Police Look For Three Men After Stepps Violence

6 June 2016, 14:59 | Updated: 6 June 2016, 15:35

Three suspects are being hunted by police after a "targeted attack'' left a city street looking like a "war zone''.

The attackers drove a stolen Ford Transit van at three men sitting in another van in Cardowan on the outskirts of Glasgow on Sunday afternoon.

The three men in the parked van - aged 47, 45 and 28 - managed to get out of the vehicle but were then chased and attacked with knives in Frankfield Road, Stepps.

Both vans were then deliberately set on fire, sending flames "as high as a house'' into the air, according to one witness.

Police believe the attackers made off in a black 4x4 and white saloon car.

Detective Inspector David Reilly, of Coatbridge CID, leading the investigation, said: "This was very much a targeted attack - the suspects in the stolen van knew exactly who they were going for.

"For this to happen at all, never mind in the middle of a Sunday afternoon, is just outrageous. Yes, the suspects may have known who they were targeting but there could easily have been other people, including children, in the area - especially with the weather being so nice.

"No-one other than the three intended targets were injured. They were all taken by ambulance to the Glasgow Royal Infirmary where the 47 and 28-year-old man were treated and have since been released.

"The 45-year-old man remains in hospital, where staff describe his condition as stable.''

The first suspect is described as white, 6ft and wearing a black hooded top with the hood up.

The second man is described as white, 6ft, blond hair and wearing dark-coloured trousers and a dark hooded top.

The third suspect is described as white, 5ft 4ins, slim, wearing all dark clothing including a hooded top and dark-coloured baseball cap.

Mr Reilly added: "We have additional officers patrolling the area and I would ask that anyone who has any concerns or who saw the attack speak to them.

"So far, the response from local people has been good but I am still appealing to anyone with information about the attack, the stolen vehicle or any information that will help us catch these men to contact police.

"If, for whatever reason, you are reluctant to speak to police, then please contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where details can be given in confidence.

"We have an incident room set up in Coatbridge office where information can be passed via 101.''