Gang feud ended with 'resolution of differences' between rivals - police report

Image caption, A property on Edinburgh's Hay Drive was one of the first places to be targeted in the gang feud By David Cowan Scotland home affairs correspondent Published 16 minutes ago Police have revealed that a violent gangland feud spanning six months came to an end through dozens of arrests and a "resolution of differences" between rival groups. The trouble began in Edinburgh last March and led to a series of fire-raisings and attempted murders across the central belt, totalling 84 separate incidents. A brief resurgence of gang-related violence earlier this year saw another spate of incidents and more arrests. An update to the Scottish Police Authority in the name of Chief Constable Jo Farrell described "a deeply concerning war between rivals" which had eventually come to an end for multiple reasons. Firebombs and masked attacks - how a gangland feud escalated Published 8 April Men jailed for firebomb attacks during gangland feud Published 13 May Two jailed for gangland firebombing 'ordered by boss in Dubai' Published 16 June It said the feud covered "the length and breadth of the country" before there was "a clear and obvious downturn in activity." The report said: "The cause of that downturn was without question multi-factorial, including the resolution of differences within the serious and organised crime community. "However, the impact of Police Scotland and partners' efforts to co-ordinate, disrupt and detect offenders cannot be overstated." To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. This video can not be played Figure caption, Watch: Moment houses set alight in overnight firebomb attacks According to media reports, the feud began after a fallout between Ross McGill, the former head of Rangers Football Club's ultras fan group the Union Bears, and convicted Edinburgh drug dealer Mark Richardson - who is currently in prison. The force said it responded to 84 incidents of violence and disorder, arrested 64 people and executed 55 search and arrest warrants. Seven firearms and "assorted weapons" were recovered, and over 90 safeguarding plans were put in place to protect vulnerable people caught up in the feud. Of the Operation Portaledge cases which have come to court, several have resulted in lengthy jail sentences. Arran Reid was imprisoned for eight years and four months after admitting carrying out a machete attack on an Edinburgh businessman linked to Richardson. Image caption, Forensic officers carried out inquiries in Pitcairn Grove in Edinburgh after the machete attack in May last year Four men were jailed or detained for a total of 25 years over a series of fire-raising attacks in Glasgow and Edinburgh. The judge Lord Mulholland told them: "Gangsterism is never acceptable in a civilised society." And a man who petrol bombed a beauty salon in Edinburgh at the start of the feud was jailed for seven years and four months. The report noted that gang-related violence flared again in January and February this year,