The police in Scotland arrested a 36-year-old man on Friday night after a series of attacks across Edinburgh that left five men injured, the authorities said.
As the authorities investigated the motive behind the rampage, advocacy groups in Scotland identified some of the victims as Muslims.
In a statement on social media, the Muslim Council of Britain said that the attack was a consequence of “rhetoric that demonizes entire communities.”
“The Muslim community is rightly nervous and worried,” the statement added. “To our community: Stay vigilant, stay united, look out for one another, and please report any Islamophobic hate crimes.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer of Britain said on social media that the man involved in the attacks “appears to be motivated by anti-Muslim hatred” and will face “the full force of the law.”
Counter Terrorism Policing Scotland is leading the investigation though the authorities have not said whether they believe the attacks are related to terrorism.
The authorities have not publicly identified the man or announced any charges. They said they believe there is no further threat to the public.
The police received a report around 8:50 p.m. of an attack in the Sighthill area of Edinburgh, the police said in a news release. Officers found two injured men, who were both taken to a hospital, the police said.
Over the next 40 minutes, officers received reports of attacks in the western and northern part of the city, including in the Telford Road and Leith Walk areas. The police found three more victims.
The five men, ages 22 to 39, had injuries that the police did not describe in detail. Three required hospital treatment. None of the injuries were life-threatening, the police said.
The police are investigating the attacks as being linked.
“I want to send a clear message of support to all our communities that there is no place for racism or faith-based hate in a Scotland which is at its best when we stand together,” Catriona Paton, the assistant chief constable for Police Scotland, said in the news release.
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