UPDATE: The roads have now reopened and the bomb squad's probe closed.
SEVERAL streets in the centre of Edinburgh have been closed as police investigate “non-hazardous substances” found over the weekend.
On Tuesday afternoon, Police Scotland said that The Pleasance, Cowgate to Guthrie Street, St Mary’s Street to Market Street, and Holyrood to Queen’s Drive will all be shut.
Pedestrians and motorists are asked to avoid the area.
Officers said the closures will be temporary to “allow investigations to continue”. STV reported that a bomb squad had been pictured at the scene.
It comes after police were called to a building on The Pleasance on Sunday afternoon after what officers at the time said was “the discovery of potentially hazardous materials within one of the rooms”.
Officers said on Sunday: “An exclusion area was put around the building which was evacuated as a precaution. Residents were provided shelter.
“It was established the materials were not hazardous.”
Later on Tuesday, at around 7.10pm, police said the roads had reopened and the bomb squad's investigation concluded.
The force said: "Roads around The Pleasance area in Edinburgh have re-opened following the examination of non-hazardous substances found within a building.
"EOD [Explosive Ordnance Disposal] assessed the items and they were found not to be harmful. There was no threat to the wider public.
"Thank you to everyone for their patience."
