Counter-terrorism police called in after five injured in Edinburgh street attacks

Police Scotland said a 36-year-old white Scottish man has been arrested and said and there is no further threat to the public.

As police responded to multiple calls on Friday, officers were called to a report of an incident in the Sighthill area of the city, where two men were injured, at around 8.50pm on Friday.

The Scottish Association of Mosques (SAM) said two worshippers were attacked in a park after leaving Broomhouse Mosque, with the two men recovering in hospital.

Police said they then received reports about incidents around retailers across the west and north of the city.

The force said that during this period three other men were allegedly attacked in the Telford Road and Leith Walk area.

As events unfolded, officers were called to Origano pizzeria on Leith Walk, with a further incident reported at the Shell garage on Telford Road, where a taxi reportedly had it windows smashed.

Police said that five men, two aged 22, and others aged 24, 27, and 39, sustained a range of injuries and three needed hospital treatment, however none of the injuries are life threatening.

The organisation Muslim Engagement and Development (Mend) said that several of those injured are Muslim.

First Minister John Swinney said he was “deeply concerned” by the incidents.

He added: “There is no place for violence, racism or intolerance in our country.”

Assistant Chief Constable Catriona Paton said it was a “shocking” incident and that her thoughts are with those who were injured and most directly affected.

She said: “I want to send a clear message of support to all our communities that there is no place for racism or faith-based hate in a Scotland which is at its best when we stand together.

“Officers responded to multiple reports of a fast-moving sequence of events across Edinburgh before arresting a man and public safety was our priority.

“Extensive work is ongoing to establish all the circumstances.

“We are being supported by Counter Terrorism Policing and working under the direction of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.

“I want to thank our officers who responded with bravery and professionalism, and with a focus on protecting the public.

“I’m hugely grateful for the support and assistance of our communities and would appeal for anyone with any information to share it with police.

“We have established a major incident police portal.”

Police closed off Leith Walk on Friday evening as the incidents unfolded, with posts on social media appearing to show a man with a knife on the street.

Another video appeared to show a topless man on the ground shouting that he is “protecting the country” as he is held by an officer.

A Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) has been set up to encourage members of the public to submit information directly to officers.

Muslim leaders in Scotland have expressed “profound sense of shock” following the incidents.

Omar Afzal, Director of Public Affairs for the Scottish Association of Mosques, said: "There is a profound sense of shock, alarm and anger within Muslim communities across and Scotland today. These latest attacks are deeply disturbing. However, they do not exist in a vacuum.

“For years, Muslim communities have warned about the consequences of anti-Muslim hatred becoming normalised in public discourse. When prejudice is left unchallenged, it creates an environment in which some individuals feel emboldened to act on that hatred.

“What we are witnessing is targeted hatred spilling over into criminal violence at a time when anti-migrant and anti-Muslim mobilisation is being openly promoted online.”