Dozens of protestors have gathered in Edinburgh to block Home Office vans from leaving the scene following an alleged immigration raid.
A large crowd remains outside the Beirut restaurant on Marshall Street - close to Nicolson Square - after arriving shortly before 7pm.
Local reports claim the demonstrators have been told that people detained by immigration officers will now be de-arrested.
A call to arms was issued on social media by various activists who encouraged residents to show their support peacefully, Edinburgh Live reports.
Edinburgh anti-raids tweeted: "Immigration officers spotted at Nicolson Square near Beirut - please go and see what help can be offered.”
Another user said: "URGENT: The immigration are in Beirut Restaurant on Nicholson Street attempting to remove staff. Please get down there to block the van and stop the removal."
Police officers have been dispersed to deal with locals gathering on Nicholson Square.
One eyewitness reported seeing over 100 people gathering.
They added: "There are two vans, reportedly immigration vans, from the Government here, one black, one silver, protestors are jumping on top of them screaming: "no justice, no peace."
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Around 6.45pm on Thursday, 5 May, 2022, police were made aware of a group of people gathering on Potterrow, Edinburgh.
“Officers are at the scene."
The Home Office has since hit out at what it branded an "unacceptable" intervention by the public on one of its operations.
It has confirmed that two people were found to have been in breach of immigration laws and were placed on immigration bail.
A spokesperson said: “It is unacceptable for people to attempt to block legitimate actions of law enforcement as they work to remove those with no right to live or work in the UK.
“Through our Nationality and Borders Act we are taking steps to fix the broken system to make it fair to those in genuine need and firm on those who seek to abuse it.
"An operation was carried out in Edinburgh [yesterday] and to suggest that protesters had an impact on the outcome is wrong.”
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