Several schools and nurseries went into lockdown this morning due to an incident involving an individual armed with a knife attempting to gain entry. Residents in Calder, Edinburgh, were advised to stay indoors as armed police responded to reports of a man carrying a bladed weapon in the area. The situation unfolded on Calder Gardens, near Cobbinshaw House South, at approximately 9 a.m.
Emergency services, including three ambulances, arrived at the scene, and two individuals were transported to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for injuries sustained, as confirmed by Police Scotland.
Footage captured the man walking down a street holding what appeared to be two large blades, dressed in cream attire with a black backpack, brown hat, and red and white sneakers.
Witnesses reported that the man vandalized a local convenience store, causing chaos by chasing store employees with a knife after his unsuccessful attempt to enter a school and nursery.
Residents shared accounts of the man’s actions, with one resident, Abigail Clegg, mentioning his failed attempts to enter the school and nursery before causing mayhem at the nearby shop. Another resident, William Ramsay, stated that the armed individual possibly injured two people and was later spotted in the stairwell of his building, leading to the deployment of armed police and K-9 units for about two hours.
Due to the incident, an area lockdown prevented some parents from escorting their children to school, as confirmed by local residents witnessing a significant police presence in the vicinity.
Additional footage revealed the man peering out of a window at Cobbinshaw House, smiling at onlookers gathered below.
Police Scotland later declared the incident “contained” and clarified that it was not related to terrorism. Chief Inspector Scott Kennedy reassured the public of no further immediate risks and confirmed ongoing investigations into the matter.
The Scottish Ambulance Service responded with three ambulances, three paramedic response units (PRU), and a special operations response team (SORT) dispatched to the scene, transporting two individuals to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment.
Authorities urged anyone with information or concerns to contact the police, emphasizing continued police presence in the area as inquiries progressed.
