Edinburgh streets locked down as man arrested over car crashing into building

A man has been arrested after a car crashed into a building in an incident which saw part of Edinburgh city centre locked down.

The 33-year-old was detained in connection with road traffic offences following a collision in the capital's Hanover Street today, Friday, January 2, 2026.

A vehicle struck scaffolding surrounding a building, damaging the vehicle and scaffolding and leaving glass strewn across the pavement.

The drama unfolded just before 3pm on the street, which connects the city's busy Queen Street with Princes Street.

A portion of Queen Street was also cordoned off, with buses, other motorists and told to take alternative routes as the area was off limits.

A number of police officers and firefighters were stationed at the cordon after being scrambled to the scene.

Police officers told members of the public that the street had been locked down "as a precaution".

A blue vehicle was pictured at the scene with a smashed rear windscreen, and glass could be seen inside the vehicle and on the pavement next to the scaffolding.

The vehicle was later removed from the scene by a 911 recover truck which arrived just after 4pm.

Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service have been approached for comment.

A post on the Police Scotland Edinburgh Facebook page said: "Hanover Street and Queen Street in Edinburgh have reopened after a car collided with a scaffold, causing it to become insecure.

"It was reported to police around 2.40pm on Friday, 2 January, 2026. There are no reported injuries.

"A section of footway on Hanover Street remains closed. A 33-year-old man has been arrested in connection with road traffic offences and enquiries are ongoing."