‘Explosives’ raid leads to man’s arrest at city flat

A POSSIBLE explosive substance was being analysed by specialist police officers last night after they raided a flat in Edinburgh in broad daylight.

The operation, which led to a 34-year-old man being detained, followed a tip-off from intelligence units.

A top floor flat in the Wester Hailes area was searched by officers and members of the army’s bomb disposal unit in the early afternoon after what police have described as “an intelligence-led” search.

Local residents described frenzied scenes as officers arrived at the property.

Yesterday evening, police vans and bomb disposal teams remained on stand-by at the property.

Officers have confirmed that there was no imminent danger to local residents and have said the incident was not part of a wider investigation.

A Lothian and Borders police spokesman said last night: “Police have detained a 34-year-old man following an intelligence-led search at a property in Dumbryden Gardens, in the Wester Hailes area of Edinburgh, earlier today.

“Officers discovered a suspicious substance while within the property, and an army team were called to help establish whether or not the substance was dangerous.

“Inquiries are ongoing in relation to the recovered substance.

“Police can confirm that there was no danger to local residents or other members of the public and that the search was not related to any ongoing or future policing operations,” the spokesman added.