Armed police officers launched a dramatic operation at a major Edinburgh supermarket on Friday evening following alarming reports of a person with a weapon.
Major Police Response at Superstore
Shoppers watched in shock as a significant number of police vehicles, including armed response units, converged on the Tesco Extra store on Meadow Place Road in the Corstorphine area. The incident unfolded shortly after 4pm on Friday, January 9, prompting a major emergency services deployment to the busy retail location.
Witnesses described seeing both regular officers and black-clad members of the specialist armed response team entering the store and securing the scene. Several police vehicles remained parked outside the front of the superstore as the operation continued.
Woman Arrested and Charged Following Incident
A 20-year-old woman was arrested at the scene in connection with the incident. Police Scotland confirmed that she was subsequently charged and released on an undertaking to appear at court at a later date.
A police spokeswoman provided details of the event: “Around 4.10pm on Friday, January 9, we received a report of concern for a person with a weapon at Meadow Place Road, Edinburgh. Emergency services attended and a 20-year-old woman was arrested and charged in connection and released on an undertaking to appear at court at a later date.”
Armed Attendance a 'Precautionary' Measure
Authorities emphasised that the deployment of armed officers was a precautionary measure given the nature of the initial report. Police Scotland stated that armed response officers had attended "as a precaution", highlighting the standard protocol for calls involving potential weapons to ensure public and officer safety.
The swift action led to the situation being brought under control without reported injuries. The store, a key retail hub in the area, saw a significant but temporary disruption as police conducted their operations.
The incident serves as a reminder of the robust protocols in place for responding to potential threats in public spaces. The woman charged is now awaiting a future court appearance as the legal process follows its course.
