Edinburgh's knife crime problem
Plus: Scotland's lowest Council Tax rise; Grant Stott's big new role; and the winners at city's biggest annual business awards
Gang fight in supermarket car park highlights city’s growing knife crime problem
Two teenagers have been arrested following a gang fight in front of supermarket shoppers in the latest troubling knife crime incident in the Capital.
Six masked youths fought in the car park of Asda at The Jewel on Wednesday afternoon with two of them slashing at others with what appeared to be a kitchen knife and a machete. Armed police were called to the scene.
The Inquirer revealed how a youth spent at least 40 minutes brandishing a machete around Leith Street and Rose Street before an arrest was made in January. In the same month, Amar Mudawi, aged 22, was jailed for five-and-a-half years for attempted murder after two teenagers were stabbed near Portobello Prom.
No one was reported injured in either of the last two incidents.
The incidents come amid a steady rise in knife crime in the Capital following the Covid lockdown as well as significant violent disorder around Bonfire Night.
How safe is Edinburgh? The Capital remains a relatively safe place, especially in comparison to many other UK towns and cities, with a very low chance for most people of becoming a victim of knife or other violent crime. However, the problem with knives is undoubtedly growing, with rising numbers of incidents often involving young men.
How big is the problem? The latest official annual crime statistic show offences committed in a public place with a knife have risen by more than a quarter (29%) in the two years between 2022/23 and 2024/25. There were 250 incidents in 2024/25 up from 203 in 2023/24 and 178 in 2022/23, with youth workers recognising a growing pattern of knife carrying among some young men.
What’s behind the increase? There is some evidence of a growth in antisocial behaviour across Scotland since lockdown, although how significant that rise has been is the subject of debate. One theory is that free bus travel for under-22s has spread problems to areas which were previously less accessible to young people looking to cause trouble. Youth workers also point to public spending cuts reducing their work in the Capital, particularly in the north-east of the city which has some of the highest knife crime rates, and a social media culture which glamourises knife-carrying.
The police say there will be extra patrols around The Jewel following Wednesday’s incident and described it as a “targeted attack” suggesting the youths might be known to each other. Chief Inspector Alison Macdonald said: “This type of violence is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Officers are committed to tackling crime and antisocial behaviour in the local community.”
Grieving mother Lisa Petrie whose son John McNab, aged 22, was stabbed to death in Leith last September has persuaded the Scottish Government to look into tightening the rules around knife sales.
Justice Secretary Angela Constance has promised to consider stricter measures after meeting Ms Petrie to hear her calls for knives to removed from shop shelves and placed in locked cabinets behind counters to stop thefts.
YOUR EDINBURGH BRIEFING
TOP OF THE STOTTS: Grant Stott looks set to take on one of the country’s top radio presenting jobs. The Daily Mail reports the city broadcaster and panto star has been chosen to replace Kaye Adams on her BBC Scotland morning show. Adams is not returning to her £155,000 a year role after a disciplinary hearing upheld complaints against her including swearing and throwing a pen at colleagues.
BOTTOM OF THE (COUNCIL TAX) LEAGUE: Edinburgh has agreed Scotland’s lowest council tax rise of the year so far at 4%, following the intervention of the city’s Conservative councillors. Labour’s minority Labour administration had proposed a 5% increase, but agreed to 4% instead to secure the support of the Conservatives. The Lib Dems also backed the deal. That takes an annual average Band D bill in the Capital up to £1,626.05 including water and sewage charges, £15.64 a year lower than it would have been, generating around £3.3 million less for the local authority.
‘DRAGON’ TRIBUTES: Tributes have been paid to property investor and entrepreneur Shaf Rasul after his sudden death at the age of 55. Rasul, whose SRA Ventures company was based in the West End, was one of the “dragons” in the BBC’S Dragons’ Den Online series. He has been described as “one of the country’s most talented entrepreneurs” and “lovable, cheeky and incredibly giving”.
A NEW INSPECTOR CALLS: Ian Rankin has confirmed his first standalone thriller in 20 years. His new novel The Heights features a new detective, DI Gillian Gish, and in a shock to the system for Inspector Rebus fans is set in London.
STICKING POINT: Police say they are determined to catch vandals who have caused nearly £40,000 worth of damage by pouring glue over parking meters in North Berwick. Police Scotland said the damage - an apparent protest against parking charges due to be introduced in two weeks time - is “unacceptable” and those responsible would be caught and “held accountable”.
TOWN OF CULTURE: Penicuik is bidding to be recognised as the UK’s first Town of Culture and with it win £3 million in funding to celebrate the arts. The bid is backed by Community Arts Penicuik, the Pentland School of Music, Penicuik Community Council and Penicuik Community Development Trust.
HOLIDAY LETS: The former RBS branch on the corner of Constitution Street and Bernard Street, close to The Shore in Leith, are to be converted into 13 serviced apartments after city councillors backed the plans. Meanwhile, the Scottish Government has overruled West Lothian Council to allow a former Farmfoods stores in Bathgate town centre to be turned into a 39-bed hotel. Councillors had refused permission on the grounds of over-provision saying there were already more than 300 such rooms available around the town centre.
CHILD HURT: A child was taken to hospital after being hit by the driver of a car on Glasgow Road, Corstorphine, at about 11.15am on Sunday. They are understood to have avoided any serious injury.
Pic of the week
THE BUSINESS
Takeoff for airport boss at Edinburgh business awards
Airport chief executive Gordon Dewar, who is standing down from the role this summer, was announced as the Lifetime Achievement Award winner at this year’s Edinburgh Chamber Business Awards.
The award was presented by Chamber Chief Executive Liz McAreavey at the celebration, hosted at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre. With an audience of over 600 business leaders, innovators, and policy‑makers, the evening was a vibrant showcase of Edinburgh’s exceptional talent, ambition, and entrepreneurial spirit.
She said: “He has been a tireless advocate for this city - in boardrooms, in government, and on the global stage - championing the idea that connectivity fuels opportunity. His leadership has helped secure the growth, investment, and international reach that make Edinburgh one of the world’s most ambitious and outward‑looking cities.”
Beyond the Lifetime Achievement Award, the evening shone a spotlight on 16 outstanding winners across a broad range of categories, celebrating everything from bold leadership and innovation to emerging talent and impactful third‑sector partnerships.
Headline sponsor Henderson Loggie congratulated all the winners. Jaslin Bhagrath, partner of the chartered accountancy firm, said: “Edinburgh’s business community is built on innovation, collaboration, and a shared passion for driving the city forward. At Henderson Loggie, we are committed to championing that spirit and supporting the organisations and individuals who make Edinburgh such a vibrant place to do business. ”
Liz added that the awards celebrated business successes, and also recognised companies tackling social challenges, championing sustainability, creating opportunities for young people, and building a more inclusive and resilient Edinburgh. “They remind us that strong commercial performance and wider societal impact can, and absolutely should, go hand in hand.”
She said the Chamber remained committed to working with members, partners and government to deliver good, sustainable economic growth that “sits at the heart of our business‑led local growth plan, Edinburgh 2030: Unleashing Our Economic Ambition.”
The full list of winners (with category sponsors):
Small Business; Gertie’s Trading Co (Rathbones): Mid-Sized Business, Cadpeople (Henderson Loggie): Large Business, Thorntons (LNER): Responsible Business, EICC (City of Edinburgh Council): Service Excellence, Market Street Hotel (Stagecoach): Inspiring Partnership, voco Edinburgh Royal Terrace & Invisible Cities: Developing the Young Workforce, AtkinsRealis (DYW Edinburgh, Midlothian & East Lothian): Director, Andy Hadden – Lost Shore Surf Resort (Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP): Rising Star, Stephanie Burgoyne – IBM (Logan Property): Employer of the Year, Saltire Hospitality (Edinburgh Trams & Lothian Buses): Excellence in Digital Marketing, ESPC (Cameron Events): Innovation in Business, Edinburgh College (Forth Ports): High Growth Business, Change Waste Recycling (Royal Bank of Scotland): International Business of the Year, Rutland Square Spirits (Edinburgh Gin): Net Zero Champion, Capella Charity (Lumo): Leith Business, Norton Park (Clockwise Offices & Leith Chamber of Commerce).
SIMPLY SKODA: Motor Group Eastern Western has taken on the Skoda franchise for Edinburgh (East). The franchise will trade initially from temporary accommodation on the site at Whitehill Road, Fort Kinnaird, where building works are expected to be completed at the dealership later this year.
CLEANING UP: International on-demand laundry service Laundryheap has launched in Edinburgh. The firm is now operating in 28 cities in 16 countries in the US, Singapore, UK and Europe with more launches planned this year, reports Daily Business.
THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT
AULD ALLIANCE: France are unbeaten, but Scotland’s tails are up after successive wins against Wales and England. Could Gregor Townsend’s men pull off a shock in the 2.10pm kick-off at Murrayfield on Saturday. One thing is guaranteed, the pubs will be packed across the city centre.
LEGO BUILDING: After a sell-out last year, Scotland’s biggest lego exhibition is returning to Meadowbank Sports Centre. This year’s charitable Edinbrick show will be on Saturday and Sunday, 9 and 10 May, with a record number of displays and builders.
AERIAL ART: Dramatic paintings of aerial landscapes of East Lothian are at the centre of a new exhibition at the John Muir’s Birthplace museum in Dunbar. Earthscapes by Drem-based artist Emma Duncan is open each week from Wednesday until Sunday until 28 March.
QUICK BITES
MIRIN TWO: Asian-influenced small plates restaurant Mirin, in Albert Street, is to open a second Leith restaurant at 126 Leith Walk, with current occupants Chorrito Sauce Cantina due to vacate the unit next month.
GREAT NEWS: The chef-owner of Edinburgh restaurant Pomelo, in Sciennes, is set to appear on the BBC’s Great British Menu tomorrow. Jun Au was named Best Asian Chef in Scotland by the Asian Catering Federation in 2024.