One dead and man arrested after armed police called to Leith flats
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A 33-year-old man arrested after disturbance outside Cables Wynd House leaves one dead
A major police investigation is under way after a man died following a suspected stabbing in Edinburgh.
A 33-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the death, which occurred in the Leith area of the city on Sunday evening.
Emergency services were called to reports of an altercation at a bus stop opposite Cables Wynd House, known locally as the Banana flats, on Henderson Street, at about 9.45pm.
A man was found with serious injuries and taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, where he died a short time later.
Police have confirmed the death is being treated as suspicious.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Detectives are investigating following the death of a man in Edinburgh on Sunday, July 5.
"Around 9.45pm, we attended a report of a disturbance outside Cables Wynd House. A man was found with serious injuries and taken by ambulance to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, where he died a short time later.
"The death is being treated as suspicious and a post-mortem examination will take place in due course. A 33-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the death and enquiries are ongoing."
Henderson Street remained cordoned off throughout yesterday.
One local resident described hearing "a loud disturbance", adding that a "fight broke out" next to the bus stop. They estimated between 25 and 30 police vehicles arrived at the scene within an hour.
Footage from the area showed armed police and forensics teams in attendance.
Another resident, Greg, 54, said: "When I got up later in the night I could see all the police and the lights. I’m really sensitive about violence and I can’t stand this. Usually it’s a great place to live."
Leith councillor Katrina Faccenda said: "Sad and worrying news about last night’s [Sunday's] police presence near Cables Wynd House, especially for those living in the vicinity."
Lothian Buses diverted several services, including the 16, 34, 35 and 36, due to yesterday's ongoing road closures.
The incident follows a recent spate of knife crime in the city.
On June 25, councillor Adam Nols-McVey submitted a motion to the city council calling for a crackdown on the availability of knives.
The motion also highlighted a campaign for "bleed kits" led by Lisa Petrie, whose son John McNab was fatally stabbed in Leith last year.
The recent incidents have sparked fear among the local community. Susan, who lives on nearby Giles Street, said she did not witness Sunday's disturbance but is "petrified" by the regular occurrence of serious crime.
"I’ve lived here for 40 years and it’s never been this bad," she said. "Just on Friday night, there was a group on a rampage in the stairwell next to my flat, on the other side of the wall from where I sleep.
"They were shouting, throwing things and smashing the windows. They smashed in the outside door. It seemed to go on forever, I was just waiting for it to end. I was absolutely terrified. Things have got really out of hand."
Another woman, who is living in the area temporarily, said there had been a "massive increase" in crime in recent months.
She said: "We have an 11-year-old and it’s really worrying. There’s a feeling of dread, of not knowing what’s going to happen next. I recently lost my husband and you want to be somewhere tranquil when you’re grieving. Instead it’s been quite stressful.
"Part of the problem is that there’s not enough beat officers out and about. I think it makes people feel they can just get away with it.
"There’s some beautiful, decent families living here, and a lot of elderly people. It’s just not very safe nowadays and it’s such a shame. It used to be a great postcode."