Police have launched a major crackdown against two gangs locked in a violent feud following a series of machete attacks.
A special team has been assembled to target the hoods amid fears of an escalating war on the streets of Edinburgh.
Officers are carrying out visits to the homes of gang members they believe are under threat. The conflict has escalated in recent weeks.
One victim had his hand chopped off with a machete in a gruesome assault in the city’s West Pilton area on January 5.
The 28-year-old, who sources said was not a gang member, had to undergo a 12-hour operation to reattach the severed limb.
The next night, a 36-year-old man was confronted by a machete-wielding thug in the Inch area but escaped without serious injury.
Earlier, another man was attacked with a blade in Dalkeith, Midlothian.
Police also believe a violent assault in Fernieside on January 23 is connected.
The feud is between henchmen linked to an Edinburgh drugs boss with ties to the Daniels’ crew in Glasgow and a gang rival associated with the Lyons clan.
It resulted in the murder of T2 Trainspotting star Bradley Welsh, who was gunned down in Edinburgh’s New Town in 2019.
Chief superintendent Sean Scott, divisional commander for Edinburgh, outlined the police operation in a letter to local MPs.
He said: “Information and intelligence suggests these attacks involve two known criminal gangs who have been in a feud for a number of years. These gang members predominantly reside in the Liberton/Gilmerton, Craigmillar/Niddrie and West Pilton/Wester Drylaw areas.
“A significant investigative team has been assembled. We have also created a parallel operational disruption plan specifically designed to target and disrupt activities of these gang members.
“We are carrying out regular checks at addresses of gang members who we believe may be under threat or have been the victim of a crime or attempted attack.”
A 26-year-old man was arrested in connection with the serious assault in Inch and police are treating the attack as attempted murder.
Edinburgh South MP Ian Murray said: “The recent spate of gang violence has shocked local communities. I’m glad the police are on top of it. But this is another symptom of the demise of local policing. I fear this is the result.”
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