Masked armed gangs attack three men in city ‘drugs war’
A WEEKEND of violence in which a masked gang armed with blades attacked three men in Springburn and Stepps is understood to have been sparked by a drugs war.
The brutal street attacks – including a murder bid – have left communities across the north of Glasgow terrified to walk the streets.
The first victim, 38, was targeted by four masked men using blades outside 168 Dykemuir Street in Springburn at around 8.25pm on Friday.
Police said the gang showed up in a silver/grey van.
A white car is also believed to have been involved and was seen heading from Dykemuir Street towards James Nisbet Street.
The victim was taken to the Glasgow Royal Infirmary and released after treatment.
The following day at around 12.45pm, a second victim, 53, was hospitalised by three masked men, again using blades, at 37 Red Road, Springburn. The victim has since been released from hospital.
A neighbour told the Evening Times: “The guy doesn’t live at that house but he’s well-known but even then, three attacks in three days is bold.
“I saw the incident around the corner the day before and then got a call to say this had happened, it’s shocking.
“What’s really worrying is people quite often mistake another neighbour as him so if this was targeted they could’ve got the wrong person.”
A third victim, 32, is in a stable condition in hospital after three masked men with bladed weapons again attacked him in a house in Queenslie Street, Stepps.
Witnesses said a dark coloured hatchback-style car, possibly a Ford Focus or Volkswagen Golf, which may have been involved and was seen driving away from the scene toward Hogganfield Street.
Two men were spotted getting into the car. The first is described as 5 ft 3 inches to 5 ft 4 inches, of skinny build and he was wearing dark clothing with the hood up. The second is described as 5 ft 3 inches to 5 ft 4 inches, of skinny build, and he was wearing a grey jacket with the hood up.
Detectives are treating the incident as attempted murder.
A frightened neighbour said: “It’s usually a really quiet street, I’ve always got the kids out playing so it’s worrying.
“We saw all the police on Sunday but had no idea what happened. It’s awful.”
Another resident added: “It’s an old lady and her son who live in the house, but he was in the street today and wasn’t injured so I don’t know who it was that got attacked.
“You see a lot of junkies hanging about up there so I think it would be to do with drugs.”
Following the attacks police were called to a report of a car on fire in Gilbertfield Street at around 7.50pm on Sunday.
The car was extensively damaged, however is believed to be a silver-coloured Ford Focus. It is thought the car was used in the earlier incident in Stepps.
Detective Inspector Jim Bradley said: “We believe the incidents are linked and the attacks on the three men were targeted. Anyone with information is asked to contact police via 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 11.”