A 36-year-old man has been charged after a rapid series of violent incidents across Edinburgh left five people injured, Police Scotland has confirmed.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the attacks appeared to be driven by “anti-Muslim hatred”.
Counter-terrorism officers were drafted in as investigators worked to piece together what happened across the city on Friday.
Police said the suspect is a white Scottish man, who was arrested and later charged.
“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,” the force said.
“A report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal, and the individual will appear at court in due course,” it added.
In a post on X, Mr Starmer shared a link alongside an image showing a bare-chested man carrying a large weapon. He wrote: “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.”
Scottish First Minister John Swinney also condemned the violence
Online footage circulating during the incidents showed a bare-chested white man moving through Edinburgh streets with a large weapon, while another clip appeared to show a man striking the door of a pizzeria.
As the situation unfolded, officers sealed off Leith Walk. Another video appeared to show a topless man on the ground shouting that he was “protecting the country” as an officer restrained him.
Scottish First Minister John Swinney also criticised the violence in a post on X, 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.”
Police said they were first called at about 8.50pm on Friday to a report in the Sighthill area of the city, where two men were injured.
After that, officers received further reports of incidents involving retailers across the west and north of Edinburgh.
The force said that in the same period three other men were allegedly attacked in the Telford Road and Leith Walk area.
Five men were injured in total – two aged 22, and others aged 24, 27, and 39 – and suffered a range of injuries, police said.
Three required hospital treatment, although none of the injuries are life-threatening.
Several of the victims are Muslim, according to the Muslim Engagement and Development (MEND) organisation.
Police said the 36-year-old man was detained at around 9.30pm on Friday.
‘Shocking’
British 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 “shocking” and said her thoughts were with those injured and most directly affected.
Ms Mahmood said she was “grateful” to 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.”
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.
“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.”
She added: “I want to thank our officers who responded with bravery and professionalism, and with a focus on protecting the public.
“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.”
A Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) has been created to allow members of the public to pass information directly to officers.
Police are urging anyone with information that could help inquiries to submit it through 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.
“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.”
