Gang war arrests hit 55 as investigations into ongoing feud continue

Three men, two aged 26 and one aged 38, are the latest people to be charged under Operation Portaledge.

Gang war arrests hit 55 as investigations into ongoing criminal feud continue — Police: Arrests continue amid ongoing operation. iStock

Posted in

Police Scotland

The number of people arrested in connection with ongoing gang war violence in the central belt has hit 55.

On Saturday, police revealed three more men have been charged in connection with a spate of fires and firearms offences in recent weeks.

A 38-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with wilful fire-raising and firearms offences. He is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday.

A 26-year-old man has been charged in connection with criminal damage at a property on Walter Scott Avenue in Edinburgh on Thursday, June 12 and wilful fire-raising at a property on Jackson Way, Tranent on Friday, June 13. He will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal.

Another 26-year-old man has been charged in connection with two vehicle fires in Port Seaton on Sunday, May 18. He will also be reported to the Procurator Fiscal.

In June, Police Scotland’s chief constable urged members of the public to come forward to aid detectives in tracking down those involved.

Jo Farrell said: “My priority has been to ensure that the people of Scotland are safe, so we have put a lot of resource and effort and skill behind Operation Portaledge.

“Our drive is to reduce activity of people involved in serious and organised crime in Scotland.”