Anti-Muslim hate crime inquiry after Edinburgh attacks injure five, Police Scotland says

Counterterrorism detectives in Scotland were examining a series of assaults in Edinburgh after five people were hurt in incidents police said appeared to target Muslims. Police Scotland said the attacks were reported across the west and north of the city. A 36-year-old man was arrested late on Friday as inquiries continued into the reported violence.

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Police said five men were injured, including two aged 22 and others aged 24, 27 and 39. Three people needed hospital care, according to the force. Police added that no injury was thought to be life-threatening. Police Scotland said officers received multiple reports before making the arrest.

Edinburgh attacks and Police Scotland counterterrorism investigation

Police Scotland said Counter Terrorism Policing was supporting officers after what Assistant Chief Constable Catriona Paton called "a shocking incident\". \"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 Scotland, which is at its best when we stand together,\" Paton said.

The charity Muslim Engagement and Development said several of the injured people are Muslim. The Scottish Association of Mosques said two men were assaulted after they attended prayers at their local mosque. Police have not released further details about the victims, but said work was ongoing to understand what happened.

Edinburgh attacks and anti-Muslim hatred concerns

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the suspect appeared to have been driven by anti-Muslim hatred. \"I will not tolerate this – he will face the full force of the law,\" Starmer said in a post on X. UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the reports left Mahmood \"horrified\".

\"There is no place for hatred and violence against Muslims. I know it is not who we are as a country,\" Mahmood said. The Muslim Council of Britain said the Muslim community was \"rightly nervous and worried\". The group also said the violence followed political rhetoric that demonises entire communities.

Edinburgh attacks videos and police response

Videos shared on social media appeared to show a shirtless man walking along a street with a long weapon. One clip seemed to show the man striking a restaurant door in the Scottish capital. Another video appeared to show the same person on the ground while a police officer restrained the man.

In that second video, the man appeared to shout about protecting the country, as the officer held the man down. Police Scotland did not confirm the videos, but said officers acted after receiving multiple reports. The force said investigations were continuing across the affected parts of Edinburgh.

Police said the arrested man remained central to the investigation, while officers reviewed reports and evidence from the city. Police Scotland said the five victims suffered different injuries, and three required hospital treatment. Leaders and community groups repeated calls against hate, as counterterrorism support continued in Edinburgh.

With inputs from PTI