Armed police have surrounded a high-rise block in Edinburgh’s Calder area following reports of a man with two knives, with two casualties rushed to hospital
A tense confrontation between police and a suspected knifeman has developed at a tower block. Officers surrounded Cobbinshaw House South, in the Calders district of Edinburgh, after reports emerged of a man wielding two blades.
Chilling footage appears to capture the man wandering through the housing estate brandishing the weapons. Armed officers were rushed to the location as part of a massive emergency operation. They later confirmed two people had been injured and taken to hospital.
No fewer than 10 police vehicles were spotted on the road, alongside two fire engines and multiple ambulances. A security perimeter extended around the building’s front, with uniformed constables positioned at the main entrance.
Authorities are reported to have relocated a gathering of local residents to a safer distance after the suspected knifeman made an appearance at a window in the tower block. Police have verified that two victims have been taken to hospital, reports Edinburgh Live.
A local told Edinburgh Live: “Armed officers could be seen entering the block as shocked onlookers gathered at the foot of the high rise.
“The suspect seems to have appeared and opened a window before smiling at the crowd below. Locals screamed abuse at the man and he appeared to shut the window and go back inside. Police began moving the crowd back from the foot of the high rise after the man appeared at the window.
There is palpable anger on the ground. Locals are furious at what has unfolded in their community with many criticising a lack of action” Others voiced worries for the students at the nearby primary school, which is practically next door to the scene.
One individual expressed: “So worried about the kids. P1 are looking onto the site and they could’ve seen it all. It is a bit crazy and scary.”
Another alleged that the man was “tapping his knife” on a window of the school.
Edinburgh Live has learned that the adjacent Wester Hailes High School has already been “locked down”.
Locals said a number of people may have been stabbed in the incident in Calder. Nearby schools and nurseries were locked down and are due to reopen later on Monday.
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.
William Ramsay, who lives in the area, said he believed the man with the weapons had entered the stairwell of his building.
He told the Press Association: “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 that work in the shop with a knife.”
Mary Todd, who lives in Cobbinshaw House, said she heard the man shouting before she and her daughter left the building by the back door.
Pictures from the scene of the incident showed at least six police vehicles outside Cobbinshaw House, a tower block of flats, as well as armed police officers.
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.
Police Scotland issued an updated statement after 11am, saying the incident had now been “contained”.
Chief Inspector Scott Kennedy said: “The earlier disturbance in the Calder area of Edinburgh is now contained and there is not believed to be any wider risk to the public.
“The incident is not being treated as terror-related.
“Officers were called to reports of a man with a bladed weapon on Calder Gardens around 8.25am.
“Specialist resources, including firearms officers, are in attendance at a property nearby and inquiries are ongoing.
“Two people were injured and taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment.”
He continued: “I understand this is an alarming incident for the local community.
“I want to reassure the public, officers will remain in the area as our inquiries continue.
“Anyone with information or concerns can approach these officers or call us on 101.”
A spokeswoman for the Scottish Ambulance Service said: “We received a call at 8.34am 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.”
A spokeswoman for the City of Edinburgh council 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.”