Edinburgh man arrested after spending hours on flat roof as emergency services called to scene
A man was arrested after spending several hours on the roof of a block of flats in south Edinburgh.
A man has been arrested after spending several hours on the roof of a block of flats in south Edinburgh, prompting a major emergency services response.
Police officers, firefighters and specialist ambulance crews were called to Southhouse Square at around 12.15pm on Tuesday, October 27, after a man climbed onto the roof of a residential building.
Officers had attended the property in connection with an outstanding warrant before the man was reported to be on the roof.
The incident saw several emergency service vehicles descend on the area, including a high-reach fire appliance, a Scottish Ambulance Service Special Operations Response Team (SORT) vehicle and multiple police vehicles.
Residents reported that the man remained on the roof for several hours as emergency crews responded to the incident.
One local resident described the moment emergency services arrived, saying: “I was just sat in my house chilling when loads of fire engines, ambulances and police cars and vans sped down the street.”
Another resident said: “There was a guy on the roof surrounded by police below. He had been up there for hours.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 12.15pm on Tuesday, 27 October, 2026 officers attended at a property in Southhouse Square, Edinburgh, in relation to an outstanding warrant.
“A short time later a man was reported to be on the roof of the building.
“Emergency services attended and the man was arrested in connection. There were no reported injuries.”
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service also confirmed it had been called to assist emergency service partners.
A spokesperson said: “We were called to assist emergency service partners at 12.23 Southhouse Crescent.
“Operations control mobilised several appliances including a height appliance and specialist resources.”
The man was subsequently arrested in connection with the incident and that no injuries were reported.