Six arrested after Edinburgh man found in Longniddry

demoduck.co.uk editorial team 2026-08-15 17:58 3 min read

Bus lane closure with traffic cones and warning signs on an urban street.

By the demoduck.co.uk newsroom | 15 August 2026

Six people have been arrested in connection with the reported abduction of a 22-year-old man from Canonmills in Edinburgh, Police Scotland has said.

The man was traced in Longniddry the following day and taken to hospital as a precaution. Police described the incident as targeted and said there is no risk to the wider public.

Five men, aged 21, 21, 22, 23 and 45, and a 40-year-old woman have been arrested. Extensive enquiries remain under way, with officers continuing to work in the Longniddry area.

Report in Canonmills followed by recovery in Longniddry

Officers received a report at around 10.30pm on Thursday, 13 August, that a man had been abducted in the Canonmills area of Edinburgh.

The 22-year-old was subsequently traced in the Longniddry area on Friday, 14 August. Police said he was taken to hospital as a precaution but provided no further information about his condition or the circumstances in which he was found.

The confirmed sequence therefore runs from the initial report in Canonmills on Thursday night to the man being located in Longniddry on Friday. Police have not established a motive publicly or explained the connection between the two locations. Those details remain part of the continuing investigation.

The arrests cover six people, but the police statement does not provide further details about the circumstances in which they were detained. The force said only that extensive enquiries are ongoing.

Six arrested after Edinburgh man found in Longniddry

Police assess incident as targeted

Police Scotland said officers believe the reported abduction was a targeted incident and that there is no risk to the wider public. That assessment is intended to reassure residents while investigative work continues in Longniddry.

Detective Inspector Robbie Wallace acknowledged the concern the case may cause, saying: “We understand an incident of this nature will be concerning but please be assured our enquiries are ongoing.”

He said police will remain in the Longniddry area during the investigation. Anyone with concerns or information can approach the officers deployed there. The continuing police presence does not change the force’s stated assessment that the incident was targeted.

A198 closure and police appeal

The A198 remains closed between Coal Road and the junction for Cunningham Court, with a diversion in place. Police Scotland did not provide a reopening time or details of the diversion route in its statement.

Drivers planning to use that section of the A198 should therefore allow for the continuing closure and follow the diversion in place. The absence of a confirmed reopening time means the duration of the disruption remains uncertain.

Anyone with information about the incident, or concerns they wish to raise, can contact Police Scotland on 101. Callers should quote incident number 3944 of Thursday, 13 August, 2026.

Source: Police Scotland News

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This report follows the chronology, arrest details, public-risk assessment and travel information published by Police Scotland.

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