FOUR people have been arrested and property seized after police raided five addresses in Edinburgh as part of an investigation into rival “groups” in the Scottish capital.
Police from Edinburgh and the east of Scotland were supported by firearms officers and specialist organised crime and terrorism officers, in what Police Scotland said was a “pre-planned operation” on Wednesday.
The arrests came after a number of incidents across the city in March – including firearms being discharged outside properties in Niddrie and Pilton and a fire deliberately being started – that police said were linked to “groups who are actively targeting each other”.
A 16-year-old boy, two men aged 28 and 38, and a 34-year-old woman were all arrested, and police seized an allegedly stolen Range Rover along with other items linked to the investigation.
The teenager was arrested in connection with possession of an offensive weapon for incidents occurring on March 7, and with the reset of a stolen vehicle, and road traffic offences.
The 28-year-old was charged with threatening and abusive behaviour following an incident on March 20, while the 38-year-old was charged with the reset of a stolen vehicle.
They are all due to appear in court in due course.
The 34-year-old woman was arrested in connection with a stolen vehicle but has been released pending future inquiries.
Police said a team of detectives was working on the investigation and that “extensive” inquiries are ongoing.
Detective Superintendent Paul Grainger said: “It is imperative that we trace whoever is responsible for these reckless acts as soon as possible.
“I want to reassure the community that we have a team of detectives working on this investigation and our action today demonstrates our commitment to tackling this type of crime.
“This operation is a result of extensive investigatory work over a number of weeks and we will continue to utilise detectives and specialists from across Police Scotland as this continues.
“Disruption is just one area of our work and we will continue to use every tactic at our disposal to relentlessly pursue individuals who engage in violence within this city.
“If you have any information that can assist our investigation, please get in touch.”
Police said they have so far gathered intelligence on 1,600 vehicles, seven of which were seized after being identified as stolen.
They have also examined about 2400 hours of CCTV footage, and officers have distributed 500 leaflets in the community to reassure people.
Chief Superintendent David Robertson, divisional commander for Edinburgh, said: “These incidents could have had much more serious consequences and I want to make it clear this behaviour will not be tolerated.
“Significant inquiries are ongoing in relation to all of these incidents, and we are utilising all available resources to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.
“We will continue to carry out additional high-visibility patrols and disruption activity across the city and I would encourage anyone with any concerns to approach these officers, so we can take action.
“If anyone has information that can help with our inquiries then please contact us immediately.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101 quoting incident number 0562 of Friday March 21, 2025, or to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
