Police have rushed to the scene of an incident on one of the Capital's most historic streets as motorists were urged to avoid the area.
Officers have converged on Bank Street in the Old Town amid reports of an ongoing operation.
The road has been closed in both directions while emergency teams respond to the incident.
Eyewitnesses reported observing officers going "in and out" of a tenement stairwell on the street before taping off the pavement to pedestrians.
Public transport services have been diverted from The Mound and George IV Bridge while drivers have been encouraged to avoid attempting to travel on the road at all costs.
Lothian services to and from the area are subject to delays while the incident is ongoing.
The transport operator warned the 23, 27, 41 and 42 buses were being affected as a result of the closure.
A Lothian Buses statement read: “Due to a road closure buses are unable to serve part of Hanover Street, The Mound and George IV Bridge and are instead diverted via George Street, Princes Street, North Bridge, South Bridge and Chambers Street in both directions until further notice.”
