A six-month-long violent gang feud that shook Scotland has finally come to an end. The conflict, which saw 84 separate incidents of violence and disorder across the central belt, was marked by a series of fire-raisings, attempted murders, and shootings. Despite its scale, the police response was swift and effective, with significant efforts from Operation Portaledge resulting in 64 arrests, 55 search warrants, and the recovery of seven firearms and various other weapons.
The operation's success can be attributed to a combination of law enforcement efforts and an internal resolution of differences between the rival factions. According to Chief Constable Jo Farrell, 'the conflict had led to a deeply concerning war between rivals', which eventually subsided due to 'a clear and obvious downturn in activity'. The report highlighted that this downturn was 'multi-factorial', with both the police response and the resolution of differences within the serious and organised crime community contributing factors.
Media reports suggest the feud originated from a long-standing disagreement between Ross McGill, formerly associated with the Union Bears fan group, and Mark Richardson, a convicted Edinburgh drug dealer currently imprisoned. Court proceedings stemming from Operation Portaledge have already resulted in substantial prison sentences, including eight years and four months for Arran Reid's machete attack and 25 years combined for fire-raising incidents.
A brief resurgence of gang-related violence was noted earlier this year, leading to an additional 10 incidents and five further arrests. The investigation into this second outbreak remains ongoing. Separately, Ross McGill was among four Scottish men arrested in Dubai in September 2025, although his current whereabouts are unconfirmed. The feud also saw attacks targeting members of the Daniels crime group, long-standing rivals of the Lyons gang.
While two senior members of the Lyons crime group were shot dead in Spain in May 2025, Police Scotland stated there was no evidence to link these murders to the feud investigated by Operation Portaledge or that they were planned in Scotland. Arrests have been made in connection with these Spanish killings, with Liverpool man Michael Riley awaiting trial and Steven Lyons, head of the Lyons crime group, recently extradited to Spain from Bali in connection with drug trafficking, money laundering, and an alleged 2024 murder.
As the situation stabilises, communities across Scotland can breathe a sigh of relief. The resolution of this violent feud serves as a testament to the effectiveness of coordinated law enforcement efforts and internal resolve within the serious and organised crime community.