Police in Edinburgh have charged a 36-year-old man over a string of attacks that rattled the city and left five people injured, according to Police Scotland.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the violence appeared to have been driven by “anti-Muslim hatred”.
Counter-terrorism officers joined the investigation after the attacks unfolded across Edinburgh on Friday, leaving five people hurt.
Police said the suspect is a white Scottish man.
“A report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal, and the individual will appear at court in due course,” the force said.
In a post on X, Mr Starmer shared an image of a bare-chested man carrying a large weapon and wrote: “Absolutely appalling. No one should face violence on our streets.
“The suspect appears to be motivated by anti-Muslim hatred. I will not tolerate this – he will face the full force of the law.
“My thoughts are with those who are injured and I thank the police and the emergency services for their response.”
Scottish First Minister John Swinney denounced the violence as the city tried to absorb what had happened
Video shared online appeared to show a bare-chested white man moving through Edinburgh streets with a large weapon, while another clip seemed to capture a man striking the door of a pizzeria.
As the incidents developed, police sealed off Leith Walk, and another video appeared to show a topless man pinned on the ground, shouting that he was “protecting the country” while an officer restrained him.
Scottish First Minister John Swinney also condemned the attacks in a post on X, saying: “I am deeply concerned by these incidents.
“There is no place for violence, racism or intolerance in our country. I met community groups last week to assure them of the strong support of the Government.”
Officers were first called at about 8.50pm on Friday to reports of an incident in the Sighthill area, where two men were injured.
Police said further reports then came in about incidents near retailers in the west and north of the city.
The force said three other men were later allegedly attacked in the Telford Road and Leith Walk area during the same period.
Police said the five victims – two aged 22, and others aged 24, 27, and 39 – suffered a range of injuries.
Three of them required hospital treatment, though police said none of the injuries were life-threatening.
Several of the victims are Muslim, according to the Muslim Engagement and Development (MEND) organisation.
Police said the 36-year-old man was detained at around 9.30pm on Friday.
‘Shocking’
British Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said she was “horrified” by the violence, which also appeared to her “to be motivated by anti-Muslim hatred”, while Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Catriona Paton described the events as “shocking” and said her thoughts were with those injured and most directly affected.
Ms Mahmood said she was “grateful” to police and emergency services for their “bravery in apprehending the suspect and for their speedy response in attending to the victims”.
She added: “There is no place for hatred and violence against Muslims. I know it is not who we are as a country.”
Assistant Chief Constable Paton said: “I want to send a clear message of support to all our communities that there is no place for racism or faith-based hate in a Scotland which is at its best when we stand together.
“Officers responded to multiple reports of a fast-moving sequence of events across Edinburgh before arresting a man and public safety was our priority.
“Extensive work is ongoing to establish all the circumstances.”
She added: “I want to thank our officers who responded with bravery and professionalism, and with a focus on protecting the public.
“I’m hugely grateful for the support and assistance of our communities and would appeal for anyone with any information to share it with police.”
A Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) has now been created so members of the public can send information directly to officers.
Police are urging anyone who may be able to assist the investigation to submit details through an online form.
Scottish Government Justice Secretary Neil Gray said: “These attacks were awful and my thoughts are with those who were injured and affected by them.
“As Police Scotland have said, there is no place for racism or faith-based hate in Scotland.
“They have also confirmed that a man has been arrested, there is no threat to the public and their inquiries are ongoing. I encourage anyone with information to contact the police.
“This was clearly a very serious incident and my thanks go to the emergency services for their bravery and skill in bringing the incident under control.”
