Two people are in hospital, and a suspect has now been arrested after barricading himself inside a tower block after reports of stabbings in Edinburgh.
Armed police locked down the Calders area after a man who appeared to be brandishing two knives attacked people.
A man suffering injuries consistent with being stabbed, and a woman suffering with a laceration to the head, not believed to be caused by a bladed weapon, have been taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.
Police say the injuries are non life-threatening.
Locals say two men attempted to challenge the armed man with a spirit level.
At least four fire engines, multiple ambulances at 20 police cars are on the scene.
@ramsay_wmramsayCalder area of Edinburgh locked down by armed police @ramsay_wmramsay
@ramsay_wmramsayEmergency services, including firearms officers, were called to the Calder area @ramsay_wmramsay
The residential neighbourhood is in the west of the city next to Wester Hailes High School – which is on lockdown alongside all nurseries and Council buildings.
A police cordon has been put around Cobbinshaw House, where the man is believed to have gone.
Footage has been circulating on social media showing a man walking in the area holding two large knives, as well as a shop which had been damaged.
The man wore a cream-coloured top with a black backpack.
A man of a similar description was later seen at Cobbinshaw House, looking out of a window.
Chief Inspector Scott Kennedy said: “I’d like to thank the public for their assistance and patience while we dealt with this incident.
“I understand what happened was alarming for the local community and I want to reassure the public there is no ongoing wider risk. However, if you do have concerns please speak to the officers at the scene or call us on 101.”
STV NewsThe Calders area of Edinburgh. STV News
William Ramsay, who lives in the area, said he believed the man with the weapons had entered the stairwell of his building.
He said: “He smashed the local shop, possibly stabbed two people unconfirmed.
“Armed police, dogs been here for about two hours.”
Another local, Abigail Clegg, said the armed man had “tried to get into the school, the nursery” before he was chased away.
She told Press Association: “He (then) went into the shop. He ransacked the shop, the shop’s a mess.
“He chased the people who work in the shop with a knife.”
Lothian Buses said its number 20 service was being diverted away from the area until further notice.
A City of Edinburgh Council spokesperson said: “We’re aware of an ongoing incident in the Calder area of the city and are continuing to support Police Scotland.
“Following police advice, all Council buildings nearby, including schools and early years centres, were closed to the public.
“We’re hoping to be able to reopen these shortly and are continuing to keep parents and local residents updated.
“Please contact the police on 101 if you have any information or concerns.”
A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We received a call at 08:34 to attend an incident on Calder Gardens, Edinburgh.
“We dispatched three ambulances, three paramedic response units (PRU), and a special operations response team (SORT) to the scene.
“We transported two patients to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.”
Two people are in hospital following an incident in Edinburgh where a man armed with knives apparently attacked people, with a tower block sealed off by police afterwards. Locals said a number of people may have been stabbed in the incident in Calder. Armed police were called out to the scene before 9am. Police Scotland initially advised the public to stay away from Calder, before later saying the incident was “contained”. A police cordon has been put around Cobbinshaw House, where the man is believed to have gone. A statement from Police Scotland said: “The public is being advised to avoid the Calder area of Edinburgh following reports of a man with a bladed weapon. “Police, including firearms officers, are in attendance.” news breakingnews police scotland emergency edinburgh police shorts
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