POLICE were called to Edinburgh’s Portobello Beach yesterday after reports of a “large disturbance”.

Officers were called to the scene at about 3pm, and could be seen breaking up large groups of young people and taking alcohol from sunbathers.

More than 10 police vans and cars were in attendance.

The National:

A spokesperson for Police Scotland said there had been no reports of any injuries.

Later last night, about 7.45pm, police were called to a separate disturbance in the city’s Meadows.

Author Ian Rankin shared a picture of the scene on Twitter, describing it as a “mass brawl”.

Temperatures in the city reached 28 degrees yesterday, leading to big groups out drinking and sunbathing.

The incidents came shortly after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said there had been an increase in Covid-19 cases among people aged 20-40 this week.

She told the Scottish Government's coronavirus briefing: "Around half of the new cases we have seen in the last seven days or so have been in the 20 to 39 age group.

"That's something we've seen in other parts of the world recently, younger age groups, perhaps people more likely to go to pubs and restaurants and meet up with friends, are testing positive in higher numbers."

The First Minister urged people not to be complacent.