CCTV shows moments leading to arrest after Edinburgh 'anti-Muslim' attacks in Leith

CCTV footage shows the moment leading up to an arrest after a series of alleged anti-Muslim attacks in Edinburgh which left five people injured.

Emergency services received multiple calls about violent assaults, including threats, robbery and vandalism across the city on Friday.

The first report was received at around 8.50pm after two men were attacked near Broomhouse Mosque, in the Sighthill area.

June 19 attacks in Edinburgh: 1. Before 8.50pm two men stabbed near Broomhouse Mosque. 2. Incident at the Shell garage on Telford Road. 3. Incident at the BP garage on Ferry Road. 4. Three people injured on Leith Walk where a man is arrested STV News

A taxi was vandalised at a Shell petrol station on Telford Road, Edinburgh.

Afterwards, a video appeared to show a man brandishing a blade at a petrol station.

Footage then emerged online, appearing to show a bare-chested man carrying a weapon and attacking a pizza shop on Leith Walk.

A taxi was vandalised at a Shell petrol station on Telford Road, Edinburgh Fife Jammer Locations

In CCTV footage shared with STV News, a black car can be seen appearing to swerve over the cycle lane on Leith Walk before the topless man is seen running from the vehicle towards passers-by.

He then returns to the car for a period of time before exiting as a person walks past. He then appears to run at the person from behind and striking him to the head with a weapon.

The man was seen attacking shops on Leith Walk Fife Jammer Locations

The man approaches the CCTV camera and appears to be wielding two blades.

After disappearing out of frame, he returns once again to smash the windows of a shop.

In a second angle, a delivery cyclist is seen going past before the man appears to knock him off the bike and hit him with a weapon a number of times.

The man is then seen throwing the weapons to the floor as police arrive. He gets on his knees and places his hands behind his back before being arrested.

In total, the five men injured, two aged 22, and others aged 24, 27, and 39, sustained a “range of injuries” and three required hospital treatment.

However, none of the injuries are life-threatening.

Another video online shows a man being held on the ground as he shouts he is “trying to protect his country”.

Police Scotland says counter terrorism officers are investigating supported by other specialist colleagues and local policing officers.

A 36-year-old Scottish white man has been charged in connection and is due to appear in court on Monday.

‘Absolutely appalling’

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer posted on X, linking to an image of a bare-chested man carrying a large weapon, saying: “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.”

Muslim group MEND posted on Facebook that several of the men attacked were Muslim and say police must treat this “as what the evidence indicates Islamophobic, far right terror”.

Firsr Minister John Swinney said in a post on social media he is “deeply concerned” by these incidents.

“There is no place for violence, racism or intolerance in our country,” he added.

“I met community groups last week to assure them of the strong support of the Government.”

The British Muslim Trust posted on X, saying “they are deeply concerned by the shocking attacks in Edinburgh”, adding, “these incidents will send shockwaves through Muslim communities.

“Through our work supporting victims and monitoring anti-Muslim hostility, we consistently hear from people who tell us they are fearful, anxious and increasingly concerned for their safety.

“Attacks such as these will only deepen that distress and reinforce the sense of vulnerability felt by many. No one should live in fear because of their faith or perceived identity.

“Our thoughts are with those affected. We urge the police in Scotland to thoroughly investigate this terrifying incident and for the government to ensure Muslim communities are protected.

“Anti-Muslim hostility does not exist in a vacuum. When prejudice and hostility are normalised, they create the conditions in which violence becomes more likely.

“We cannot afford to ignore these warning signs.

“Anti-Muslim hostility has real-world consequences, and it must be confronted before acts of violence like this become normalised, leaving Muslim communities living in fear.”