A major search took place last night after a prisoner who was being escorted escaped. 

Locals reported seeing armed officers with search dogs in Craigleith as they carried out their search. 

Officers were also seen in the grounds of the Western General Hospital, where it is understood the prisoner escaped from. 

One resident said: “They searched all the gardens on our street with dogs. All the ones on the side of the Western General.

“I had no idea what was going on. The police were coming from all directions.

“It was like they had the hospital surrounded. From where I was I could see they had two police dogs out searching the grounds of the hospital and there were officers with guns.”

Last night a Scottish Prison Service spokesperson said: “We can confirm an individual escaped from the custody of prison staff, while on escort in Edinburgh, at around 5pm.

“Police Scotland were called immediately and enquiries are ongoing.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We were made aware that an individual escaped from the custody of prison staff, while on escort in Edinburgh, at around 5pm yesterday. Enquiries are ongoing.”