Police Scotland said a 36-yr-old man has been charged in connection with a series of attacks in Edinburgh that UK prime minister Keir Starmer said appeared to be motivated by “anti-Muslim hatred.”
Counter-terrorism officers were brought in to investigate the attacks across Edinburgh on Friday which left five people injured, reports Breaking News.
The force said on Saturday a white Scottish man had been arrested.
It said late on Saturday night: “A 36-year-old man has been charged in connection with a number of incidents which took place in Edinburgh on Friday, 19 June, 2026, reports Breaking News.
“A report has been submitted to the procurator fiscal, and the individual will appear at court in due course.”
Starmer posted on X saying: “Absolutely appalling. No one should face violence on our streets, reports Breaking News.
“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,” reports Breaking News.
Footage posted online showed a bare-chested white man roaming the streets of Edinburgh with a large weapon, while another clip appeared to show a man battering the door of a pizzeria.
Police closed off Leith Walk on Friday evening as the incidents unfolded and another video appeared to show a topless man on the ground shouting that he is “protecting the country” as he was held by an officer, reports Breaking News.
Scottish First Minister John Swinney also condemned the violence, 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,” reports Breaking News.
Officers were called to a report of an incident in the Sighthill area of the city, where two men were injured, at around 8.50pm on Friday.
Police said they then received reports about incidents around retailers across the west and north of the city, reports Breaking News.
The force said that during this period three other men were allegedly attacked in the Telford Road and Leith Walk area.
Police said that five men — two aged 22, and others aged 24, 27 and 39 — sustained a range of injuries, with three needing hospital treatment, though none of the injuries are life-threatening, reports Breaking News.
A man who was working at the Shell garage on Telford Road said he, a colleague and a customer heard noise outside and stayed inside the shop, locking the doors as the incident unfolded.
Uday Kiran Naga told the Press Association: “We closed the door and I locked the door. It was very, very scary, reports Breaking News.
“We called the police and I think people outside called the police.
“The police came very quickly, two or three vehicles,” reports Breaking News.
He said people in the area had been left shocked by the incident, adding: “Customers are coming in saying it’s scary, it’s incredible. Nothing like this has happened before.”
Several of the victims are Muslim, according to the Muslim Engagement and Development organisation, reports Breaking News.
Police said the 36-year-old man was detained at around 9.30pm on Friday.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said she was “horrified” by the violence, which appeared “to be motivated by anti-Muslim hatred,” while Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Catriona Paton described it as a “shocking” incident and said her thoughts were with those injured and most directly affected, reports Breaking News.
Mahmood said she was “grateful” to the 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,” reports Breaking News.
Chris Murray, the Labour MP for Edinburgh East and Musselburgh, said he had been in touch with Mahmood and mosques in the area to ensure they had security in place, posting on X: “Everyone in Edinburgh stands with the Muslim community today.”
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, reports Breaking News.
“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,” reports Breaking News.
The force said it is working with Counter Terrorism Policing and under the direction of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.
She added: “I want to thank our officers who responded with bravery and professionalism, and with a focus on protecting the public, reports Breaking News.
“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,” reports Breaking News.
A Major Incident Public Portal has been set up to encourage members of the public to submit information directly to officers, with police appealing to anyone with relevant information to upload it using 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, reports Breaking News.
“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, reports Breaking News.
“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,” reports Breaking News.
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