The centre of Edinburgh has been transformed into a 'mini war zone' as riot police and a helicopter hunt for a man thought to be on a roof in the city's Old Town. More than 50 officers wearing balaclavas and shields were deployed to Cockburn Street - near to where a shooting was earlier reported. Crowds gathered as police, accompanied by sniffer dogs, searched The Scotsman building floor by floor with the chopper circling overhead. Scroll down for video . Standstill: The centre of Edinburgh has been been overrun by police officers responding to a report of a man on a roof . A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: 'Police and the fire service are in attendance to trace a man reported to be on a roof in Edinburgh city centre. The police helicopter has been deployed and a cordon is in places to ensure public safety.' They have refused to comment on speculation there had been an earlier shooting, but did confirm there was an 'ongoing incident'. One witness told The Scotsman: 'The helicopter has been circling for more than an hour shining its search light down over the tops of buildings. More than 50 officers wearing balaclavas and shields were deployed to Cockburn Street - near to where a shooting was earlier reported . 'The police have been warning us all to stay back.' Some onlookers took to Twitter to describe the chaotic scene. Rudra Kapila wrote: 'Area is mini war zone'. Abbie Jessie then added: 'All the streets have been blocked of by police and helicopters.' Lockdown: A police helicopter beams its light on to Cockburn Street where crowds gathered . Police refused to comment on speculation there had been an earlier shooting, but did confirm there was an 'ongoing incident'
50 riot officers frantically search The Scotsman building on Cockburn Street .
Police say they are looking for a man on a roof in the city centre .
The chaotic scene is close to where a shooting was reported earlier .
The centre of Edinburgh has been transformed into a 'mini war zone' as riot police and a helicopter hunt for a man thought to be on a roof in the city's Old Town. More than 50 officers wearing balaclavas and shields were deployed to Cockburn Street - near to where a shooting was earlier reported. Crowds gathered as police, accompanied by sniffer dogs, searched The Scotsman building floor by floor with the chopper circling overhead. Scroll down for video . Standstill: The centre of Edinburgh has been been overrun by police officers responding to a report of a man on a roof . A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: 'Police and the fire service are in attendance to trace a man reported to be on a roof in Edinburgh city centre. The police helicopter has been deployed and a cordon is in places to ensure public safety.' They have refused to comment on speculation there had been an earlier shooting, but did confirm there was an 'ongoing incident'. One witness told The Scotsman: 'The helicopter has been circling for more than an hour shining its search light down over the tops of buildings. More than 50 officers wearing balaclavas and shields were deployed to Cockburn Street - near to where a shooting was earlier reported . 'The police have been warning us all to stay back.' Some onlookers took to Twitter to describe the chaotic scene. Rudra Kapila wrote: 'Area is mini war zone'. Abbie Jessie then added: 'All the streets have been blocked of by police and helicopters.' Lockdown: A police helicopter beams its light on to Cockburn Street where crowds gathered . Police refused to comment on speculation there had been an earlier shooting, but did confirm there was an 'ongoing incident'
hunt for a man thought to be on a roof in the Street - near to where a shooting was earlier by sniffer dogs, searched The Scotsman building city centre. The police helicopter has been to where a shooting was earlier reported . 'The chaotic scene. Rudra Kapila wrote: 'Area is mini