Edinburgh area locked down after reports of man with weapons and stabbings

Armed police have responded after a man with weapons was seen in Edinburgh.

By contributor Neil Pooran and Rachel Keenan, Press Association Scotland
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Supporting image for story: Edinburgh area locked down after reports of man with weapons and stabbings
Police vehicles were at the scene in Edinburgh (Rachel Keenan/PA)

Police have warned the public to avoid part of Edinburgh following “reports of a man with a bladed weapon”.

Locals says a number of people may have been stabbed, with an emergency response in place since before 9am.

Armed police are at the incident in Calder in the west of the city.

A statement from Police Scotland said: “The public is being advised to avoid the Calder area of Edinburgh following reports of a man with a bladed weapon.

“Police, including firearms officers, are in attendance.”

Police in Calder after reports of a man with a knife (William Ramsay/PA)

William Ramsay, who lives in the area, said he believed the man with the weapons had entered the stairwell of his building.

He told Press Association: “He smashed the local shop, possibly stabbed two people unconfirmed.

Calder was locked down following the incident on Monday morning (William Ramsay/PA)

“Armed police, dogs been here for about two hours.”

Pictures from the scene of the incident showed at least six police vehicles outside Cobbinshaw House, a tower block of flats, as well as armed police officers.

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.

Lothian Buses said its number 2 service was being diverted away from Calder until further notice.