The town where four restaurants have been 'firebombed' in six years

Nel & Co was targeted on Wednesday in Bothwell

Residents in a Lanarkshire town have expressed fear and frustration over a spate of targeted firebombing attacks on restaurants in the area.

Four premises in Bothwell have been struck by arson attacks in a six year period, with two - both linked to the same family - set alight since September.

The most recent was in the early hours of Wednesday last week, when Nel & Co on the town's Main Street was set on fire. There were no injuries.

BBC Scotland News understands the attacks are not related to an ongoing gangland war that has prompted a massive police investigation, called Operation Portaledge.

BBC Scotland News spoke to multiple people living in the area. All declined to give their names, saying they feared reprisals.

One woman said: "It's made a lot of people of people uneasy - it feels like it's becoming a no-go area socially.

"There are a lot of rumours about who's involved in this and if gangsters are carrying out these attacks. These buildings are being burned down to the ground and left as eyesores - it's not just one-off crimes or some idiot causing it by accident.

"Bothwell's always been linked with people moving here once they have lots of money, but people now feel the whole town is being dominated by gangsters."

Another resident said: "It's really sad what's happening to the area - the whole community is being dragged down and it's almost laughable the amount of firebombings that have happened.

"It's also creating a complete eyesore. You've got the restaurant Cut closed off to repair damage from the fire there, another restaurant has been demolished and we've got Nel & Co damaged now.

"People in the community know there are criminals in this area and everyone is fed up - but they're scared as well.

"There are dangerous people doing this, though no-one is quite sure why. There are various theories doing the rounds because it's a hot topic."

Another local added that people in the area were "just sick" of the firebombings and the amount of damaged buildings.

No-one was injured in the attack on the restaurant

The company Nel & Co Ltd is currently being dissolved with Companies House via a compulsory strike-off - where a company is forcibly removed from the Companies House register.

Company director Hugh O'Donnell has been involved in running various restaurants throughout the west of Scotland.

He was also jailed for several months in 2006 for running a brothel via a sauna in the West End of Glasgow, having pleaded guilty to living off prostitution.

He told BBC Scotland News the businesses were owned by his wife, and he did not know why they were being targeted.

He said: "I am as baffled as the police as to why it's happening. This has been happening for years in Bothwell with restaurants and cars being set on fire - I'd like the police to be more proactive in trying to stop this."

Uddingston and Bothwell MSP Stephanie Callaghan said the attacks go beyond property damage.

She said: "These criminal acts devastate businesses, many of which are family-run and are central to community life.

"This latest incident has also shaken the sense of safety and security that residents in Bothwell deserve."

The steakhouse Cut was attacked last month

Earlier this year steakhouse Cut was forced to close after a fire on 12 September. Its owners said on social media it would not reopen until next year.

However, it announced it would be holding a pop-up at Nel & Co this week, only for Wednesday's firebomb attack to take place.

The company Cut Bothwell Limited underwent liquidation in June of this year.

Other restaurants have also been attacked in the past several years.

The town's San Vincenzo was attacked on multiple occasions in 2019, culminating in a car being smashed into the premises and set on fire - causing a blaze that destroyed the restaurant.

Owner Vincent Marini publicly claimed he had been targeted by gangsters, and chose to sell up after the destruction occurred.

Italian restaurant Da Luciano's - which Mr O'Donnell was also involved in owning at one time - was then firebombed on multiple occasions in 2023. By the end of the year the eatery was demolished.

BBC Scotland News believes police have ruled out any link between the firebombings and recent gangland violence across Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Police Scotland Ch Insp Sarah McArthur said the fires should not present a wider risk to the public.

She said: "We understand these incidents in Bothwell may be worrying for the local community, but I want to offer reassurance that we believe these fires were targeted.

"We are carrying out regular patrols in the area and anyone with concerns is encouraged to speak to these officers."

Police Scotland is understood to be increasing its presence in the area following last Wednesday's fire, as inquiries continue.