Edinburgh Calder stabbings: Two in hospital and suspect barricaded in tower block

Latest updates

Suspect is barricaded in tower block as police say incident is “contained”
Two people have been taken to hospital with injuries
The incident is not being treated as terror related, police say
Armed police have locked down the Calders area of Edinburgh, in the west of the city
Nearby schools and nurseries closed to the public
Lothian Buses diverted from area until further notice

Two people are in hospital, and a suspect has barricaded himself inside a tower block after reports of stabbings in Edinburgh.

Armed police have locked down the Calders area after a man who appeared to be brandishing two knives attacked people.

At least four fire engines, multiple ambulances at 20 police cars are on the scene.

Emergency 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: “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 enquiries are ongoing.

“Two people were injured and taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment.

“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 enquiries continue. Anyone with information or concerns can approach these officers or call us on 101.”

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.”

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has been contacted for comment.