Prime Minister Keir Starmer has condemned a series of violent attacks in Edinburgh on Friday evening that left five men injured, stating the suspect appears to be driven by "anti-Muslim hatred." Counter-terrorism officers have been called in to investigate, and Police Scotland confirmed a 36-year-old white Scottish man has been arrested, with no further threat to the public.
Details of the Attacks
Officers were dispatched to the Sighthill area of Edinburgh at approximately 8:50 pm on Friday after reports of an incident where two men were injured. Police subsequently received further reports of attacks targeting retailers across the west and north of the city. The victims—two aged 22, and others aged 24, 27, and 39—sustained a range of injuries, with three requiring hospital treatment. None of the injuries are considered life-threatening, according to Police Scotland. The Muslim Engagement and Development (Mend) organisation confirmed that several of the victims are Muslim.
Starmer's Response
Sir Keir Starmer posted on X, sharing an image of a bare-chested man wielding a large weapon, writing: "Absolutely appalling. No one should face violence on our streets. 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."
Witness Videos and Police Action
Videos circulating online showed a bare-chested white man wandering the streets of Edinburgh carrying a large weapon, while another clip appeared to show a man hammering on the door of a pizzeria. Officers cordoned off Leith Walk as the situation developed, and further footage showed a topless man on the ground shouting that he is "protecting the country" while being restrained by an officer.
Political Condemnation
Scottish First Minister John Swinney also denounced the violence on X, writing: "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." Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood described herself as "horrified" by the violence, which appeared "to be motivated by anti-Muslim hatred." She added: "There is no place for hatred and violence against Muslims. I know it is not who we are as a country."
Police Statements
Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Catriona Paton branded the attacks "shocking" and expressed her thoughts for those injured. She 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. Officers responded to multiple reports of a fast-moving sequence of events across Edinburgh before arresting a man and public safety was our priority." The force is collaborating with Counter Terrorism Policing and operating under the direction of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. Paton thanked officers for their bravery and professionalism and urged anyone with information to share it via the Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP).
Government Response
Scottish Government's Justice Secretary Neil Gray said: "These attacks were awful and my thoughts are with those who were injured and affected by them. 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. 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."
