Crowds have gathered in a busy Edinburgh city centre area due a suspected ongoing immigration raid.
Various vans have been spotted parked outside Beirut, on Marshall Street, Nicolson Square, this evening, May 5, with locals spotted protesting the alleged raid. Although officers were pictured outside the restaurant, it is currently unconfirmed if they are involved in the incident.
People were pictured holding up huge banners that read: "No peace for Police Scotland," and "Stop deportations."
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Others have been seen on top of vans parked in the area as there appears to be a growing presence in the busy area.
As well as a growing number of protestors, Lothian Buses have been forced to re-direct services 2 and 47 due to the uncertainty that is mounting due to the incident.
On Twitter, various accounts have alerted Edinburgh locals to the ongoing incident. Edinburgh anti-raids tweeted: "Immigration officers spotted at Nicolson Square near Beirut - please go and see what help can be offered - some general advice on filming and gathering evidence here."
Another user said: "URGENT: The immigration are in Beirut Restaurant on Nicolson Street attempting to remove staff. Please get down there to block the van and stop the removal."
As mentioned, it is unconfirmed if staff from Beirut were being removed by officers, but they were in the same area as the Lebanese restaurant.
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, f*** the police."
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 have also been contacted for comment.
Edinburgh Live will bring you more on this breaking incident as we get it.
