An affluent village has become Britain's 'firebomb capital' with nearly 30 petrol bomb attacks - after it was infiltrated by criminal gangs.

Bothwell was once popular with celebrities, footballers and business leaders.

But the "historic'' leafy Lanarkshire village in Scotland has been rocked by a boom in violence."

Bothwell has been targeted almost 30 times by firebombers in less than five years, according to new police figures.

The series of arson attacks has hit restaurants, homes and cars since 2021 - thought to have been ordered organised crime bosses.

New figures from Police Scotland under Freedom of Information show there have been 27 attacks between 2021 and October this year.

The most recent was at the Nel & Co eatery on Bothwell's Main Street which was destroyed by a blaze on October 22.

The Cut steak restaurant was severely damaged by another suspected petrol bomb weeks before.

Two years ago the village's Da Luciano restaurant also on Main Street was destroyed by a firebomb.

The former San Vincenzo restaurant is still empty after being firebombed three times and ram-raided twice.

Locals have become increasingly concerned over the attacks - unsure why the businesses are being targeted and scared of the impact on the town at large.

One local woman, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of backlash, said: "It's terrible - it's ruining the village."

"Nobody is doing anything about it."

Another local man described witnessing fire services and road closures at the Cut Steakhouse following the blaze. He said: "Bothwell was a good place, quiet."

"The shops aren't getting touched, it's just the eateries."

"You don't see this happening in Uddingston - just here for some reason."

Another local man added: "It's bad for the community. I've been here years and it's the first time I've seen anything like this happen."

"I don't know why it's happening."

Graeme Pearson, former Director General of the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency, says crime groups use firebombings as a weapon of terror.

But he said to have such a large number in a small and affluent place was ''highly unusual''.

He added: "I would expect there would be a very substantial local involvement in those crimes."

"They are always very difficult situations to investigate because there will be very few people know the background that connects all these matters.''"

The 27 fire attacks include 16 on private property including cars and nine on commercial properties including restaurants.

Four restaurants have been burned to the ground since 2019.

Three of them were linked to Hugh O'Donnell, 68, who was jailed in 2006 for six months running a brothel out of £250,000 Parkgrove House in Glasgow's west end.

Bothwell councillor Kenny McCreary said: "This gets raised all the time by residents at every single community council meeting."

"They are always telling our local police officers how much of a worry this is."

"This isn't just a bit of vandalism, these incidents are serious."

"It is a real concern for everyone, not just for the safety of the community but we now also have all these derelict buildings right in the town centre."

Speaking after the recent attack, Chief Inspector Sarah McArthur 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 and there is no wider risk to the public."

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

"If anyone has any information about the fires, they should contact Police Scotland on 101."

Uddingston and Bothwell MSP Stephanie Callaghan said: "The fire attacks in Bothwell go far beyond property damage. "

"These criminal acts devastate the local community and harm local businesses, many of which are family-run and central to the community."

"The recent incidents have shaken the sense of safety and security that residents in Bothwell deserve. In response, Police Scotland has increased its presence in Bothwell Main Street to reassure the community and I strongly encourage anyone who sees anything concerning to contact Police Scotland on 101."

"I have been in contact with South Lanarkshire Council and have stressed the cumulative impact of repeated fire related incidents over the past four years and the harm they have caused to Bothwell's character, local economy, and sense of safety. "

"I have asked the Council to address key questions raised by constituents and to outline what further measures can be taken to protect the community."

"It is essential that Bothwell, along with its residents and business owners remains a safe, secure, and thriving community"

Four restaurants have been burned to the ground since 2019. Three of them were linked to Hugh O'Donnell.

The most recent attack on Main Street saw his bistro Nel & Co firebombed shortly after midnight on October 22.

It came just over a month after Cut steakhouse, also on Main Street, was gutted in a blaze attack.

Up until recently, the restaurant's sole director was listed as O'Donnell's family member who has since resigned.

Another Bothwell eatery linked to him, DaLuciano, was burned to the ground after multiple blaze attacks in 2023 which destroyed the roof and forced it to be demolished.