A 30-year-old woman has been arrested and charged after an unknown substance was discovered on a lamppost in Edinburgh. The incident was reported on the evening of Thursday, August 20, after officers were alerted to items being placed on a lamppost on Morningside Road.
Road closure and emergency response
A road closure was put in place while emergency services attended the scene and the substance was removed. Police and firefighters were present, while public transport services in the area were disrupted and a cordon was erected around the lamppost.
The substance was tested and found to pose no threat to the public, though it remains unclear what it was.
Arrest and court appearance
The woman has been charged in connection with culpable and reckless conduct. She is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court at a later date.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “On the evening of Thursday, 20 August, 2026, a further report was made about items being placed on a lamppost in the Morningside Road area of Edinburgh.
“A short closure was put in place while this was removed and further tests are being carried out on the substance to establish exactly what has been used. However, it was found to pose no further threat to the public.
“A 30-year-old woman has been arrested and charged in connection with culpable and reckless conduct.
“She is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court at a later date.”
