Counter-terror police launch investigation after ‘bare-chested man goes on anti-Muslim rampage’ in Edinburgh – as 36-year-old is charged and Sir Keir Starmer condemns ‘appalling’ attack

Counter-terror police have launched a probe and a 36-year-old white man has been charged in connection with an alleged ‘anti-Muslim’ rampage in Edinburgh. 

Five men have been injured in a series of suspected anti-Muslim attacks which are believed to have taken place across the city. 

Police Scotland has said none of the injuries sustained are believed to be life threatening. Two of those injured are 22, while the others are aged, 24, 27 and 39.

Two of the men are said to have been injured near the Broomhouse mosque, in west Edinburgh, and were later taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, the BBC reported. 

Sir Keir Starmer has since taken to X to denounce the recent incidents as ‘absolutely appalling’.

The Prime Minister wrote: ‘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.’

Police first responded to the incident at around 8.50pm on Friday in what they described as a ‘fast moving sequence of events’.  

Footage has emerged on social media showing what appeared to be a topless man vandalising a petrol station on Telford Road and carrying a weapon. 

The footage, taken several miles away from the mosque, showed a taxi with smashed windows as well as police officers present. 

Images indicated that a hand axe as well as broken glass could be seen in a seat of the vehicle. 

Meanwhile, several other videos were published online appearing to show the same individual causing chaos in other areas of the city. 

CCTV showed the shirtless man near a black vehicle which had a smashed windscreen before entering a petrol station on Ferry Road. 

After entering the petrol station, he could be seen walking around multiple times before pushing shelves down, leaving items scattered across the floor.

Then, people could be seen fleeing Origano pizzeria on Leith Walk as the man approached with panicked staff quickly closing the shutters.   

The man could be seen hitting the door with a weapon several times before walking away. 

An individual could also be seen approaching a car stopped at a nearby junction.

A separate video emerged online suggesting a heavy police presence as well as ambulances on the scene as bystanders watched on behind police tape.

Paramedics could be seen treating a clothed man on the ground who appeared to have his arm in a sling. 

Another clip appeared to show a police officer holding a bare chested man on the ground, who was yelling profanities as well as saying he is ‘protecting the country’.

A 36-year-old white man has since been taken into custody as Police Scotland and counter terrorism police work together in an ongoing investigation. 

John Swinney, Scotland’s First Minister, said he was ‘deeply concerned’ by the incident. 

He said: ‘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.’

Omar Afzal, spokesman for the Scottish Association of Mosques (SAM), said there was a ‘profound sense of shock, alarm and anger’ across the Muslim communities in Edinburgh and Scotland.

He said his organisation has encouraged communities to ‘remain vigilant but not alarmed, to continue looking out for one another, and to report any suspicious or hostile behaviour’ to the police.

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

Meanwhile, the Muslim Council of Britain has said their community was concerned and ‘rightly worried’. 

A spokesperson said: ‘This incident comes not long after racist pogroms on the streets of Belfast that targeted minority families, and is a direct consequence of political rhetoric that demonises entire communities.

‘To our community: stay vigilant, look out for one another, and please report any Islamophobic hate crimes to the police.’

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: ‘A 36-year old man has been arrested following a series of incidents at a number of locations across the West of Edinburgh, and Leith, during the evening of Friday, 19 June.

‘Four people were injured and taken to hospital for treatment. Enquiries are ongoing, however, we believe there to be no further risk to the public at this time. Members of the public are thanked for their assistance.’

Assistant Chief Constable Catriona Paton said: ‘This was a shocking attack and my first thoughts are with those who were injured and most directly affected. 

‘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. 

‘We are being supported by Counter Terrorism Policing and working under the direction of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. 

‘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. We have established a major incident police portal.’ 

Anyone with information has been urged to submit information using an online form which can be found here. 

The incident comes just months after two Jewish men were stabbed in Golders Green, London, and just weeks after a Sudanese man was arrested following a horror street attack in Belfast on local man Stephen Ogilvie.

The victim lost his eye after being attacked with a knife, and the incident led to mass riots across Northern Ireland and anti-migrant protests even reaching Glasgow.

In the Edinburgh incident, horrified locals started calling emergency services around 8.50pm on Friday when a bare-chested man was seen prowling the streets allegedly carrying a machete and an axe, shouting racist statements.

It is understood two men, who were members of the Muslim community, were injured close to Broomhouse mosque in the west of Edinburgh and were later taken to the city’s Royal Infirmary. A second incident was reported several miles away at a petrol station on Telford Road, where a taxi was smashed up.

Images of the aftermath show an axe inside the back seat of the vehicle, covered in broken glass.

Footage on social media appears to show a man then attacking the door of a pizza shop on Leith Walk, before officers arrived and pinned him to the ground.

Onlookers reported hearing racist language being shouted, with a video showing a topless man on the ground saying ‘enough is enough’ and he was ‘protecting the country’ from Muslims.

Police confirmed a ’36-year-old white Scottish man was arrested and there is no further threat to the public.’

The force has set up Operation Woodside to investigate the attacks and has appealed to the public for help.

Labour MSP for Edinburgh and Lothians East Irshad Ahmed said: ‘What happened was utterly unacceptable.

‘There is no place in our society for hate, racism, discrimination, intimidation, or violence.

‘We will not be divided by those who seek to spread fear, hatred, and disorder. Our communities are stronger than that. We stand together, united in our commitment to respect, safety, and the values that bring us together.’

Alex Cole-Hamilton, leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, added: ‘Hate-fuelled and targeted racial violence has no place in our nation’s capital, it has no place anywhere. I’m glad that a life wasn’t taken but this could have been so much worse.

‘There’s no question that racism has been emboldened and whipped up by senior politicians and online influencers, that reality represents the challenge of our time.

‘It just goes to show the battle for tolerance and multiculturalism is never truly over.’

A Scottish Conservatives spokesman added: ‘Our thoughts are with those injured in this despicable attack.

‘We thank the brave police officers who responded swiftly to protect the public.

‘There is no room for racism or faith-based violence in Scotland. The perpetrator must face the full weight of the law.’