Police have arrested and charged a 30-year-old woman after an ‘unknown substance’ was discovered on a lamppost in Morningside.
Emergency services were called to Morningside Road in Edinburgh around 2pm on Thursday, 20 August, 2026 after two cleansing workers from the council fell ill while removing an “unauthorised sticker” from a lamppost.
The pair attended hospital but have since been discharged.
Following testing, the substance was found to pose no threat to the public.
However, several hours later the emergency services were called out for a second time to Morningside Road following additional reports of an item being placed on a lamppost in the area.
Earlier today officers confirmed that a 30-year-old woman has been arrested and charged in connection with culpable and reckless conduct.
She is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court at a later date.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “On the evening of Thursday, 20 August, 2026, a further report was made about items being placed on a lamppost in the Morningside Road area of Edinburgh.
“A short closure was put in place while this was removed and further tests are being carried out on the substance to establish exactly what has been used. However, it was found to pose no further threat to the public.
“A 30-year-old woman has been arrested and charged in connection with culpable and reckless conduct.
“She is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court at a later date.”
