Five men have been injured in a series of suspected anti-Muslim attacks across Edinburgh after a man armed with a weapon allegedly targeted multiple locations across the city.
A 36-year-old white man has been arrested following what Police Scotland described as a “fast-moving sequence of events” on Friday evening. Counter-terrorism officers have joined local detectives in the ongoing investigation.
The incidents began near a mosque in the Broomhouse area of western Edinburgh at around 8.50pm, where two men were injured.
Further attacks were then reported several miles away on Telford Road and Leith Walk.
Police said five men aged 22, 22, 24, 27 and 39 sustained injuries during the incidents. None of the injuries are believed to be life-threatening.
Investigators are examining whether the attacks were motivated by anti-Muslim hatred.
MEND Scotland, a Muslim engagement organisation, said several of the victims were members of the Muslim community.
Footage shared on social media appears to show the same suspect carrying a weapon while moving between multiple locations across the city.
Video from a Shell petrol station on Telford Road showed a taxi with smashed windows, while images from the scene appeared to show a hand axe inside the damaged vehicle.
Additional footage appeared to show a man entering a petrol station kiosk on Ferry Road and knocking shelves to the floor before leaving.
At another location on Leith Walk, members of the public were seen running as a man approached Origano pizzeria carrying a weapon. Staff closed security shutters as the suspect repeatedly struck the glass doors before moving away.
Other footage appeared to show the suspect approaching vehicles and causing further disorder in the area.
The incident ended after armed police confronted and detained the suspect. Officers equipped with Tasers restrained the man, although the devices were not discharged.
One video circulating online appears to show the suspect shouting that he was “protecting the country” while being held on the ground by officers.
Assistant Chief Constable Catriona Paton described the incidents as a “shocking attack”.
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.”
Paton confirmed extensive inquiries remain under way to establish the full circumstances surrounding the attacks.
First Minister John Swinney said he was “deeply concerned” by the incidents.
“There is no place for violence, racism or intolerance in our country,” he said.
The Muslim Council of Britain also condemned the attacks, stating that members of the Muslim community were “rightly nervous and worried”.
The organisation said the incident would heighten concerns among minority communities and urged victims of Islamophobic abuse to report offences to police.
Ben Macpherson, SNP MSP for Edinburgh North Eastern and Leith, said residents would be “appalled” by the violence and stressed that Edinburgh’s diversity remained one of the city’s greatest strengths.
Police have appealed for witnesses and anyone with relevant footage or information to come forward as investigations continue.