A man has been charged in connection with a series of attacks in Edinburgh on Friday that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said appeared to be motivated by "anti-Muslim hatred".

Police Scotland said: "A 36-year-old man has been charged in connection with a number of incidents which took place in Edinburgh on Friday June 19 2026.

"A report has been submitted to the procurator fiscal, and the individual will appear at court in due course."

Counter-terrorism officers were brought in to investigate a succession of violent incidents across Edinburgh on Friday, with Police Scotland confirming a 36-year-old white Scottish man had been arrested. The force confirmed there is no further threat to the public.

Officers were deployed following reports of an incident in the Sighthill area of the city, where two men were left injured, at approximately 8.50pm on Friday. Police subsequently received additional reports of incidents targeting retailers across the west and north of the city, reports the Daily Record.

Five men – two aged 22, and others aged 24, 27, and 39 – sustained various injuries. Three required hospital treatment, though none of the injuries are considered life-threatening.

Several of the victims are Muslim, according to the Muslim Engagement and Development (Mend) organisation.

Sir Keir Starmer took to X, sharing an image of a bare-chested man wielding a large weapon, writing: "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."

Footage circulating on social media depicted a bare-chested white man roaming the streets of Edinburgh brandishing a large weapon, while a separate clip appeared to show a man hammering on the door of a pizzeria.

Police cordoned off Leith Walk on Friday evening as events unfolded, with additional footage seemingly showing a topless man on the ground shouting that he is "protecting the country" while being restrained by an officer.

Scottish First Minister John Swinney also condemned the violence in an online post on X, writing: "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."

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood described herself as "horrified" by the violence, which appeared "to be motivated by anti-Muslim hatred", while Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Catriona Paton branded it "shocking", expressing her thoughts for those injured and most directly affected. Ms Mahmood expressed that she was "grateful" to the police and emergency services for their "bravery in apprehending the suspect and for their speedy response in attending to the victims".

She further stated: "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 declared: "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."

The force is working alongside Counter Terrorism Policing and operating under the direction of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. She continued: "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 established to allow members of the public to submit information directly to officers. Police are urging anybody in possession of relevant information to upload it via an online form.

Scottish Government's Justice Secretary Neil Gray stated: "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."