Edinburgh Shop Staff Barricade Themselves During Alleged Knife Attack
Staff at a Calder Park Premier store in Edinburgh were forced to barricade themselves in a back room after a man allegedly armed with knives entered the premises, sparking a major police incident that lasted over five hours. The terrifying ordeal resulted in two people being hospitalised with serious injuries and prompted local schools to implement lockdown procedures as a precautionary measure.
"Terrified and Shocked" Employees Lock Themselves In
Shop owner Asif Hussain received an alert on his CCTV app at approximately 8.24am on Monday, March 2, indicating unusual activity at his Calder Park Premier store. Speaking to Edinburgh Live, Hussain explained that his staff called him just as he was preparing to review the footage, informing him that a man appeared to be creating a disturbance inside the shop. The employees had already taken refuge in the rear area, locking themselves in for safety.
"That's the protocol, if anything like that happens you get in the back and lock yourself in," Hussain stated. "A few of the customers ran in the back as well and they just held the door so he couldn't get through. He came in and smashed everything behind the counter, the tills, everything."
Violent Confrontation and Police Standoff
What unfolded next was deeply unsettling. Police reported that a man sustained injuries believed to be from a stabbing, while a woman was also hurt in the vicinity. Both individuals were taken to hospital with serious injuries. According to Hussain, "There was a customer hiding at the back of the store and she ran to the front. He's then chased her at the front of the store and she was then left injured. Luckily, thank god, she managed to escape and ran outside the shop."
The suspect allegedly fled the shop and made his way to the rear, where he encountered the neighbouring cafe owner while reportedly carrying multiple bladed weapons. The individual then entered Cobbinshaw House South, barricading himself inside a top-floor flat. This triggered a tense five-hour standoff with police, who cordoned off the entire block. Specially-trained firearms officers were deployed to the scene, and local schools went into lockdown as a safety measure.
Community Support and Aftermath
Hussain arrived at the shop around 8.45am to find the area swarming with police. "My staff were just completely shocked," he recalled. "I saw the injured woman inside the shop. I saw her in the ambulance outside and she was quite badly injured. She just burst out crying when she seen me. She's a good customer of ours."
Following the incident, the local community rallied to support Hussain in getting the business operational again. "We're really thankful to the locals," he explained. "A lot of locals came in and helped us clean the store. There was glass everywhere." Hussain, who inherited the shop from his father, estimates repair costs will exceed £2,500. His father established the business three decades ago.
"We've been here so long and this is probably a one-off incident," Hussain continued. "It just shows how retailers especially are really vulnerable. It makes you think, you need more security."
Police Response and Reassurance
Chief Inspector Scott Kennedy commented on the incident, stating: "I'd like to thank the public for their assistance and patience whilst we dealt with this incident. I understand what happened was alarming for the local community and I want to reassure the public there is no ongoing wider risk. However, if you do have concerns please speak to the officers at the scene or call us on 101."
Ultimately, police managed to enter the flat and detain the suspect, who was led from the property through the rear entrance. Hussain expressed relief that no one from his store was majorly injured, emphasising his primary concern for staff and customers over the material damage caused during the chaotic episode.
