested a 20-year-old man at an address in Glasgow on Thursday 29 May in connection with a fire-raising incident at a house on the city's Drumchapel Road on Tuesday 13 May. The man appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Friday 30 May. There has been a series of assaults, shootings and firebombing incidents in Glasgow and Edinburgh since March. Police Scotland have launched Operation Portaledge in response to the upsurge in attacks. More than 8,000 homes have been visited and over 1,600 vehicles stopped as part of the current investigation. Officers from the Specialist Crime Division are working with local divisions across the country on the operation. A series of attacks began on 2 March when a car was set on fire in Edinburgh's Parrotshot area A beauty salon in Leith and a garage in Portobello were also targeted over a 10-day period Later, shots were reported as being fired at two properties in Niddrie and Pilton in separate incidents Further firebomb attacks were reported on another house in Niddrie at the start of April, just as the first property in Glasgow was targeted in the Robroyston area A carpet business in Bishopbriggs and another commercial premises in Kirkintilloch were also hit, alongside homes in Glasgow and Stepps In April, a 72-year-old woman and a 12-year-old boy were assaulted at a house in Egilsay Crescent in Milton, Glasgow A 54-year-old man needed hospital treatment after he was attacked by a group of men at a house at Pitcairn Grove, Edinburgh Speaking in relation to the latest arrest, Det Ch Supt Dave Ferry said violence "will not be tolerated" and officers would not stop until those responsible for the crime spree are brought to justice. "We are still following positive lines of enquiry, and this arrest highlights our continued resolve to target organised crime," he said. "The support of our communities remains vital, and I want to again express my sincere thanks to the public for their continued help and information so far. "If you know anything that could assist our ongoing investigation, please do the right thing and speak to us." On Tuesday, the force said there was no evidence linking the weekend murders of two Scots in a Spanish bar to the ongoing gang war in Scotland. Eddie Lyons Jnr and Ross Monaghan were shot dead in an attack at Monaghans pub in Fuengirola on the Costa del Sol on Saturday evening. The two men have links to the Lyons crime clan. A Police Scotland statement said there was "nothing to suggest that the shooting in Fuengirola was planned from within Scotland". Detectives are believed to be examining whether the murders are linked to wider tensions between major global crime groups. Lyons, 46, and Monaghan, 43, died when a gunman opened fire on them in the bar at about 23:00 local time. He then fled the scene in a car. No suggestion Spain shooting linked to gang feud - police Police probe house fire 'link' to gangland feud Murder and mayhem: The story of Glasgow's deadly gang feud
BBC News
9 hours ago
- BBC News
Police Scotland say gangland fued arrest total has now reached 42
The number of people arrested in connection with a gangland feud across central Scotland has now reached Scotland arrested a 20-year-old man at an address in Glasgow on Thursday 29 May in connection with a fire-raising incident at a house on the city's Drumchapel Road on Tuesday 13 man appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Friday 30 May. There has been a series of assaults, shootings and firebombing incidents in Glasgow and Edinburgh since March. Police Scotland have launched Operation Portaledge in response to the upsurge in attacks. More than 8,000 homes have been visited and over 1,600 vehicles stopped as part of the current from the Specialist Crime Division are working with local divisions across the country on the operation. Timeline: How the gang feud developed A series of attacks began on 2 March when a car was set on fire in Edinburgh's Parrotshot area.A beauty salon in Leith and a garage in Portobello were also targeted over a 10-day shots were reported as being fired at two properties in Niddrie and Pilton in separate firebomb attacks were reported on another house in Niddrie at the start of April, just as the first property in Glasgow was targeted in the Robroyston area.A carpet business in Bishopbriggs and another commercial premises in Kirkintilloch were also hit, alongside homes in Glasgow and April, a 72-year-old woman and a 12-year-old boy were assaulted at a house in Egilsay Crescent in Milton, GlasgowA 54-year-old man needed hospital treatment after he was attacked by a group of men at a house at Pitcairn Grove, Edinburgh. Speaking in relation to the latest arrest, Det Ch Supt Dave Ferry said violence "will not be tolerated" and officers would not stop until those responsible for the crime spree are brought to justice."We are still following positive lines of enquiry, and this arrest highlights our continued resolve to target organised crime," he said."The support of our communities remains vital, and I want to again express my sincere thanks to the public for their continued help and information so far."If you know anything that could assist our ongoing investigation, please do the right thing and speak to us." 'Nothing to suggest' link to Spanish murders On Tuesday, the force said there was no evidence linking the weekend murders of two Scots in a Spanish bar to the ongoing gang war in Lyons Jnr and Ross Monaghan were shot dead in an attack at Monaghans pub in Fuengirola on the Costa del Sol on Saturday two men have links to the Lyons crime clan. A Police Scotland statement said there was "nothing to suggest that the shooting in Fuengirola was planned from within Scotland".Detectives are believed to be examining whether the murders are linked to wider tensions between major global crime 46, and Monaghan, 43, died when a gunman opened fire on them in the bar at about 23:00 local time. He then fled the scene in a car.
The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
Swinney defends Wishaw NICU downgrade after by-election row
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said the proposed changes to neonatal care showed the health service was 'simply not safe in John Swinney's hands'. He cited local opposition, including an online petition that has attracted more than 25,000 signatures. READ MORE Under the plans, the Wishaw unit will be downgraded to a level two facility, meaning babies born before 27 weeks will have to be transferred to one of three specialist centres in Aberdeen, Edinburgh or Glasgow. The Scottish Government insists the move is based on expert clinical advice and will improve outcomes for the most premature and vulnerable babies. Campaigners, however, warn it risks separating families and placing unnecessary stress on mothers. Mr Sarwar highlighted the case of Tammy Johnston, who was unable to hold her premature son Kai for four weeks after birth. 'Under these plans, she could be forced to travel to Aberdeen or even further,' he warned. He also cited Amanda Todd, who he said had been told she may need to give birth in Dublin due to bed shortages. 'Is it not the case that the NHS is simply not safe in John Swinney's hands?' he asked. Mr Swinney rejected the claims, saying the proposals were about saving lives, not saving money. 'There is nothing in the proposal about Wishaw General Hospital that is about saving money,' he said. 'It is about maximising the chances of saving babies' lives. That is what the proposal is about — informed by expert opinion.' He pushed back against suggestions that frontline voices were being ignored, insisting the Government was acting on the best available medical evidence. Meanwhile, Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay warned that Scotland was in the grip of an 'out of control' organised crime wave. He referenced Operation Portaledge — the ongoing police investigation into a violent gangland feud that has seen shootings, firebombings and assaults across central Scotland. Police have so far arrested 41 people in connection with the incidents. 'These parasites grow rich by preying on society's most vulnerable,' Mr Findlay said. 'These cowards cause terror and death with guns, knives and fire bombs. They go after journalists, politicians, businessmen, police and prison officers. Organised crime is out of control and communities are living in fear.' Mr Findlay, who worked as a journalist who covered gangland crime before entering Holyrood, was the victim of an acid attack in 2015 when William Burns threw sulphuric acid into his face. He asked the First Minister: 'Does John Swinney accept that the Scottish Parliament has failed to tackle organised crime in Scotland?' Mr Swinney denied the claim. 'Organised crime is intolerable — it is unacceptable,' he said. 'It requires the forensic attention of our police and criminal justice authorities to tackle it, and that is being undertaken within Scotland on a relentless basis by Police Scotland and by the criminal justice authorities. 'I would expect the authorities to pursue that level of scrutiny and activity, and that is what is happening. Mr Findlay also raised concerns about sentencing guidelines for young offenders. Current guidance encourages judges to consider rehabilitation rather than prison for those under 25 — a policy he described as open to abuse. READ MORE He quoted Detective Superintendent Andy Patrick, who warned last year that gangs were exploiting the rules by coercing young people into committing serious crimes in the belief they would avoid jail. Mr Swinney responded: 'Not for the first time, I cannot allow Mr Findlay's remarks to stand. It is misleading to say to members of the public that there are no consequences for criminal activity under the age of 25 — there are very serious consequences, which involve imprisonment.' However, there some was consensus at the end, with the First Minister signalling a willingness to review the Proceeds of Crime Act. The legislation is aimed at recovering assets from drug dealers and other criminals. Mr Findlay told MSPs "top-level crime bosses" were "making millions of pounds from killing vulnerable Scots with their drugs." He added: "We were told that the Mr Bigs would be bankrupted by the proceeds of crime law that was passed at the start of devolution, but the law has failed. "Criminals and their white-collar enablers no longer fear the proceeds of crime legislation, and, 18 months ago, the SNP rejected my call to review why that is not working." He highlighted the case of one dealer believed to have made £126 million through crime. However, the Crown Office was only able to recover only £118,000. "The proceeds of crime legislation needs an urgent and radical overhaul. We must turn the tables on the drug gangs so that they live in fear," Mr Findlay said, calling on the First Minister to "toughen the legislation to make it fit to tackle organised crime in 2025 and beyond." Mr Swinney said he was "open to ensuring that we have in place the correct legislative framework to deal with criminality in our country." "I am perfectly willing to consider that, because I do not want anybody to benefit from criminal activity in our society, and I want people to be punished accordingly," he added.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
Gangsters' chilling warnings after double assassination at holiday hotspot
Gangland associates Eddie Lyons Junior and Ross Monaghan were killed in the wake of a series of suspected turf war attacks that have swept Scotland in recent months Gangster associates of an infamous kingpin pair shot down in a nighttime assassination have issued a chilling retaliation warning. Eddie Lyons Junior and Ross Monaghan were gunned down by a masked assailant while watching the Champions League final in Fuengirola, Costa Del Sol on May 30. The pair, aged 46 and 43, have links to the infamous Scottish Lyons clan, which police have linked to a series of assaults, firebombings and shootings across Edinburgh and Glasgow, alongside the rival Daniel gang. A series of threats have been issued since the shock incident alerting "everyone in Scotland" to plans for a major reprisal. The Daily Mail reports the assassinations over the weekend followed attacks believed to have targeted the criminal empire of two Daniel family members, Mark Richardson, an alleged cocaine trafficker, and his associate Steven "Bonzo" Daniel. Associates of the Lyons have reportedly jumped into action with cocaine dealer Ross "Miami" McGill after Richardson's associates pinched a £500,000 drugs stash. The feud has exploded from there, and, following the assassination, warnings of incoming reprisals have been peppered across social media. Social media posts have called on people associated with the Daniels and Richardsons to "leave Scotland immediately", while others have attempted to call Scots to arms. One social media threat read: "Daniels + Richardsons, every associate, every business will be targeted. Leave Scotland immediately." Another post read: "We are urging everyone in Scotland on the streets and those incarcerated to join us in the fight against Mark Richardson and the Daniels family. "These rats have been thieving for a long time. Its time for people to stand together as one and remove this vermin from our streets." One video posted online showed a series of attacks being carried out on Richardson associates to the tune of the song "Nowhere to run" by Martha Reeves and the Vandellas. While the situation appears to have been snowballing in the days following Lyons Junior and Monaghan's killing, police do not believe the assassination was ordered from Scotland. A spokesperson for Police Scotland said there is "no intelligence" suggesting their deaths were related to the "criminal attacks" reported in Scotland. The spokesperson said: "Police Scotland is supporting Spanish police where requested, however, at this time we have no officers deployed within Spain. There is currently no intelligence to suggest the deaths of these two men in Spain are linked to the recent criminal attacks in Scotland being investigated as part of Operation Portaledge. "Any misinformation or speculation linking the events in Spain are not helpful to the ongoing investigations in either country. There is also nothing to suggest that the shooting in Fuengirola was planned from within Scotland."
