Latest news with #PoliceScotland
Edinburgh Live
2 hours ago
- Edinburgh Live
Lyons crime family 'footsoldiers' to stand down in Edinburgh feud as police crack down
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 Sources close to the notorious Lyons family crime clan have claimed they have taken the decision to step away from the gangland feud erupting across the capital. The move by leader Steven Lyons, 44, comes as officers crackdown on the escalating violent situation, with his footsoldiers now ordered to concentrate on the family's own interests. Reports of arrests in Edinburgh and Glasgow has travelled to Lyons' Dubai home. It has been previously reported the Lyons were supporting Dubai-based Mr Big Ross McGill by feeding him information on their mutual enemies - the Daniel clan. But the underworld source said Stevie Lyons has pulled their support over fears his henchmen could be jailed after cops arrested 41 people in connection with a series of linked incidents across the country since March, the Daily Record reports. He said: "The heat from the police is getting too much for Steven and he wants nothing to do with it anymore. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sentstraight to your messages. "His mob are still very active in the north of Glasgow, while he is in Dubai and he wants to keep it that way so his lads are now under strict orders to keep out of the gang war. "They still have their own feud with the Daniel family and if the opportunity presents itself to target any of them they will take it, but it won't be for Ross McGill." (Image: Police Scotland) Six Lyons family associates, Brian Ferguson, 43, Andrew Gallacher, 46, Robert Pickett, 59, Andrew Sinclair, 38, John Hardie, 41, and Peter Bain, 51, were jailed for a total of 104 years in 2019 after being found guilty of plotting murder bids on five men from the Daniel clan. The source continued: "After losing so many key men , Steven is getting cold feet. "His troops almost wiped out the Daniel clan after they went at them heavily a few years ago, but they were significantly weakened when six of their top men got big sentences. "Since then the Lyons family have had to recruit another younger batch of enforcers and Steven doesn't want to risk any of them getting a big jail sentence, especially for a war McGill is fighting." Steven fled Scotland almost 20 years ago after narrowly escaping an assassination attempt at Applerow Motors garage in Balmore Road, Possil, in 2006. He was wounded in the attack but cousin Michael, 21, was shot dead and the crime lord left Scotland almost immediately afterwards. Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox It is believed he initially settled in Spain but is now living in Dubai, where he has built up criminal connections and formed a close friendship with cartel boss Daniel Kinahan. The source said: "Steven is settled in Dubai and is worried the ongoing gang war could jeopardise his life in the United Arab Emirates." He added: "His plan is that he won't ever have to come home. "He has trusted associates who keep all his business and criminal interests going in Scotland and feels like this gang war is bringing too much attention his way and could alert the authorities in Dubai."
Daily Record
6 hours ago
- Daily Record
Lyons crime family boss pulls out of gang feud as cops turn up heat
The head of the Lyons family has ordered his men to stand down due to the number of people being arrested by Police Scotland in the last month. A source close to the boss of the notorious Lyons family has confirmed the crime clan have agreed to step back from the gangland feud sweeping Scotland's streets as police crackdown on violence. Kingpin Steven Lyons, 44, has ordered his footsoldiers to concentrate on the family's own interests after reports on arrests across Glasgow and Edinburgh filtered through to his Dubai bolthole. The Record previously reported the Lyons were supporting Dubai-based Mr Big Ross McGill by feeding him information on their mutual enemies - the Daniel clan. But the underworld source said Stevie Lyons has pulled their support over fears his henchmen could be jailed after cops arrested 41 people in connection with a series of linked incidents across the country since March. He said: "The heat from the police is getting too much for Steven and he wants nothing to do with it anymore. "His mob are still very active in the north of Glasgow, while he is in Dubai and he wants to keep it that way so his lads are now under strict orders to keep out of the gang war. "They still have their own feud with the Daniel family and if the opportunity presents itself to target any of them they will take it, but it won't be for Ross McGill." Six Lyons family associates, Brian Ferguson, 43, Andrew Gallacher, 46, Robert Pickett, 59, Andrew Sinclair, 38, John Hardie, 41, and Peter Bain, 51, were jailed for a total of 104 years in 2019 after being found guilty of plotting murder bids on five men from the Daniel clan. The source continued: "After losing so many key men , Steven is getting cold feet. "His troops almost wiped out the Daniel clan after they went at them heavily a few years ago, but they were significantly weakened when six of their top men got big sentences. "Since then the Lyons family have had to recruit another younger batch of enforcers and Steven doesn't want to risk any of them getting a big jail sentence, especially for a war McGill is fighting. Steven fled Scotland almost 20 years ago after narrowly escaping an assassination attempt at Applerow Motors garage in Balmore Road, Possil, in 2006. He was wounded in the attack but cousin Michael, 21, was shot dead and the crime lord left Scotland almost immediately afterwards. It is believed he initially settled in Spain but is now living in Dubai, where he has built up criminal connections and formed a close friendship with cartel boss Daniel Kinahan. The source said:"Steven is settled in Dubai and is worried the ongoing gang war could jeopardise his life in the United Arab Emirates. He added: "His plan is that he won't ever have to come home. "He has trusted associates who keep all his business and criminal interests going in Scotland and feels like this gang war is bringing too much attention his way and could alert the authorities in Dubai." 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'.
Sky News
12 hours ago
- General
- Sky News
Teenage girl raped by masked man in Edinburgh, police say
A teenage girl has been raped by a masked man in the city centre of Edinburgh, police have said. The girl, 15, was approached by the man wearing a black balaclava while standing at a bus stop by Marks and Spencer on Princes Street at around 5am on 25 May, Scotland Police said. The suspect led the girl to York Place on foot, where he sexually assaulted the girl in a basement storage area before leaving the scene, according to the force. Police described the suspect as a white man with blond stubble, who was wearing a black zip-up hoodie, khaki green trousers, and Nike trainers. He allegedly spoke with a Scottish accent. "This was a frightening incident for the girl and we have specialist officers supporting her and her family," Detective Inspector Mhairi Cooper from the public protection unit in Edinburgh said. "Despite the early morning, there was daylight in this busy commercial area," DI Cooper added as she urged witnesses to come forward. Police are checking CCTV from the area and carrying out door-to-door enquiries. DI Cooper said she is appealing to local residents and business owners in the city's New Town area who may have premises off street level "to check any storage areas or lock-ups and report any suspicious items or behaviour to us". Those with information are asked to contact Police Scotland via 101 and quote incident number 0136 of 27 May 2025. An anonymous report can be made to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Edinburgh Reporter
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Edinburgh Reporter
Action needed to control busking in the capital councillor warns
Action is needed to control busking in the Capital, a councillor has warned, as it emerged new rules for performers have been delayed beyond the start of the summer. The council started work last year to try and develop new rules for busking and busker management. Officers had intended to submit a report on the topic in autumn last year – but this has since been delayed until beyond the start of this summer. Liberal Democrat councillor Edward Thornley put forward a motion to the city's Culture and Communities Committee calling for an update on busking in the city. In it, he asks for council officers to present information on how effective temporary measures put in place during summer 2024 were, highlighting any new approaches and asking for any data that might be available. Last summer, the council put up posters at popular busking spots reminding performers of rules and passed out 'busking guides', in addition to an increased level of street outreach. He also asks that officers provide an update on the report concerning the new busker rules, and an outline of what steps will be taken towards their introduction. Officers met with buskers, fringe acts and members of the public when developing the new rules. At present, the council's rules for busking are available on the city's website. It calls on buskers to only perform between 9am and 9pm, and to move to a new site at least 50 metres away after every hour. Additionally, it asks them to keep the volume of their performances low, to not disturb nearby businesses and residents. It also says that buskers should not pitch up within 50 metres of another performer, and calls on them to not block pavements, doorways or cashpoints. It further says that Police Scotland can charge and seize the equipment of buskers in some circumstances. As of now, buskers do not need a licence to perform in the city. By Joseph Sullivan Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Police Scotland accused of comparing gender-critical feminists to Nazis
Police Scotland has been accused of comparing gender-critical feminists to Nazis after an internal document drew parallels between the two. The document said that 'gender binary' – the belief that there are only two genders – was a 'key feature of the Nazi racial policies'. It said that 'right now, some 88 years later the gender-critical movement has a strong voice and presence' and questioned whether this was 'an echo of how past hostilities arose'. The document also asked whether the strength of gender critics, who argue there are only two genders, meant 'we have failed to understand the lessons we should have collectively learned from our shared history.' It was posted on a divisional noticeboard to mark 'Trans+ History Week' in May, which aims to celebrate the history of 'gender diverse people', including 'trans, non-binary and intersex people.' Police Scotland said the document had been removed but critics said it should be a 'wake-up call' about how the force deals with gender and sex. Last September, the force reversed a policy that allowed rapists to self-identify as female as it fostered 'a strong sense of belonging'. The furore over the document erupted after the Supreme Court ruled in April that trans women are not women. Police Scotland announced that it would review its policies on trans issues and a meeting was held behind closed doors at its Tulliallan headquarters on Thursday to discuss the implications of the ruling. Responding to the document, which was disclosed by the Scottish Daily Mail, a force spokesman said: 'The content does not reflect the views of Police Scotland and has been removed. Advice will be given around the use of language.' Dr Lucy Hunter Blackburn, of policy analysts Murray Blackburn Mackenzie, said: 'It is welcome Police Scotland recognise this is unacceptable language. 'But this should be a wake-up call about the culture around sex and gender in the force. The Supreme Court's clarification of the law offers an opportunity for the leadership to break with the past. They urgently need to take it.' Murdo Fraser, a Scottish Tory MSP, said: 'It's unbelievable that such outrageous language made it into an official Police Scotland document. 'This is a deeply offensive comparison. People with concerns about the SNP's flawed gender self-ID plans shouldn't be vilified for standing up for common sense.' The document said Trans+ History Week was a chance to 'learn and celebrate the rich and long history of trans, non-binary, gender-diverse and intersex people. 'At a time when anti-trans rhetoric is on the rise, this can be a week where we can uplift the trans community and send a clear message – 'trans people have always been here.'' It said the event was timed to coincide with the anniversary of a 'Nazi raid on the world's first ever trans clinic in 1933', adding that: 'Gender binary was a key feature of the Nazi racial policies.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
