Two Hospitalised Following Knife Incident in Edinburgh's Calder District
Two individuals have been taken to hospital after a man armed with knives reportedly attacked people in the Calder area of Edinburgh on Monday morning. Police Scotland responded to the scene, sealing off a tower block and deploying armed officers to contain the situation.
Police Response and Containment
Authorities were alerted to reports of a man with a bladed weapon on Calder Gardens around 8.25am. Armed police and specialist resources were dispatched to the location, with a cordon established around Cobbinshaw House, where the suspect was believed to have entered. Chief Inspector Scott Kennedy later confirmed that the incident had been "contained" and posed no wider risk to the public, emphasising it was not being treated as terror-related.
Eyewitness accounts described a chaotic scene, with locals reporting that the man smashed a local shop and possibly stabbed two people. William Ramsay, a resident, stated that the armed individual entered the stairwell of his building, while Abigail Clegg noted the man had attempted to gain entry to a school and nursery before being chased away.
Injuries and Emergency Services
The Scottish Ambulance Service dispatched three ambulances, three paramedic response units, and a special operations response team to Calder Gardens after receiving a call at 8.34am. Two patients were transported to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment, though the extent of their injuries remains unspecified.
Social media footage circulated showing a man holding two large knives and a damaged shop in the area. The suspect was described as wearing a cream-coloured top with a black backpack, and was later seen looking out of a window at Cobbinshaw House.
Community Impact and Ongoing Inquiries
Police advised residents to avoid the Calder area initially, with Lothian Buses diverting its number 2 service away from the location. Chief Inspector Kennedy acknowledged the alarm within the local community and reassured the public that officers would remain on site as investigations continue. Anyone with information is encouraged to approach officers or contact Police Scotland on 101.
