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STV News
2 days ago
- STV News
Sheku Bayoh family member receives over £1m in compensation from Police Scotland
Ten members of the family of Sheku Bayoh have received compensation from Police Scotland, including a single award of more than £1 million. In March, almost ten years after Mr Bayoh's death, his family resolved the civil action first raised in May 2018 after reaching an out-of-court settlement concerning his death. The settlement was agreed without any admission of liability by Police Scotland, the family's lawyer Aamer Anwar confirmed. Sheku Bayoh, a father-of-two, died after he was restrained by around six police officers who were called to reports of a man carrying a knife on Hayfield Road in Kirkcaldy on May 3, 2015. Officers restrained him by his legs and arms, used CS spray or tear gas and batons and were accused of using excessive force. Mr Bayoh lost consciousness after being restrained and was pronounced dead in hospital. His family launched a civil action against Police Scotland three years later and an ongoing public inquiry was launched to examine the circumstances leading to the death and whether or not race was a factor. It has now been revealed that up to ten members of the family have received compensation from Police Scotland, including a single award of more than £1m. The figure appears in a report for the Scottish Police Authority's (SPA) legal committee under the heading 'public liability claims'. The SPA report said 'quarter 4 saw the settlement of a very large litigation that involved several pursuers'. The total figure for all relatives of Mr Bayoh was not revealed, but in 2018, Mr Anwar said the action for damages in the Court of Session was for £1.85m. The settlement was agreed without any admission of liability by Police Scotland, the lawyer confirmed, who previously said that Mr Bayoh's case was a 'national disgrace'. 'On May 3, it will be the tenth anniversary of Sheku's death in police custody, however the struggle for the truth continues,' he previously said. 'As we reach the final stages of the Public Inquiry, those who broke the law should remember there is no time limit on justice. There will be no further comment today.' The Scottish Police Federation, the body that represents rank and file officers, said it was 'surprised' by the chief constable's decision to settle the claim against the force. A spokesperson said: 'The only person who can be said indisputably to have broken the law is Sheku Bayoh. 'On any view of the evidence, he took illegal drugs, engaged in a fight with a friend, armed himself with a large knife and then took to the streets of Kirkcaldy, where he terrified many members of the public who asked the police to help before assaulting a female police officer by punching her to the ground. 'These are facts which are wholly unchallenged. 'As the inquiry continues, it would be inappropriate to say any more at this stage, other than to remind the public that the clear position of the officers involved in the apprehension of Mr Bayoh is that they acted reasonably, in the public interest in the circumstances, given the danger that he presented.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Edinburgh Live
21-05-2025
- Edinburgh Live
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."
Scottish Sun
21-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Tops cop pledges to create 'hostile environment' for warring Scots mobsters
Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell says officers involved in Operation Portaledge have scoured 3,000 hours of CCTV footage Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SCOTLAND'S top cop says the force is determined to create 'a hostile environment' for mobsters involved in an ongoing gang war. Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell told a policing watchdog officers involved in Operation Portaledge have scoured around 3,000 hours of CCTV footage as part of a massive investigation. 3 Chief Constable Jo Farrell spoke about the gang war at an SPA meeting. 3 Cops, fire crews were praised for their efforts in dealing with the wave of attacks 3 Forensics teams probing an attack in East Kilbride were hailed by the top cop. She revealed there had been 35 arrests linked to the carnage in Glasgow and Edinburgh amid a brutal campaign of violence involving rival mobs. She was speaking for the first time on the ongoing turf war being waged by a Dubai-based hood out for revenge over a dodgy drug deal. She described the attacks as "targeted" and said armed police were involved in arrests, as well as praising fire crews following a spate of firebombings. Ms Farrell told the Scottish Police Authority: '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. '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. Two men brutally attacked at garage owned by notorious Daniel crime gang member '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. '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.' Ms Farrelk spoke just days after the latest in a wave of attacks said to have been ordered by former Union Bears member Ross McGill who orchestrated the chaos from a Dubai bolthole. We told how gangland machete nuts were spotted dumping a getaway car on Monday before speeding off in another motor after "chopping up" two men in a turf war murder bid. The pair drove four miles to Blantyre, Lanarkshire, following the lunchtime bloodbath at a car repair garage owned by Robert Daniel in East Kilbride. Detectives are understood to be examining CCTV of the two hoods abandoning it on Monday near Calderside Nursery Centre. Extensive investigations are ongoing and officers are carrying out enquiries to trace three male suspects wearing dark clothing and face coverings. In an appeal for information, Detective Superintendent Martin McGhee said: "We believe this was a targeted incident. "We believe the car that was set on fire was also used in the earlier serious assault. "We understand these incidents will be concerning for the community but please be assured we will bring those involved to justice." We told how the hoods were acting on the orders of Dubai-based ex-Rangers ultra Ross McGill - said to be connected to bitter Daniel enemies, the Lyons family. We unmasked McGill who was previously pictured with former Rangers boss Steven Gerrard when McGill left his role in 2021 as a leader in the Union Bears ultras group. It was the latest escalation of a turf war that erupted in Edinburgh in March with firebombings and has spread across the central belt. McGill's self-styled group Tamu Junto has claimed responsibility for a wave of firebombings across the central belt, targeting associates of jailed crime kingpin Mark Richardson, 38, and the Daniel family.
The Herald Scotland
21-05-2025
- The Herald Scotland
Chief constable reveals name of gang feud investigation
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. 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. '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. '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.'
Daily Record
21-05-2025
- Daily Record
Gangland feud operation name announced by top cop as arrest numbers hit 35
Chief Constable Jo 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. 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. 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." 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'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. 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. '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.'
