Police vow as ‘drug gang war’ escalates
Plus: Starbucks shuts Royal Mile cafe; and tributes to 'kind, witty' councillor
Drug gang feud returns to the Capital with a vengeance
Police are promising further arrests in the wake of a dramatic escalation in the city’s ongoing ‘drug gangs war’.
The feud returned to the Capital with a series of suspected firebombings last week following a lull when the gang violence shifted to Glasgow.
The latest incidents mean more than a dozen attacks have been carried out across Edinburgh and Glasgow over the last seven weeks. They include firebombings of homes and businesses, attacks on children, and guns fired at two houses in the Capital.
The detective leading the investigation told the Inquirer those responsible would be brought to justice, despite the police union claiming a shortage of resources was hampering the response.
The most recent attacks - four apparently coordinated overnight firebombings - are the latest turn in a violent struggle for control of Scotland’s drug trade. They appear to have been deliberately timed to coincide with the sixth anniversary of the ‘gangland execution’ of former boxer Bradley Welsh, who was shot dead outside his New Town home.
No one was hurt, but a child was sleeping in one of the homes targeted. Police Scotland has around 100 officers working on the case and have already made a series of arrests.
The background: The jailing of major Glasgow drug dealer Jamie Stevenson late last year is said to have created a power vacuum which various factions are trying to fill. The 60-year-old, nicknamed ‘The Iceman’, is serving 20 years in Saughton Prison for a plot to smuggle £100 million of cocaine from Ecuador into Glasgow in crates of bananas.
Police ‘under pressure’: David Kennedy, head of the Scottish Police Federation, says: “Officers are under immense pressure, with chronic staffing shortages making it harder to respond proactively and disrupt gang activity before it escalates. Unless investment is made in frontline policing, we fear this trend will continue – and that more lives will be at risk as a result.”
‘More arrest to come’: Detective Chief Superintendent David Ferry, Specialist Crime Division, told the Inquirer: "We are using every resource at our disposal to trace those responsible for these recent incidents as quickly as possible. A number of arrests have already been made and arrests will continue over the coming days.
"We understand these incidents will be concerning for the local community but please be assured we will bring those involved to justice. I would urge anyone with information to please get in touch."
Rival gangs: Associates of jailed Edinburgh drug dealer Mark Richardson are reportedly being targeted by a Dubai-based crime syndicate, who are said to blame his gang for stealing a £500,000 consignment of cocaine. Dubai has taken over from Spain, and its so-called ‘Costa del crime’, as the bolthole of many Scottish criminals. Richardson is allied with Glasgow’s notorious Daniel crime family, while the Dubai-based criminals are reportedly working with the Daniels’ long-time rivals the Lyons family.
Video taunts: The feud is being played out on social media with the criminals targeting the Richardson and Daniel gangs posting footage of their attacks taking place. The goading videos are accompanied by soundtracks, such Keep on Running by the Spencer Davis Group and the Motown hit Nowhere to Run. The latest video this weekend suggested the violence was about to escalate further.
The latest attacks: Two hooded attackers doused the door of a detached home in Pitcairn Grove, Oxgangs, with petrol and set it alight as a child slept inside. This was one of four suspected attacks in the early hours of Thursday morning, with others targeting properties in Prestonfield Crescent, Liberton and Niddrie Marischal Crescent. All the properties have been linked to relatives or associates of Richardson.
Escalating violence: The trouble started when a petrol bomb was thrown at the Belle Cheveux beauty salon in Albert Street, Leith, on 6 March. Other linked incidents include fires at a warehouse at Eskmills, Musselburgh, and a garage on Milton Road East, Joppa, as well as shots being fired at houses in Pilton and Niddrie. The violence has escalated, with a 12-year-old boy and 72-year-old woman assaulted in one of the most recent attacks in Glasgow.
Bradley Welsh connection: The target of the latest firebombing in Oxgangs is believed to be an associate of Welsh, David McMillan. Sean Orman, 34, the ‘hit man’ who murdered Bradley Welsh, 48, was also paid to attack McMillan a few weeks before, leaving him in hospital for five days. Orman is currently serving a minimum of 28 years after being convicted of both attacks.
YOUR EDINBURGH BRIEFING
STARBUCKS OUT, TARTAN GIFTS IN: Starbucks is closing one of its Royal Mile cafes with the premises being taken over by tartan gift shop operators. The Canongate coffee shop was one of the first Starbucks to open in Edinburgh more than 15 years ago. It is due to shut on 22 May with staff being transferred to other branches. It is understood the owners chose to accept an offer from a tartan gift shop business connected to the Gold Brothers, who run around 30 gift shops on the Royal Mile, rather than renew their lease with Starbucks. The move is likely to reignite the debate about the balance of shops on the Mile and the growing dominance of tartan gift shops.
‘WARMTH AND WIT’: Tributes have been paid to one of the city’s most senior councillors after her sudden death at home in the Capital. Val Walker, the council’s culture and communities convener, was a former Unison union representative and worked in the city’s education and library services. Her Labour colleague, council leader Jane Meagher, paid tribute to “her intelligence, her wit, but most of all her warmth and kindness”.
COUNCILLOR’S NEW BRIEF: The man widely tipped to be leader of the city council is stepping down, at least temporarily, as the Liberal Democrat leader on the local authority. Kevin Lang is making the move after being appointed interim Chief Executive of the Law Society of Scotland. He is currently its executive director of external relations and will take up the interim post when Diane McGiffen steps down from Monday, 28 April. Councillor Ed Thornley will fill in for him as the council’s Lib Dem leader.
‘SNOB’ ADVICE PULLED: The University of Edinburgh has withdrawn guidance designed to tackle discrimination against those from less privileged backgrounds after criticism from students. Grace Mai Clark, president of the 93% Club, a society representing state-educated and working-class students, said the ‘don’t be a snob’ messaging had “oversimplified the issue”.
NO TO ‘FLOOD’ FLATS: Fresh student flat plans for the site of the Murrayfield Sports Bar in Gorgie are set for refusal again. EH1 Planning and Scott Hobbs Planning have submitted revised plans for an 80-bed complex, but council officials are recommending councillors reject them because they would be at risk from a one in 200 year flood.
HIGH NOTE: The search is on for a Chair and Board of Trustees for the new National Centre for Music at the former Royal High School building in Regent Road. Around four new trustees, including a Chair, are being sought to work with newly appointed Chief Executive and Creative Director Jenny Jamison and her executive team. Full details can be found here.
CHILDREN INJURED ON ROADS: A 17-year-old girl is seriously ill in hospital after being hit by the driver of a car in Musselburgh on Friday, while a 4-year-old boy was treated in hospital after being hit by the driver of a taxi in South Gyle Broadway on Tuesday.
LIVING STATUES: Award-winning film maker Walid Salhab has brought some of the city’s best-loved statues to life using a blend of photography and AI. The Queen Margaret University lecturer has created videos of the bronze statue of boxing champion Ken Buchanan, at the St James Quarter; Wojtek the Soldier Bear, in Princes Street Gardens; and Paddington Bear in St Andrew Square Garden.
KNIFE KILLER: A killer stabbed a teenager in the back in a street attack before hiding the weapon in the grounds of Holyrood Palace. Bailey Dowling, 21, denied murdering Lewis McCartney, 18, in the Dumbiedykes estate, in February 12, 2023, but was found guilty by a High Court jury.
TOP AWARD: Scotland’s Capital is once again searching for a worthy recipient of its ultimate honour, the coveted Edinburgh Award. Nominations opened this week for a four-week window. The award honours individuals who have made “remarkable and lasting contributions to the city” which have a global impact. Former recipients have come from showbusiness, literature, science and sport. Last year’s recipient was Homeless World Cup and Big Issue founder Mel Young. If you have someone in mind, you can find out how to nominate here.
YOUNG TALENT: A team of young entrepreneurs from the Mary Erskine School will represent Lothian at the Young Enterprise Scotland National Finals for “Cozy Companionzzz” the business they established which creates and sells handmade crocheted toys and bracelets. More than 200 young people take part in the programme, which provides real-life learning opportunities introducing young people to the world of work.
Pic of the week
THE BUSINESS
City spin-out set to create 100 new green jobs
Biotech pioneer MiAlgae – a spin-out from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh – has submitted plans for a new production facility at Grangemouth which, if approved, would create more than 100 new green jobs within its first phase.
The company has been involved in the Project Willow talks to repurpose the soon to close refinery.
MiAlgae repurposes whisky industry by-products to grow microalgae as a sustainable, cost-effective alternative to fish-derived Omega-3s to meet increasing demands from the aquaculture and pet food markets.
Douglas Martin, Founder and CEO of MiAlgae, said: "Grangemouth has incredible potential for us as we look to the next stage of our growth. This location offers an ideal position to support our scaling efforts and meet the increasing demand for our “biotech for good” solutions, with the creation of green jobs across engineering, production, and research and development. We are confident that this new facility will help build a greener future and bring high-quality, sustainable jobs to the local community."
The new site is designed to expand as demand grows. The company is keen to see the Grangemouth site plans approved as quickly as possible, but alternative sites are being explored as a contingency.
THAT WORKS: Retail chain The Works has opened a fifth branch in Edinburgh, with the creation of 11 jobs. The company, which sells gifts, arts, crafts, toys, books and stationery, has opened at Fort Kinnaird Retail Park.
FINAL CUT: After almost 60 years in business, Fountainbridge barber shop Benny’s is to close at the end of the month. Run since 1966 on Grove Street, the traditional Italian barber will finally shut on 30 April.
TOP FOR START-UP: Research by energy comparison service Utility Bidder has named Edinburgh and East Lothian as two of the best places in Scotland to start a business. The study, which looked at factors including GDP, business survival rates, transport links and office efficiency ratings, placed Edinburgh top with East Lothian in fourth spot.
THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT
THE GREATEST SHOW: The world tour of the musical of Baz Luhrmann’s beloved film Moulin Rouge kicks off tomorrow night at the Playhouse. One of the most eagerly-awaited theatrical events of the year, you can catch it in the Capital until 14 June.
STUPID, SEXY POETRY: RJ Hunter’s Stupid Sexy Poem Show promises to take you on a comedy cabaret ride through masculinity, femininity and transness. Catch the award-winning spoken-word performer at the Traverse on Saturday at 8pm.
FLAMING GREAT: Ignite the spirit, rewild the flame. Get ready to welcome summer as The Beltane Fire Festival returns to Calton Hill on Wednesday, 30 April.
QUICK BITES
FHIOR TO CLOSE: A multi award-winning Edinburgh restaurant is to close. Fhior, run by chef patron Scott Smith and his wife Laura, is to run its final dinner service on 1 June. The couple has decided to spend more time with their growing family. The restaurant is listed in both the Good Food and Michelin guides and is a former Scottish Restaurant of the Year.
CHOOSE CHANGE: A pub which featured prominently in Irvine Welsh’s novel Trainspotting is to reopen as The Volley next month after a refurbishment. Originally the Volunteer Arms, it was hit by fire in 2012 and reopened as several other names, most recently The Dog House.