Organised crime feud: More arrests

TWO further arrests have been made in connection with Operation Portaledge, the investigation into violent incidents in the East and West of the country. This brings the total number of arrests to 52.

On Thursday, 3 July, 2025, police arrested a 22-year-old man in connection with wilful fire-raising to two vehicles on Campion Road and Niddrie Marischal Crescent in Edinburgh on 9 June, 2025. He was released pending further enquiries. This is the second arrest in connection with this incident.

On Friday, 4 July, 2025, around 9.50am, officers executed a warrant in Blantyre and arrested a 49-year-old man in connection with an attempted murder in Pitcairn Grove, Edinburgh on Friday 22 May, 2025. This is the third arrest in connection with this incident.

The 49-year-old has also been arrested and charged in connection with drugs offences.

He is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, 7 July, 2025.

Two further arrests in connection with wilful fireraisings in Edinburgh

An 18-year-old man and a 17-year-old male youth have been arrested in connection with wilful fireraisings in Edinburgh.

Both have been arrested in connection with an incident which took place in Hay Drive on Friday, 4 April, 2024.

The 18-year-old has also been arrested in connection with a wilful fire at a premises in Albert Street on Thursday, 6 March, 2025 and the wilful fire of a vehicle in the Parrotshot area on Sunday, 2 March, 2025.

Enquiries are ongoing into the incidents, which are linked to the recent discharge of firearms and other fire-raising incidents in the city.

A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

A 24-year-old man was earlier arrested and charged in relation to two wilful fireraisings. He was due to appear in Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Tuesday, 8 April.

Detective Superintendent Paul Grainger said: “I want to reassure the community that extensive enquiries are ongoing into this investigation and arrests will continue over the coming weeks.

“If you have any information that can assist our investigation, please get in touch.”