POLICE have arrested a further four men in relation to violent incidents in the east and west of Scotland, all of whom were brought in under suspicion of fire-raising at properties in Edinburgh and Lanarkshire.
On Friday morning, officers raided addresses in Edinburgh, Whitburn and Bathgate.
The men, 18, and another man, 31, were arrested and charged in connection with a fire-raising at a house on Pitcairn Grove, Edinburgh, which took place on Thursday May 8.
The fire-raising is part of a suspected gang-related feud.
One of the 18-year-olds, along with the 31-year-old, was also charged in connection with a fire-raising at a business in Cumbernauld Road, Stepps, on the same date.
They are all expected to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday May 26.
The attack on Edinburgh’s Pitcairn Grove on Thursday evening involved four or five men dressed in dark clothing and wearing balaclavas. They got out of a grey Land Rover Discovery before carrying out the assault.
Police said they were alerted to the incident at about 9.20pm, and confirmed they are treating it as attempted murder.
The victim was taken to hospital, where he remains.
Police confirmed the attack is likely linked to a recent spate of assaults, shootings and firebombings in the Edinburgh and Glasgow areas, which are thought to have been carried out by rival gangs.
Officers said inquiries have established the Land Rover travelled eastbound along the M8 on Thursday night, and have appealed to road users to check dashcam footage.
Detective superintendent Paul Grainger said on Friday: “This has been a targeted attack and we are continuing our inquiries to identify those responsible.
“We know the Land Rover Discovery drove along the M8 eastbound last night.
“It may have been driven at speed or erratically, so I would appeal to any motorists with dashcams to check their footage as the images could be significant to our investigation.
“If anyone has any information regarding this crime, please contact us.”
Also in the past week, a 21-year-old man was arrested in connection with two attempted murders and a fire-raising in Glasgow and Bishopbriggs in April.
These are being treated as part of a series of linked incidents in the west and east of Scotland and a total of 41 people have now been arrested.
Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 3866 of Thursday May 22. Alternatively, they can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where they can remain anonymous
