Tag: wilful firerasing

Six jailed for serious and organised crime in Edinburgh and Midlothian

Six men convicted of serious and organised crime incidents in Edinburgh and Midlothian have been jailed.

Michael Heeps, Lee Ridgway, John Murray, Dale Bauld, Damien Mullen and Ryan McGovern, were previously convicted of numerous offences including attempted murder, wilful fire-raising and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

At the High Court in Glasgow, today – Friday, 15 August, 2025, Heeps was jailed for 23 years, Ridgeway for 22 years, Murray (pictured left) for 17 years, Bauld (pictured centre) for 17 years, Mullen for 14 Years and McGovern (pictured right) for eight years.

Detective Superintendent Paul Grainger said: “The use of violence is always completely unacceptable.

“Although these were all targeted attacks, those involved showed absolutely no regard for the communities affected.

“These incidents could have had much more serious consequences and this behaviour will not be tolerated.

“These sentences show Police Scotland’s commitment to the Serious and Organised Crime Taskforce’s national strategy.

“I want to make it clear to those intent on being involved in serious and organised crime that we will not give up and you will be brought to justice.

“I would again like to thank officers who worked on this investigation, as well as our partners in forensic services and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal services, for their work. I would also like to thank the public for their support throughout the investigation.”

Operation Portaledge: Two further arrests brings total up to 50

A 50th arrest has been made in connection with Operation Portaledge, the investigation into violent incidents in the East and West of the country.

An 18-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with wilful fire-raisings which occurred at three properties on Pitcairn Grove, Prestonfield Crescent and Niddrie Marischal Crescent in Edinburgh on Thursday, 17 April.

He is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today, Friday, 27 June, 2025.

Earlier today police announced that a further arrest was made in connection with the investigation into violent incidents in the East and West of the country, bringing the total to 49.

A 17-year-old man has been arrested and charged in relation to two wilful fireraisings in Edinburgh during the early hours of Monday, 9 June, 2025, in Niddrie Marischal Crescent and Campion Road.

The 17-year-old was arrested on Tuesday (24 June, 2025). He was released on an undertaking to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court at a later date.

Operation Portaledge: More arrests

A further three men have been arrested in connection with Operation Portaledge, the ongoing investigation into violent incidents in the East and West of the country.

These arrests bring the total so far to 47.

On Monday, 16 June, 2025, officers arrested and charged two men, aged 26 and 20, in connection with the attempted murder of a 54-year-old man on Pitcairn Grove in Edinburgh on Thursday, 22 May.

They were due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Tuesday, 17 June.

A 26-year-old man was arrested in connection with outstanding warrants after officers attended at a property in the Muirhouse Drive area around 6pm on Sunday, 15 June. He was also charged in connection with a wilful fire at a premises in Albert Street in Edinburgh on Thursday, 6 March.

He was due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, 16 June.

Officers from local divisions and a dedicated team of officers from our Specialist Crime Division, continue to carry out extensive enquiries to gather vital evidence and reassure the public with intelligence-led patrols.

Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ferry said: “Further to these arrests, we have also recovered a vehicle and a firearm, both of which are believed to have been used in recent incidents.

“This activity highlights our continued commitment to tackling organised crime and we are following a number of positive lines of enquiry.

“We still require further support from local communities as our investigation progresses. 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 via 101 quoting incident number 0562 of Friday, 21 March, 2025. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.

Two more arrests in connection with violent incidents in the East and West

Officers investigating the violent incidents in the East and West of the country have made two further arrests, bringing the total to 44.

Following the recovery of a firearm in the Roseburn Path area of Edinburgh on Wednesday, 11 June, 2025, a 25-year-old man was subsequently arrested and charged in connection and was due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today, Friday, 13 June.

Officers also executed warrants this morning at addresses in South Queensferry and Edinburgh.

A 22-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with fire-raising of a vehicle on Peacocktail Close in Edinburgh on Friday, 16 May. He is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, 16 June.

A 21-year-old man has also been reported to the Procurator Fiscal in connection with wilful fire-raisings at two properties in Glasgow and one in Shotts in April.

A dedicated team of officers from our Specialist Crime Division, with support from local divisions across the country, continue to carry out extensive enquiries to gather vital evidence and reassure the public with intelligence-led patrols.

Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ferry said: “Our continued activity and arrests show our commitment to targeting organised crime and bringing those responsible to justice.

“We continue to investigate and follow a number of positive lines of enquiry. The support and response from the public has been excellent, and I am grateful for the assistance given to us and that continued support from local communities is crucial as we progress our enquiries.

“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 via 101 quoting incident number 0562 of Friday, 21 March, 2025. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.

Dawn raids see more arrests as fight against crime gangs continues

Detectives investigating a number of linked incidents in the West and East of Scotland arrested six people yesterday following executive action in Glasgow and North Lanarkshire.

This brings the total number of arrests made during this investigation to 32.

On Friday, 9 May, 2025, officers from the Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism Unit, assisted by firearms officers, executed warrants and searched six properties in the Barlanark, Maryhill, Hamiltonhill, Milton of Campsie and Wishaw areas.

In Glasgow, two men, aged 31 and 26, were arrested in connection with conspiracy to murder and directing serious and organised crime.

A 36-year-old man was also arrested in connection with conspiracy to murder.

A 26-year-old man was arrested in connection with drug offences and a 57-year-old man was arrested in connection with proceeds of crime offences.

In Wishaw, a 42-year-old man was arrested in connection with involvement in serious and organised crime.

A number of items, including a quantity of class B drugs and approximately £46,000 in cash, were also seized during the operation.

Extensive enquiries remain ongoing.

A dedicated team of officers from Police Scotland’s Specialist Crime Division and the local division continue to work together to gather vital evidence and reassure the public with intelligence-led patrols.

Detective Chief Superintendent David Ferry said: “These arrests continue to highlight the hard work and dedication of officers to target those responsible for these attacks.

“While the number of incidents has continued to decrease since the start of this investigation, I want to reiterate that violence will not be tolerated and will not stop until we bring those responsible for this criminality to justice.

“We are working tirelessly to build cases and are following a number of significant lines of enquiry.

“The support of our communities is absolutely vital when it comes to tackling serious organised crime, preventing violence and getting justice for victims and I want to again thank the public for their help and information so far.

“If you know anything about these dangerous and abhorrent acts, please do the right thing and speak to us.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101 quoting incident number 0562 of Friday, 21 March, 2025. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.

Gorgie Farm Fire: Youth Charged

A 14-year-old male youth has been arrested and charged in connection with wilful fireraising in Edinburgh.

The incident happened at a stable at Gorgie City Farm, off Gorgie Road, shortly after 6.25pm on Wednesday, 24 July, 2024.

No one was injured.

Enquiries remain ongoing.