Armed police officers descended on a major Edinburgh supermarket on Friday evening following a terrifying report of a person with a weapon.
Major Police Response at Superstore
Shoppers at the Tesco Extra store in the Corstorphine area watched in shock as a significant police presence, including armed response units, arrived at the scene shortly after 4pm. Police Scotland confirmed they were called to the Meadow Place Road store at around 4.10pm on Friday, January 9, after concerns were raised for a woman allegedly in possession of a weapon.
Images from the scene showed multiple police vehicles stationed outside the superstore's entrance, with a string of officers, including black-clad armed police, working at the cordoned-off crime scene. The dramatic response brought a wave of alarm to what would typically be a busy Friday evening shopping period.
Woman Arrested and Charged
A 20-year-old woman was arrested at the scene in connection with the incident. A police spokesperson stated that she was subsequently charged and released on an undertaking to appear at court at a later date.
Authorities emphasised that the deployment of armed officers was a precautionary measure given the nature of the initial report. The swift action led to a contained situation and an arrest without further incident reported.
Aftermath and Court Proceedings
The incident caused significant disruption and concern locally, highlighting the protocols activated for potential weapon threats. The woman's release on an undertaking means she is legally bound to appear before a court for proceedings at a future date.
Police Scotland has concluded its active response at the Tesco Extra, though investigations into the precise circumstances surrounding the weapon report are likely ongoing. The store has since resumed normal operations.
