Police in Edinburgh are hunting six men in dark clothing after a man was allegedly stabbed in a broad daylight attack.
Emergency services were scrambled to Albert Street in the Leith area of the capital after reports of a man being found seriously injured at around 2.20pm on Tuesday. Several police cars and ambulance crews were seen speeding through Easter Road on their way to the scene.
A 30-year-old was rushed to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment. His condition is not yet known.
An eyewitness told Edinburgh Live they overheard police on the radio describe the incident as a "stabbing", with an officer allegedly confirming it to them shortly after. They said: "There is a massive police presence on Albert Street. They were flying through Easter Road just ten minutes ago."
Another person said: “I just looked out of my window and saw the police cars and tape outside. Not sure what happened but it looks very serious.”
Cops launched a probe into the attack and their initial investigations have established that a group of around six men in dark clothing were seen in the area at the time. The force are keen to trace the group and also wish to speak with any eyewitnesses and have urged anyone with any information to come forward.
Detective Inspector Martin Smith said: “Our enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances and we are appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time to contact officers.
“Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident 1853 of July 11. Alternatively, details can be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
A spokesperson from the Scottish Ambulance Service said: “We received a call on Tuesday at 2.22pm to attend an incident on Albert Street in Edinburgh.
"We dispatched one ambulance and a 3RU unit to the scene. We transported one male patient in his 20s to New Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.”
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.