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Two individuals harmed in Edinburgh stabbing spree as armed officers encircle knife-carrying suspect in high-rise building

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Two individuals harmed in Edinburgh stabbing spree as armed officers encircle knife-carrying suspect in high-rise building
Two individuals harmed in Edinburgh stabbing spree as armed officers encircle knife-carrying suspect in high-rise building

Two people have been rushed to hospital after they were attacked by a man roaming a neighborhood with two knives.

Footage shared on social media appears to show the suspect brandishing a weapon in each hand in Calder, west Edinburgh, this morning.

Neighbors said a number of people may have been stabbed and a local shop ransacked, with an emergency response in place since before 9am.

In an update, police said two people had been injured and taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment.

The suspect is now believed to be holed up in a tower block flat in a stand-off with armed police.

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Photos show a man, wearing a cream-colored top and brown hoodie, grinning and looking out of a window at several officers below.

Locals also claimed the suspect had tried to get into a school and a nursery before being chased away.

Abigail Clegg said: ’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.’

Footage shared on social media appears to show a man holding two weapons, one in each hand

Footage shared on social media appears to show a man holding two weapons, one in each hand

The suspect is now believed to be holed up in a tower block flat in a stand-off with armed police

The suspect is now believed to be holed up in a tower block flat in a stand-off with armed police

Armed police have swarmed a neighbourhood in Edinburgh after a man was seen brandishing two large knives

Armed police have swarmed a neighbourhood in Edinburgh after a man was seen brandishing two large knives

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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.'

Police said the incident was not being treated as terror related.  

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

Locals said in posts on social media that schools had been locked down due to the incident. 

A text sent to parents at Wester Hailes High School read: 'The school is in lockdown following an incident in the community this morning.

'The children are safe. We will update you in 30 minutes. Thank you.'

Chief Inspector Scott Kennedy from Police Scotland 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.

The suspect is seen at the window of a tower block in Calder

The suspect is seen at the window of a tower block in Calder 

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

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

'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.'

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Ambulance Service said: 'We received a call at 8.34am 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.'

A statement from Police Scotland previously 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.'

Lothian Buses said its number 20 service was being diverted away from Calder until further notice. 

 

Grace Cooper

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