Two people hurt as armed police called to reports of man with knife in Edinburgh; edinburgh Calder standoff

Two people were taken to hospital after a man seen with knives prompted a major armed response in the Calder area of edinburgh, leaving nearby schools locked down and local residents urged to avoid the neighbourhood. Police say the disturbance has been contained and it is not being treated as terror-related, but specialist firearms and ambulance teams remained on scene.

Police response and containment in Calder, Edinburgh

Firearms officers were sent to Calder Gardens after reports of a man with a bladed weapon at 08: 25. Police Scotland said specialist resources, including firearms officers, were in attendance at a property nearby and extended a cordon as enquiries continued. Officers described the earlier disturbance as contained and said there was not believed to be any wider risk to the public.

At least six police vehicles were visible outside Cobbinshaw House, a tower block of flats, as armed officers were seen entering the building. Paramedics wearing helmets and body armour attended the scene alongside the firearms teams.

Injuries, hospital treatment and ambulance deployment

Two people injured in the incident were taken to the Royal Infirmary of edinburgh for treatment. The Scottish Ambulance Service received a call at 8. 34am to attend an incident on Calder Gardens and dispatched three ambulances, three paramedic response units and a special operations response team; two patients were transported to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

Police said one of the people thought to have been stabbed worked as a council employee and served as a concierge in a high-rise block, and another alleged victim was a woman in her 60s.

Eyewitness accounts, footage and property damage

Two local men said they saw the suspect armed with two blood-stained knives outside a shop shortly after the incident began. One witness described getting out of his car as the man approached with his hands behind his back and asked, "Can I speak to you?" before revealing two knives he said were covered in blood.

Footage circulating from the area showed a man walking holding two large knives and a small shop that had been damaged. One resident said an onlooker handed him a spirit level, which he used to confront the suspect; he said, "He handed me the spirit level and we just started going for it, " and that he tried to chase the man away from a nearby school.

Suspect description, actions and building situation

Witnesses described the suspect as carrying a large knife in each hand. One account said the man appeared to have ransacked a local mini supermarket and that he may have entered the stairwell of a high-rise. Residents claimed the suspect lived in one of three high-rise blocks on an estate previously used by the council to house homeless people.

Other descriptions given by locals included a black man who appeared to be in his late 30s and was thought to be from Somalia, wearing a hoodie, a light jacket, combat trousers and carrying a black backpack. The suspect was later seen at a window of an upper-floor flat, some witnesses as the 11th-floor, looking down at the crowd below while people shouted at him and some bystanders shouted "jump. "

Community disruption, lockdowns and local reaction

Nearby a secondary school, a primary school and a nursery were put into lockdown while armed officers and other emergency services worked in the area. Police warned the public to avoid Calder in the west of the city as the major emergency services operation continued.

Residents voiced frustration and uncertainty as rumours spread online. Abigail Clegg, who lives on a neighbouring street, said it was difficult to separate fact from fiction and added, "We don't actually know anything. I hope it ends soon. " Another witness said "a lot of rumours are flying about. " William Ramsay, a local resident, said he believed the man had entered the stairwell of his building and that "He smashed the local shop, possibly stabbed two people. Armed police, dogs been here for about two hours. "

Official stance and next steps

Police Scotland reiterated that the incident was not being treated as terror-related and that enquiries were ongoing. Officers remained in the area while specialist teams continued their work and the cordon was maintained to keep members of the public back from the immediate scene.