Latest news with #JoFarrell
The National
6 days ago
- The National
50 arrests made in police probe into Scottish 'gang war'
Officers said on Friday that an 18-year-old man is the latest person to be arrested and charged in connection with Operation Portaledge, the ongoing investigation into violent incidents in the east and west of the country. The spate of violent incidents, including shootings, firebombings and assaults, began in Edinburgh and the east of Scotland in March, but spread to the Glasgow region in April and May. The 18-year-old has been arrested and charged in connection with alleged wilful fire-raisings at three properties in Edinburgh – on Pitcairn Grove, Prestonfield Crescent and Niddrie Marischal Crescent – on Thursday April 17, police said. He is expected to appear in court in due course. Police Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell announced the 49th arrest in Operation Portaledge on Thursday, during a meeting of the Scottish Police Authority in Edinburgh. Police Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell (Image: Andrew Milligan) She said: 'The support of our communities is essential when it comes to tackling serious and organised crime, preventing violence and getting justice for victims, and I want to thank the public for their assistance so far and encourage anyone else with information to come forward.' In her report for the SPA, the chief constable also reiterated that Scottish police believe there is nothing to suggest that the deaths of two men in Spain are linked to recent incidents in Scotland. The two men, understood to be Eddie Lyons Junior and Ross Monaghan, died after a gunman opened fire outside Monaghans Bar in Fuengirola, Malaga, on May 31. The chief constable's report states: 'Police Scotland is supporting Spanish police following the fatal shootings in Fuengirola. 'At this time, there is no evidence to suggest these deaths are linked to the recent criminal attacks in Scotland being investigated as part of Operation Portaledge or that the shooting was planned within Scotland.' A man has been arrested in Liverpool in connection with the deaths in Malaga. The 44-year-old man appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on Saturday June 14 and has been remanded in custody, police said.
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Scots gangsters behind explosive turf war hit with chilling five-word warning after executions & firebomb carnage
Chief Constable Jo Farrell laid down the gauntlet to crime figures hiding in the glitzy desert bolthole NOWHERE TO HIDE Scots gangsters behind explosive turf war hit with chilling five-word warning after executions & firebomb carnage Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SCOTLAND'S top cop has warned Dubai-based hoods linked to Scotland's raging gang wars 'We are coming for you'. Chief Constable Jo Farrell laid down the gauntlet to crime figures hiding in the glitzy desert bolthole. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Chief Constable Jo Farrell issued a warning Credit: PA 6 Dubai-based hood Ross 'Miami' McGill 6 Lyons gang duo Ross Monaghan and Eddie Lyons Jnr were killed in Spain 6 Cops probe the remains of a Range Rover in Campion Road on June 9 She insists the force is working with other crime-fighting agencies to bring suspects home as part of the ongoing probe into organised crime. It comes after months of firebombings, shootings and attempted murder bids in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Dubai-based hood Ross 'Miami' McGill and a group known as Tamu Junto have been targeting associates of Edinburgh kingpin Mark Richardson and the notorious Daniel clan. Cops have arrested 49 people in Scotland under Operation Portaledge but McGill remains out of reach in the UAE. However, Ms Farrell insists criminals operating from foreign lands remain firmly on the policing radar. She said: "We're working closely with the Crown Office and the National Crime Agency (NCA) to see if we can get those people back from those countries. "These aren't fast processes, but we're working with the authorities there and the NCA have individuals in those countries. "That's our link in and we're working very closely with them.' Asked by the BBC when the violence would be brought to an end, she replied: "We've created a lot of momentum and gained a lot of evidence and intelligence. "We can see the temperature dropping in this space." Horror moment Scots gangster Ross Monaghan is shot dead by hitman at Spanish pub as staff & punters flee in terror Ms Farrell also stood firm behind Police Scotland's earlier statements over the murders of Lyons gang duo Ross Monaghan, 43, and Eddie Lyons Jnr, 46. The force previously said their death in Fuengirola, Spain, was not connected to the gang violence here. However, Spanish authorities later contradicted that by saying the suspected gunman was 'an internal member of the rival Daniels gang'. But Ms Farrell insisted the force "wasn't aware" of any evidence the murders were linked to the feud, or had been planned from Scotland. She revealed Scott cops are currently in Spain, supporting the work of the Spanish police. 6 Ross Monaghan, 43, and Eddie Lyons Jnr, 46. 6 Police previously said their death in Fuengirola, Spain, was not connected to the gang violence here We told how suspect Michael Riley, 44, of Houston, Liverpool, is facing extradition processing in England. Cops in Spain issued an international arrest warrant for the suspect who was then nabbed by Merseyside police on June 13 and remanded in custody after being deemed a flight risk. He appeared at the London court via video-link from HMP Wandsworth on Thursday but the hearing was halted due to technical difficulties. Judge John Bristow told him: 'You have not consented to your extradition, so there is going to be a hearing on October 9. As he was being led away, Riley shouted at someone in the public gallery: 'Stop making funny faces. Stop looking at me.' He is accused of gunning down two Lyons gang bosses. We told how the doomed pair were drinking in Monaghan's bar after watching the Champions League final when a masked gunman stormed the boozer in front of horrified holidaymakers and staff. The brazen killings sparked an international manhunt that ended with Riley's arrest at an address in Liverpool two weeks later. We also told how cops in Spain and Scotland have given conflicting information about who is believed to have ordered the hit. Three days after the horror, Police Scotland stated they had "no intelligence" to suggest they were linked to the ongoing gangland turf war here. But Spanish counterparts blamed the Daniel crime clan - bitter rivals of the Lyons - at a press conference in Malaga this week. A source claims a captured mobile phone holds the key to proving the culprits. Insiders allege it has data linking Riley to Daniel hoods. A gangland source said: "A phone in a crime like this is gold-dust to investigators. It appears that Police Scotland were not made aware of this discovery and are out the loop. It's not a good look for them."
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Daily Mail
Crackdown on Scotland gang war: Police arrest 49 suspects including boy, 17, after spate of shootings, firebombings and assaults rocked Edinburgh and Glasgow
A teenager has been arrested on suspicion of firebombing amid a crackdown against Scotland's violent gang wars - as the total number of people arrested has now risen to 49. A 17-year-old boy is the latest arrest in connection with Operation Portaledge, the ongoing investigation into a series of shootings, firebombings and assaults across the east and west of the country. The spate of violent incidents began in Edinburgh and the east of Scotland in March, but spread to the Glasgow region in April and May. Police Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell announced the latest arrest during a meeting of the Scottish Police Authority in Edinburgh on Thursday and urged anyone with information to contact police. She said: 'The support of our communities is essential when it comes to tackling serious and organised crime, preventing violence and getting justice for victims, and I want to thank the public for their assistance so far and encourage anyone else with information to come forward.' Police Scotland said the 17-year-old boy was arrested on Tuesday and charged in relation to two alleged wilful fireraisings in Edinburgh during the early hours of June 9 in Niddrie Marischal Crescent and Campion Road. He was released on an undertaking to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court at a later date. In her report for the SPA, the chief constable also reiterated that Scottish police believe there is nothing to suggest that the deaths of two men in Spain are linked to recent incidents in Scotland. The two men, understood to be Eddie Lyons Junior and Ross Monaghan, died after a gunman opened fire outside Monaghans Bar in Fuengirola, Malaga, on May 31. The chief constable's report states: 'Police Scotland is supporting Spanish police following the fatal shootings in Fuengirola. 'At this time, there is no evidence to suggest these deaths are linked to the recent criminal attacks in Scotland being investigated as part of Operation Portaledge or that the shooting was planned within Scotland.' A man has been arrested in Liverpool in connection with the deaths in Malaga. The 44-year-old man appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on Saturday, June 14 and has been remanded in custody, police said.
The Herald Scotland
7 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Police Scotland boss explains new guidance on searching trans people
It comes after the UK Supreme Court ruled in April that the words 'woman' and 'sex' in the Equality Act 2010 refer to a biological woman and biological sex. The interim guidance means searches of a transgender person, whether in custody or in a stop-and-search, will be carried out by someone of the same biological sex as them. However if someone whose lived gender differs from their biological sex asks to be searched by an officer of their lived gender, efforts will be made to find one where 'operationally viable'. In these circumstances, written consent will be required from an authorising officer, the person to be searched, and the officer(s) conducting the search. Chief Constable Jo Farrell spoke about the guidance at a meeting of the Scottish Police Authority in Edinburgh on Thursday. She said the force hopes it will protect officers and staff and be transparent for the public. 'This is a complex area, and the guidance is not without potential unintended consequences,' Ms Farrell said. 'However, we must ensure Police Scotland acts lawfully in meeting its duty under the Equality Act and the Human Rights Act. Read More 'We must give officers and staff confidence that they are conducting searches lawfully. 'We must protect officers and staff from potential challenges, which could include criminal allegations.' She said the force recognises transgender colleagues may wish to exempt themselves from these types of searches to avoid having to disclose their own gender identity. The chief constable said officers are entitled to ask to be excused from searches for a variety of reasons and will be able to do so in transgender searches with 'no career detriment'. She added: 'I want to recognise that this has an impact on people, and underline that our objectives here are to preserve people's dignity, ensure Police Scotland and our officers and staff are acting lawfully and in line with the Equality Act and the Human Rights Act, and to protect our officers and staff from potential challenge.' The provision of single-sex spaces in Police Scotland facilities was also discussed. Deputy Chief Constable Alan Speirs said an audit of facilities across the estate is being carried out and the work is progressing 'with a degree of haste'. Police Scotland said the interim guidance, published on Wednesday, will be kept under review, with ongoing legal advice and engagement with key stakeholders. The force said its wider review into sex and gender is ongoing and further updates will be issued in due course.
STV News
19-06-2025
- Politics
- STV News
Letter urges Police Scotland to reject 'misogynistic' pregnancy loss investigations
A letter signed by 29 campaign groups has urged Police Scotland to reject 'misogynistic' guidelines that would allow officers to search grieving women for abortion drugs. Women's rights groups, abortion care providers, healthcare bodies, human rights organisations, and trade unions have signed a letter that condemns the UK National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) new guidance on child death investigation. The new guidance allows police to investigate any pregnancy loss, and advises officers to search for 'drugs that can terminate pregnancy' in cases involving stillbirths. This includes allowing searches of mothers' mobile phones if a baby dies unexpectedly in the womb, as well as accessing medical records without a court order. It comes after legislation that would see abortion decriminalised for women terminating their own pregnancies in England and Wales cleared the Commons. MPs voted 312 to 95, majority 217 to approve the Crime and Policing Bill at third reading on Wednesday. With the child death investigation legislation currently only regarding England and Wales, a group of 29 leading civil society and health organisations has written to Chief Constable Jo Farrell, calling on Police Scotland to publicly reject the controversial guidelines. STV News Police Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell has been urged to reject the guidelines. Anti-sexist organisation Engender, which coordinated the letter, calls on the force not to follow the 'deeply intrusive investigations' and instead 'bring the law into the 21st century'. Catherine Murphy, executive director, said: 'Women now find themselves in the perilous situation where the laws governing abortion in Scotland have not kept up with advancements like abortion medicines and reproductive tracking apps. 'Police Scotland, the Crown Office and Scottish Parliament need to act urgently to end the scope for prosecutions and bring the law into the 21st century.' The letter also warns that marginalised communities – including those in poverty, women of colour, disabled women, migrants, young women, LBT+ people, and those in rural areas – would be disproportionately impacted by such investigations. It also reveals that data published last year found that police in Scotland have pursued several abortion related cases in the previous two decades. 'Police Scotland has a choice,' said Jill Wood, Policy Manager at Engender. 'They can follow the lead of health experts and human rights bodies, or they can adopt guidance that will cause demonstrable harm to women in Scotland. We urge them to choose compassion over criminalisation.' Dr Ranee Thakar, president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said any investigations are 'not in the public's best interest'. She said: 'We are very alarmed by the increasing number of women being prosecuted for ending their own pregnancy, including women who have experienced the tragedy of an unexplained pregnancy loss being criminally investigated. 'This is not in the public's best interest. 'The new National Police Chiefs' Council guidance is truly shocking to read. Women in these circumstances have a right to compassionate care and to have their dignity and privacy respected, not to have their homes, phones, computers and health apps searched, or be arrested and interrogated. 'Parliamentarians now have an unmissable opportunity to decriminalise abortion, to ensure women can access abortion safely, confidentially and free from the threat of investigation and prosecution.' Abortion Rights vice chair Judith Orr said: 'It is truly horrifying that women who have suffered the trauma of pregnancy loss are being treated like criminals, with no regard for their right to privacy over their reproductive health. These invasive police actions are being justified by legislation from 1861 – a time when women had no legal autonomy, let alone the right to vote. Signatories to the letter include Engender, Abortion Rights Scotland, Young Women's Movement, Back Off Scotland, Humanist Society Scotland, Close the Gap, Scottish Women's Convention, Scottish Women's Budget Group, Zero Tolerance, Rape Crisis Scotland, Scottish Abortion Care Providers Network, Faculty for Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare Scotland, Amnesty International UK, Scottish Women's Aid, Royal College of Midwives, STUC, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Equality Network, Scottish Trans, Equate Scotland, Human Rights Consortium Scotland, British Pregnancy Advisory Service, Women's Enterprise Scotland, Liberty, Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights, Amma Birth Companions, NUS Scotland, Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE), Inclusion Scotland. Police Scotland has been contacted for comment. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
