PC hurt tackling a knifeman in capital

A POLICEMAN was yesterday taken to hospital following an armed struggle in Edinburgh city centre.

The officer suffered a shoulder injury after approaching a man who had been acting strangely in the Mound area.

The man pulled out a knife and struggled with police before he was Tasered and brought under control.

Both the policeman and attacker were taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary after the incident at 5.15pm yesterday evening.

The man with the knife, whose identity has not yet been released by officers, has been taken into police custody.

Princes Street was closed to westbound traffic because of the armed struggle, causing chaos f or commuters.

Trams ran a limited service from Edinburgh Airport to Shandwick Place only while the road was closed.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: ‘At around 5.15pm on Friday, July 4, armed response officers who were on routine patrol in the city centre observed a male in the Mound area whose behaviour gave them cause for concern.

‘After being approached, the male became aggressive and presented a knife before struggling with police.

‘Taser was deployed to bring the male under control before he was taken to the ERI for assessment, where he is detained in police custody.

‘One officer sustained an injury to his shoulder during the incident and has also been taken to hospital for treatment.’