Stabbing horror: Two hospitalised after knife attack in Edinburgh as police seal off tower block

Edinburgh knife attack leaves two hospitalised

Two people have been taken to hospital after an incident in Edinburgh in which a man armed with knives allegedly attacked members of the public, prompting police to seal off a tower block.

Local residents said several people may have been stabbed during the disturbance in the Calder area, the Newham Recorder reported.

A resident said the armed man had “tried to get into the school, the nursery” before being chased away. She added that he then entered a nearby shop, where he caused damage.

She told the Press Association: “He (then) went into the shop. He ransacked the shop, the shop’s a mess. He chased the people that work in the shop with a knife.”

Armed police were deployed before 9am (local time), with nearby schools and nurseries placed in lockdown. They are expected to reopen later on Monday.

Police Scotland initially urged the public to avoid the area before confirming the situation had been “contained”. A police cordon has been established around Cobbinshaw House, where the suspect is believed to have gone.

Chief Inspector Scott Kennedy said the incident had been brought under control.

“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. 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,” he said, according to the Press Association.

BREAKING: The Edinburgh stabbing incident is not being treated as terror-related by Police Scotland; Two hospitalized, motive unknown so far. pic.twitter.com/aaN4e0AXwo

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William Ramsay, who lives nearby, said he believed the man entered the stairwell of his building. “He smashed the local shop, possibly stabbed two people, unconfirmed. Armed police, dogs, been here for about two hours,” he was quoted as saying.

Another resident, Mary Todd, who lives in Cobbinshaw House, said she heard shouting before leaving the building with her daughter via a back exit.

Footage circulating on social media appeared to show a man walking through the area carrying two large knives. He was seen wearing a cream-coloured top with a black backpack. A man matching that description was later observed at Cobbinshaw House looking out of a window. News18 could not independently verify the authenticity of the videos shared online.

Police Scotland issued an updated statement after 11am (local time) confirming the incident had been “contained”.